Don't let Aberdeen become a 'Ghost Town' what can be done to save the Granite city's high street?

The Scottish Government have been asked what they can do to help struggling high streets, like the retail sector in Aberdeen.

North East MSP Liam Kerr made the point in Holyrood to the First Minister that various retailers have left the city leaving behind empty units.

He said:

"Last week the Aberdeen City centre was hit by the closure of Debenhams after 35 years"

"Another department store building, BHS, remains empty five years after it closed - and the Arcadia group have closed several stores in the city"

"Can I ask what the First Minister is doing to proactively help councils find occupiers for empty buildings, to ensure great cities like Aberdeen don't come to resemble ghost towns."

In response the First Minister said local council areas would have to look into which businesses they might want to target for these shops.

She said she would "resist the temptation" to assume the responsibility for filling individual units.

She pointed to the Government working with councils to support them through funding.

The First Minister said:

"I think it's right and proper - and probably most effective - for the local authority economic development teams to actually focus on who they are trying to recruit and who is best to be targeted for investment in their own areas."

MSP Kerr responded to the First Minister's answer, calling it a "slap in the face".

He continued:

“She may laugh at heckling in the chamber during my question but we in Aberdeen certainly aren’t laughing at the fact our city centre risks become a ghost town.

“Debenhams is one of the biggest unit’s in the city and I’m seriously concerned the store will sit empty for years to come if this situation isn’t addressed immediately.

“Aberdeen has seen more closures and redundancies than most other places so surely there’s a greater case to help the city before more and more shut up shop.

“These buildings must not be left to rot and the SNP Government need to step up to ensure more support is given to help the council and businesses to fill these empty voids.”

Northsound earlier spoke to Aberdeen Inspired Chief Executive Adrian Watson.

He told our reporter Lewis Michie about how important it is to be creative with how business operates in 2021, but also that it's crucial national and local government offer incentive to drive businesses to the city centre.

Watson said:

"Incentivize is the right word, at the moment the city centre - not only in Aberdeen but also across the country has the challenge of high business rates"

"The fast growth of internet shopping etc, there's plenty of competition out there, so it is important at a local and national level that we get behind city centres and offer opportunity"

Watson says that schemes like the 'Aberdeen gift card' are an example of the unit of retail working together, but also of creative outside of the box thinking to find new ways of engaging the public.

Saying:

“We have been pleased with the fantastic sales the Aberdeen Gift Card has had since it launched in late November. With 3500 cards bought with a total value of £150,000, it really has given a boost to the local economy. Aberdeen Inspired worked incredibly hard in a short timescale to launch it in time for Christmas and it has helped to make a big difference at a time when it was, and is, most needed."

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