Since the Coronavirus pandemic, the sight of shops closing down in our high streets has become all too common. The combination of reduced footfalls in town centres plus increased operational costs have been damaging for many businesses.
Now over four years from the implementation of the first lockdown measures in the United Kingdom, how can we re-invigorate our high streets?
In Dundee, a standout has been the evolution of Union Street. The colourful street has been permanently pedestrianised with a number of outside seating areas located outside the pubs and cafes that trade on the street. It has consistently been one of the streets in Dundee with the lowest vacancy rates.
The vacancy rate of Union Street sits at around 8% compared to, for example, Reform Street (26.5%) and Commercial Street (28.9%). Dundee Design Project, who occupy a premises in Union Street, have been key in leading the various changes to the street and engaging with the local community.
Dundee town centre and others can also take further inspiration from another Union Street – the one in Aberdeen. Local business leaders and the community have been pivotal there too.
In March 2023, a voluntary group called Our Union Street was formed with the aim of stopping the decline facing the famous Granite Mile. Funded by Aberdeen City Council and businesses within the private sector, it is headed up by experienced businessman Bob Keiller.
Our Union Street have worked hard to show that occupying a commercial premises is not only an attractive proposition, but sustainable for a business also.
As well as re-decorating the shop fronts of tired and empty units, a number of incentives are offered to new occupiers. The incentives on offer range from free accountancy and marketing support, discounted legal fees and technology equipment and tailored business plan support. The longer the lease that a new tenant takes out, the more incentives they will be able to use.
It is also possible to apply for Aberdeen City Council’s Empty Shops Grant Scheme to obtain a grant of up to 50% of any project costs and non-domestic rates relief for up to two years, though neither of these benefits are guaranteed as they are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
These incentives in addition to Our Union Street engaging with stakeholders such as commercial landlords, letting agents and the local authority means that they can offer potential tenants affordable opportunities to start up a new business or re-locate to Union Street.
Our Union Street advised that in March 2024, a year into the project, more than 60 businesses had registered an interest in setting up on Union Street. From the start of 2023 until March 2024 the number of empty units had decreased by 21% from 47 to 37.
There is no quick fix to improving our high streets across the country and it will take a lot of collaboration from various organisations and sectors, but hope can be sought in Union Street (both of them).
