Blank Street Receives Approval For St Andrews Location

On Thursday 15 October, Fife Council officially approved the US coffee chain Blank Street’s planning application, which seeks to open a location on St Andrews’ Market Street. The application, submitted on 6 August 2026, details the extensive alterations that the coffeehouse plans for the unit, currently occupied by Subway. 

Fife Council has approved the proposed changes — both internal and external — which include repainting the shopfront to a matte light green, new sign installations, and the reconfiguration and redecoration of the ground floor and basement, among other modifications. 

In the official planning approval document, Fife Council stated: “The proposed alterations shall enhance the character and appearance of the Listed Building and are considered compliant with National Guidance, Development Plan policy, and all its related guidance in respect of Design and Visual Impact on the Listed Building and are recommended for conditional approval.”

Fife Council did stipulate some conditions, however, in the planning approval document. To move forward with the project, Blank Street must ensure that “the existing timber wall panelling and ceiling on the ground floor shall be retained [in place] behind the proposed new wall finishes and the suspended ceiling.” 

The approval also requires that “the downpipes which are attached to the timber fascias shall be painted light green to match the approved shopfront colour scheme and those downpipes on the ground floor which extend to the upper floors shall be painted to match the colour of the down pipes on the upper floors.”

The respective reasoning for these conditions is that Fife Council wishes to “reserve the rights of the Planning Authority to protect known hidden historic fabric within the listed building,” and “ensure that the development proposals do not detract from the character and appearance [of the building].”

Despite Fife Council’s approval, no official dates have been published regarding the official closing of Subway or the start of Blank Street’s construction. 

Subway’s future in St Andrews also remains unclear, with no indication of whether or not they plan to pursue approval for a new location. Subway declined The Saint’s request for comment.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons