Princes Street used to be regarded as a good shopping street with quality shops including department stores like Jenners and Debenhams, both of which closed about four years ago.  Our American visitors last year remarked how disappointed they were to find so many shops selling tat and said the street looked very rundown with so many shops boarded up and nowhere that they could browse round. Several of the shops have now transferred to the new St James Quarters.  Both Jenners and Debenhams remain empty at the moment although there are proposals to convert them into luxury hotels with the Jenners building retaining its façade and the lower floors offering some shops.   
The lamp stands outside the main entrance to the former Debenhams building which was originally opened in 1884 as The Conservative Club. It is hoped that the original elaborate carved stair and three stained glass windows and panelled fireplace in the Gladstone Room will be incorporated and non residents will have access to them.