WATCH: Businesses highlight ‘devastating effect’ of First Bus industrial action

Concerns have been raised by the business community in Aberdeen city centre at the prospect of indefinite industrial action by First Bus drivers.

Business organisation Aberdeen Inspired has been contacted by several businesses which have been affected by the strike action in March.

Footfall in the city centre has been dramatically reduced during periods of industrial action, which has had a knock-on effect on traders, with employees also struggling to get to work.

At least one business has reported a ‘devastating effect’ on trading and is considering a reduction in staff hours if industrial action continues.

Geoff Cooper, city centre manager for Aberdeen Inspired, said: “We have been approached by a number of our city centre levy payers who have voiced their concern on the damaging impact the bus strikes have had on their business.

“They are currently experiencing reduced footfall and staff availability issues in an already difficult trading environment.

“Our footfall counters have shown that the decline in footfall is double what has been experienced nationally. We act as the voice of business in the city centre and it’s important we highlight these issues if the industrial action is expected to continue.”

Graeme McKenzie, director of Mostyn McKenzie footwear retailer on Union Street, said: “The strikes have had a devastating effect on our business as we experienced up to a 50% drop in footfall on strike days.

“Many of our customers rely on public transport and are simply not visiting city centre because of the uncertainty of getting home.

“The challenges of retail industry on the high street have been well documented and this is another issue to discourage people from visiting Aberdeen.

“Should the strike continue indefinitely, we shall have no option but to start reducing staff hours. It is imperative that both sides come together and that some compromise is made to resolve the dispute.”

Stuart McPhee, general manager of Siberia Vodka Bar and Aberdeen City Centre Hotel, added: “I take neither side in the industrial action, all I know is employees have struggled to get to and from work I have had to collect them myself when the revised bus timetable failed.

“The strike has had an effect footfall in the bar, most notably Monday and Tuesday last week with takings down. Regular bookings were also cancelled for later in the week which was another loss to us which, in the difficult trading conditions we all face, is really infuriating.

“I would like to see as swift as possible a return to some semblance of normality."