Retail expert Jonathan De Mello outlining the key findings of his Retail and Property Strategy report, commissioned by Aberdeen Inspired. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
More than 150 people attended a business breakfast for a first look at what could be a roadmap to retail revival for Aberdeen’s city centre.
Retail expert Jonathan De Mello revealed key points from the Retail and Property Strategy, commissioned by Aberdeen Inspired with support from Aberdeen City Council.
The document aims to assess the city centre market, identify gaps in the retail, leisure and hospitality offer, benchmark Aberdeen with its closest comparators, and recommend practical next steps to attract brands that add value and diversity.
Some of the key findings outlined by Jonathan, founder of JDM Retail and with more than 25 years’ experience advising towns and cities across the UK on retail strategy, include:
- A reset in thinking of where the city centre retail core lies shifting the focus from east-west along Union Street to north-south, from Union Square to the Bon Accord centre based on data showing where people are now shopping the most.
- Focus on letting prominent empty voids – most notably department store units such as the former Debenhams and old Marks & Spencer building.
- Improving footfall between Union Square and the rest of the city centre core retail circuit, suggesting measures such as step-free access to Union Street and promoting the Merchant Quarter and new Flint market as a vital route.
- Curating a “Best of Aberdeen” zone – this would showcase the best of the city’s independent retailers, creatives and traders with Belmont Street as a prime contender for such a zone.
- Encouraging better use of public realm in the core city centre, such as St Nicholas Square and Castlegate which are under-used and under-invested in.
- Expanding the city’s leisure offer, with an emphasis on food and beverage – which Flint will boost – as well as family entertainment and ‘competitive socialising’ such as bowling and laser quest.
- Tackling the decline of Union Street, including addressing social issues and supporting the work of Our Union Street.
- Improving traffic controls, including addressing the confusing implementation of the bus gate systems which might deter motorists from city centre shopping.
The packed room at the Douglas Hotel for yesterday's business meeting, organised by Aberdeen Inspired. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
He also told the audience of Aberdeen Inspired levy payers, traders, businesses and city centre stakeholders and partners, that it was vital the city pulls together to execute the strategy.
After the meeting, Jonathan said: “What struck me today was the amount of people in the room interested in improving Aberdeen. People from all quarters have come up to me after and everyone seemed really keen on lifting the city.
“There is an understanding that there are issues, but they are not insurmountable and with the right wherewithal we can change things. I was happy to see the positive feedback and positivity in the room.”
Jonathan said the next step for the strategy would be to engage with occupiers and getting the right stakeholders round the table with the likes of landlords, the council, the Business Improvement District to implement the changes needed for the city.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said Jonathan’s retail and property strategy is an important piece of work for the future of the city centre, but cautioned the road ahead will not be either easy or smooth.
“There is no magic wand on the table. This is the tough stuff we are looking at now, the nuts and bolts of how best to make the heart of Aberdeen the best it can - and should – be. To reach these ambitious goals will not be easy and will not be quick.
“However, it is my hope this will be the start of a joined-up, comprehensive and informed plan of action that will see everyone – traders, businesses, partners and stakeholders – working together to bring fresh life to our city centre as Team Aberdeen
Those taking part or attending yesterday’s business breakfast, held at the Douglas Hotel, reacted positively to the strategy as outlined by Jonathan.
Members of the audience at the business breakfast in the Douglas Hotel. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen City Council Finance and Resources Convener, Councillor Alexander McLellan also attended the event and took part in the panel discussion.
Afterwards he said there was a lot to be optimistic about in the report.
“There is clearly work to be done but there are clearly partners who are willing to do that, to get together and improve the city centre,” he said, referencing a Team Aberdeen ethos.
“There are so many people in the business community, ourselves in the council, who are passionate about making Aberdeen the best possible place it can be. We just need to get partners round the table and drive forward our ambitious vision for our city centre. Aberdeen can be a real destination and I think we can achieve that if we all work together.
Cllr McLellan said it is important for stakeholders to consider the recommendations Retail and Property Strategy report and what needs to be done.
“From what we have been hearing in the room today there is clearly that cross-sector support for this, so we need to have that conversation about how we driving out city centre forward, and how we attract businesses to Aberdeen and make it a place where people want to come, to shop and to enjoy.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, speaking at the business breakfast which revealed key points of the Retail and Property Strategy report, commissioned by the city centre Business Improvement District. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Kenny Bruce, centre manager for the Trinity Centre, said: “I think it was a very positive presentation and you could see the passion coming through from the panel.
“Overall, we were aware of some of the issues but it’s always good to have someone coming in from the outside looking in and backing up what the powerful Team Aberdeen ethos has been over the past few years and that we are addressing the correct issues.
“Next we need to see things move at full steam ahead. We need the correct people around the table to move forward at pace. We have the data led information, we now need work off the back of that, get key people in the room and move forward.”
Mary Martin, owner of the Douglas Hotel and Molly’s Bistro, shared her optimistic view of the report and its potential.
“It was a great presentation and it is fabulous to see so many people in a room who all have the one focus and agenda – we all want to see Aberdeen be more vibrant and welcoming for everyone coming in,” she said.
“You could just from the panel and the questions that everyone was working to come up with a good solution. What I want to see happen next is a result.”
Adrian Watson said the next step for the City Centre Retail and Property Strategy will be for stakeholders and partners including Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council and partners from across the three sectors, of public, private and third sectors to create an action plan, working from key recommendations in the report.
He said: “This must be collective, collegiate, co-ordinated and concentrated. And everyone involved must also be accountable for taking part and for delivering what is needed to help revive the Granite City’s retail and property sector.”