New Union Street businesses to benefit from country's 'most generous' incentive package
The package comes just months after a mass meeting about the future of Union Street
Last updated 21st Aug 2023
New businesses on Aberdeen's Granite Mile can "take the risk out of the high street" and benefit from one of the UK's biggest incentive packages.
New occupiers taking on long-term vacant units could save tens of thousands of pounds through two years rent and business rate free, as well as up to £35,000 through the Empty Shops Grant Scheme.
How does it work?
41 empty units are eligible for Fresh Start Relief, which gives the new occupier 12 months of business rate relief.
That will be topped up by Our Union Street on eligible units where landlords agree to offer the equivalent of two years’ rent free.
Aberdeen City Council's Empty Grants Scheme also offers grants of up to £35,000 to cover 50% of project costs towards physical work required on vacant units to enable reoccupation by new businesses and tenants.
Local companies are also rallying around the plans by offering additional sweeteners, including marketing support and free internet supply.
Package will 'catch the eye' of business owners
The Chairman of Our Union Street, Bob Keillier, is hopeful that the package will 'bring sparkle back' to the street.
He said: "We’ve spent several months listening to what the city wants – and people unanimously want to see the units which line Union Street brought back to life with new occupiers.
"We want to attract and incubate a vibrant new set of businesses to bring footfall, excitement and sparkle back to the Granite Mile.
"To do this, we need to create an environment which is attractive to the best emerging entrepreneurs both locally and nationally – one which takes the risk out of the high street and allows firms time to find their feet.
"We believe the package put together here will catch the eye of business owners across the UK and we look forward with working with local landlords and property agents to create new beginnings for multiple businesses on our high street."
'Everyone has a part to play'
Continuing, Mr Keiller said: He added: "One of the misconceptions we’ve observed is people think it is expensive to locate on Union Street. However, the reality is very different following the most recent rates revaluation, which has seen the rateable value of many premises fall by more than a third.
"Aberdeen City Council has also, uniquely among its peer cities, cut many vacant property reliefs from 100% to just 10%, meaning that the owners of vacant premises are now having to pay rates. This means that it is in a landlord’s interest to get deals done, which we believe will also bring rents down.
"Everyone has a part to play if we are to bring prosperity back to this street; we need landlords to be pragmatic about rentals, we need agents to be upfront about what units cost and how much can be saved, and we ultimately need to public to come out and support all of the brilliant businesses on Union Street both today and in the future."