Aberdeen is taking significant strides to rejuvenate its city centre, countering the pervasive issue of vacant retail spaces that plague High Streets across the UK. Among the growing concerns are multiple empty storefronts along Union Street, once a bustling retail area, which have emerged as a prominent symptom of the broader decline worsened by the migration to online shopping and out-of-town retail parks.
Filling Empty Spaces in Aberdeen
Leading the charge in Aberdeen is Bob Keiller, who heads the community-driven Our Union Street coalition. Faced with 57 empty shops out of 198 on Union Street in 2023, 33 have since found new occupants, with 14 more poised to be leased shortly. Despite the challenge of new vacancies arising, Keiller remains optimistic, stating the city is “filling quicker than emptying”.
Aberdeen’s comprehensive initiative involves auditing vacant properties, tidying empty shops, and monitoring the landlords to combat prolonged vacancies. Volunteers continue to play a vital role, improving the area’s appeal by cleaning and performing simple renovations. Crucially, the council has provided financial incentives to prospective businesses, including fit-out grants and discounted business rates for two years.
Optimising Retail Potential
High Street properties across the UK have struggled with one in eight currently vacant, according to Green Street. However, Aberdeen has embraced a team approach, uniting landlords, letting agents, and local businesses. The involvement of external expertise, like that of Iain Nicholson from the Vacant Shops Academy, underscores initiatives focused on diversifying space usage beyond retail, encouraging arts, culture, and community services.
Keiller’s coalition emphasises the importance of small victories, such as eliminating graffiti or better marketing, which collectively improve public perception and instill civic pride.
Innovative Approaches Nationwide
Aberdeen’s strategies could serve as a model elsewhere, and councils are increasingly adopting proactive measures. For instance, the High Street Rental Auction policy enables councils to mandate letting dormant commercial properties, proving successful in areas like Nottinghamshire’s Bassetlaw Council, leading to significant re-occupation of empty shops.
Yet, challenges persist. The sharp and ongoing decline in footfall has prompted discussions about fundamentally reimagining town centres, possibly transforming excess retail space into residential or community facilities. High street viability hinges on making it easier and cheaper for businesses to operate, with business rates and planning reforms remaining central to this debate.
Aberdeen’s Vision for the Future
Aberdeen’s Union Street is amidst significant infrastructural upgrades, such as the creation of a new food and drink market where the former BHS department store stood. The project, funded with £40m from local government and levelling-up funds, signifies a shift toward creating multifunctional city centres.
Local entrepreneurs like Lauren Reid, who relocated her boutique to Union Street, are hopeful. Supported by council grants, they join a growing number of businesses betting on the city’s bright future.
Though many challenges lie ahead, Aberdeen aims for a transformed city landscape by 2027. While roadworks and empty storefronts still punctuate Union Street, optimism underpins a future horizon where Aberdeen feels reinvigorated.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.