COOK, the frozen ready meals manufacturer and retailer, is to open its first premises in Scotland at 328 Morningside Road, Edinburgh.

The company has taken the retail unit next to I J Mellis cheesemonger, extending to 815 sq ft, on a ten-year lease at a rent of £21,000 per annum. Ryden acted on behalf of the landlord in the deal.

The company is a £22m independent family business that has been trading since 1997. It now has a national network of more than 50 branded shops, an online delivery service and more than 300 concessions in farm shops and independents.

The firm’s founding principle was to use the same techniques and ingredients that a good domestic cook would use at home. As proof of its handmade nature, the name of the individual chef who cooked each dish is printed on the packaging.

The outlet will open on Friday 18 November and joins nearby retailers including Marks & Spencer and Boots, plus local tearooms, bakeries and gift shops.

Will Biggart, surveyor at Ryden, said: “Morningside is a prestigious secondary retailing location in Edinburgh and COOK will further enhance the niche stores in the area. Personally, I’m looking forward to visiting the store and sampling some of the delicious home-made food on offer.”

COOK franchisee, Trish Leckie, said: “It was important to be positioned in a strong community surrounded by other independent retailers.  Morningside Road has the advantage of a very busy thoroughfare of young mums, students, busy professionals and elderly residents.”