Owners of Aberdeen shopping centre in administration

There is an uncertain future for one of Aberdeen's big shopping centres, as the owners of the Bon Accord Centre is placed in administration.

It comes after John Lewis, which was connected to Bon Accord, closed its doors for the last time last year.

James Fennessey, Blair Milne, Colin Haig and Matthew Richards, partners with leading accountancy firm Azets, have been appointed joint administrators of Aberdeen Retail 1 Limited and Aberdeen Retail 2 Limited, which are based in Guernsey.

They say it has been caused by unsustainable cash flow problems stemming from the on-going impact of the Covid pandemic, rising operational costs and intense retail competition.

Retailers and restaurant owners are being assured it is "business as usual" while they try and find a buyer for the centre, which also includes what used to be called the St Nicholas Centre.

All staff directly employed by the centre are also being kept on.

Scottish Conservative north-east MSP Douglas Lumsden, who was part of the taskforce aimed at trying to save John Lewis, said: “This news is yet another hammer-blow for retail in Aberdeen city centre.

“The Bon Accord Centre has been a focal point of our city for more than 30 years and it’s extremely worrying that its owners have gone into administration.

“It’s been devastating to lose the likes of John Lewis and it’s now imperative a new owner can be found to continue the running of the Bon Accord.

“Over the years we have seen the number of outlets within the shopping centre decline and this has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic and the crippling business rates which are being imposed on Aberdeen by the Scottish Government.

“I will now be writing to the owners and administrators seeking assurances regarding its future and foreseeable plans for the centre.”

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