Scotland’s landmark shopping streets are in danger of becoming “shopping deserts” as retail units empty and upmarket shops pull out
Scotland’s landmark shopping streets are in danger of becoming “shopping deserts” as retail units empty and upmarket shops pull out.
David Lonsdale of the Scottish Retail Consortium said: “Many of our traditional flagship high street retail destinations have been battered by the pandemic and the galloping cost of living. Among the empty units there are charity shops near upmarket boutiques and coffee chains by betting shops. The once bustling “granite mile” is a mess. It’s also a far bigger shopping street than the city needs.
There has already been high-end residential development and more of this will bring life and pride into the street. There’s also a role for student accommodation. A smaller, more focussed retail zone would feel more vibrant. To make this worse, the block that was fatally damaged by the 2018 fire at Glasgow School of Art remains boarded up. Further towards the city centre there is a gap site where Victoria’s nightclub was demolished after a fire, also in 2018.
Patrick added: “That could bring new life that’s culture-based. The McLellan Galleries have already been redesigned by the private sector for public use. We have to make the most of the assets that are driving footfall.”
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Desperate appeal to trace woman, 38, who vanished in Aberdeen on Saturday nightDionne Laurie, 38, was last seen around 7.45pm on Saturday, December 3, on Auchinleck Crescent in the Kingscourt area of the city.
Read more »
Tributes paid to award-winning Scots rescue dog after much-loved pooch's deathThirteen-year-old springer spaniel Diesel, who worked for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, has passed away.
Read more »
Urgent appeal to trace Scots schoolboy, 14, who travelled from Fife to PeterheadDean Emslie was last seen by family near Pitscottie in Fife on Thursday night - and was spotted in Peterhead the following day.
Read more »
Scots student desperate to save sight amid fears illness could make him blind by ChristmasA STUDENT fears he could be blind by Christmas after he was diagnosed with a rare eye condition. Jack Finnie, 20, said he knew something was seriously wrong when his eyesight rapidly deteriorated a…
Read more »
Glasgow exhibition reveals fascinating history of Mary Queen of ScotsLots of places in Scotland claim a link to our most famous monarch, but it was in Glasgow that Mary Queen of Scots suffered her final, and most devastating, defeat.
Read more »
Scots woman pays for holiday in Spain after renting out drivewayRuth Lewis told how she jetted off to Malaga with proceeds of renting out Edinburgh drive as parking space for motorists.
Read more »