LONG-established fashion brand Attic has opened the doors of new premises in the heart of Aberdeen.
The move came on the same week it emerged that an expert coalition could be formed to lure new local and national businesses to a regenerated and revitalised Union Street.
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More than 170 business leaders and politicians attended a four-hour emergency summit on Wednesday on the future of Aberdeen’s Granite Mile.
The meeting had been called by Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce to address the need for immediate action.
Attic had been trading in the Academy shopping centre for 21 years, but the three brothers who own the firm felt it was a good time to relocate, now taking on the former Dr Martens shop at 87-89 Union Street.
It follows a similar move in Inverurie five months ago. Moving from Station Road to West High Street brought a bounce in trade.
“It was then we realised we shouldn’t be scared to move in Aberdeen either,” said Craig McLaughlin.
“We remember the good times when the Academy was full and Belmont Street was bustling. But the city centre has declined and good retail areas have shrunk.”
The move to the new unit, only a few doors down from the planned £50million market development, is cause for optimism.
Craig added: “This is the busiest crossroads in Aberdeen, so we feel it’s a good spot.
“If Union Street does bounce back, we think regeneration will come from this end up the way.
“The problem for an independent retailer is looking at the city and working out where will regenerate quickest. Union Square is a non-starter for us because the demand from big multinationals is huge.”
Asked what he thought would be key to solving the high-street troubles Aberdeen and many cities face, Craig said “joining everything up”.
“We need to get enough happening within the main areas of Union Street. Then we can link it all better with Union Terrace Gardens and the market. And then we should focus on making it less fragmented – that will be the secret to Union Street’s recovery.”
Meanwhile, energy giant Shell has revealed its Union Street office won’t have a gym or canteen – encouraging staff to inject cash into city-centre businesses.
The firm is bringing its North Sea HQ, and 1,000 white-collar workers, onto the Granite Mile.
And, in an effort to stimulate its surroundings, certain aspects of the current Tullos building won’t feature in the firm’s new Silver Fin home. Instead, bosses there will be highlighting to employees the 25 cafes and restaurants in close vicinity.
The decision has led to questions about what other employers – such as the council – are doing to get their workers spending in the local economy : a common complaint brought up by many at the four-hour summit on Wednesday while discussing the impact of a home-working culture on businesses such as cafes and sandwich shops.
One business owner who attended the talks said the local authority – which is the city centre’s largest employer – had a responsibility to help, adding: “There’s hardly any council workers in Marischal College.
“And obviously, if you had so many more people back in the city centre, that helps all the city-centre businesses and could potentially enable us to not have more vacant units.”
Adrian Watson, the chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “The return to the office was clearly highlighted as an issue at the Union Street summit.”
Padraig McCloskey, Shell UK corporate relations manager upstream, explained the energy company’s desire to enhance the struggling area during the summit. And he said the big move will be taking place early in 2023.
