Edinburgh's lost supermarket chain that locals still miss today

As food and energy bills continue to rise, many households in the capital are grappling with inflation rates that hark back to the 1970s.

It was during these challenging times that a supermarket success story emerged from Edinburgh, boasting 65 stores across the country by the late 1980s.

For over two decades, Capital Foods reigned as Edinburgh's premier frozen food specialist, offering a wide range of products from frozen meat, fish, vegetables, ready meals and desserts to chilled items like milk, eggs, bacon, sausages, pies, pizzas, fruit and juices.

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The supermarket chain not only created many of its own unique products but also stocked well-known frozen food brands such as Bernard Matthews, Birds Eye, Ross, Findus, and Lyons Maid.

Above all, it was known for selling high-quality products at affordable prices.

Capital Foods had more than 65 stores spread across Scotland.

Founded in 1974 as the Capital Meat Centre, the business initially operated from premises on Seafield Road as a cash and carry service selling frozen meat in bulk.

With an increasing number of local households owning larger fridge freezers, the concept of chilled and frozen food quickly gained traction, leading the Capital Meat Centre to open its first self-service supermarkets.

Edinburgh's Hanover Street, Princes Street and Leith's Newkirkgate were among the locations that saw the establishment of Capital Meat Centre branches, along with Morningside, Currie, Corstorphine, Tollcross and Newington. By the end of the 1970s, the city was dotted with the supermarket chain's distinctive red and navy blue striped branding.

The Edinburgh-based company offered a wide variety of frozen and chilled products to its customers.

The reach of the Edinburgh firm extended beyond the city. An advertisement from 1981 for a new Capital Meat Centre store in Airdrie illustrates how the frozen food specialists were capturing the nation's wallets.

The ad stated: "Ever since freezers and fridges with roomy freezer compartments appeared on the scene, people have known that there is money to be saved buying meat in bulk and freezing it."

"Capital Meat Centres give you the convenience of buying frozen food at value for money prices in packs that are ideal for this cost conscious age."

The four-decade-old advert also reveals that the Capital Meat Centre had expanded its product range, all available at tantalisingly low prices. Customers could buy economy mince packs for 74p, steak mince for 94p, Scotch haggis for 45p, pizzas for 25p, sliced sausage for 44p, and a dozen Zaad beefburgers for 64p.

Former Edinburgh local Richard Walker, 47, reminisces about his late mother, Linda Walker, who dedicated over two decades as the assistant manager at the Capital Meat Centre's Currie branch. He cherishes childhood memories of visiting his mum at work.

Employees at Capital Foods were easily recognisable in their striking red and navy uniforms.

Richard, now residing in Liverpool, shared with Edinburgh Live: "It was a big part of my mum's life for years and years. I used to be in the back when I was a wee boy when she was cashing up. I can still remember the red uniform and navy blue apron my mum used to wear."

"The store was full of these big freezers that used to sell just about everything and it was all reasonably priced. It was frozen heaven."

"In those days people who had kids could get all their stuff in bulk, like frozen veg that would last a lot longer than buying fresh."

"It was a good thing for the community - everybody in Edinburgh knew the Capital Meat Centre."

In the 1980s, the Capital Meat Centre underwent a transformation, rebranding as Capital Foods. To stay ahead of the competition from other freezer centres, the chain, now a division of United Biscuits with 65 stores across Scotland, broadened its selection to include chilled and fresh items and ramped up its monthly special offers.

Capital Foods managed to survive through much of the next decade, but the end was drawing near for the business headquartered on Queensferry Road.

The frozen food giant suffered significant annual losses due to fierce competition from rivals such as Farmfoods and Iceland, coupled with an unsuccessful expansion into England. In May 1996, Capital Foods was forced to call in the receivers, leading to the closure of numerous stores and putting around 500 jobs in jeopardy.

Eventually, the business was bought by competitor Farmfoods, with many of the former Capital Foods stores being rebranded following the acquisition.