The City of Edinburgh’s council planning committee has approved plans to create a global flagship visitor experience centre for Johnnie Walker.

In February this year, Diageo submitted plans for a seven-floor visitor centre featuring a multi-sensory visitor experience, flexible events spaces, a training academy and a retail space.

Diageo Scotland chairman David Cutter said: “This is another significant step forward in our journey to create an inspiring flagship destination for Johnnie Walker.

“We have had great support for our proposals from local stakeholders and businesses in Edinburgh and we are grateful to everyone who has helped us to get to this stage. We will continue to work with the local community as we now progress with construction and with making our plans a reality.”

“We have had great support for our proposals from local stakeholders and businesses in Edinburgh.”

Johnnie Walker’s visitor experience is reported to be part of Diageo’s £150m investment in Scotch whisky tourism that was announced in April last year.

Diageo anticipates that the project will create nearly 180 new full-time equivalent jobs in the region and generate £135m in tourism spend.

Diageo global Scotch whisky director Cristina Diezhandino said: “We are incredibly excited by our plans for the Johnnie Walker visitor experience in Edinburgh where people can explore, discover, and immerse themselves in the story of the world’s leading whisky brand.

“We have ambitious plans to make this a truly world-leading attraction, drawing people from the four corners of the globe to Scotland and to give them an unforgettable experience in Scotch whisky and Scottish culture.”

Currently, Diageo is investing more than £185m in Scotch whisky experiences in Scotland.