A long-established Aberdeen fashion brand opened the doors of new Union Street premises yesterday – as city leaders gathered to discuss how to bring the Granite Mile back from the brink.
Attic has been trading in the Academy shopping centre for 21 years.
But as others have looked for an exit from the Granite Mile, the three brothers who own the north-east firm saw this as the opportune moment to buck that trend.
At a time of turmoil for traditional high street retail, the McLaughlins have taken on the former Dr Martens shop at 87-89 Union Street.
It follows a similar move in Inverurie five months ago.
Straight away, 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,” Craig McLaughlin told us.
“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.”
Why Union Street? Why now?
The decline of the Bon Accord shopping mall, which used to provide a base for shoppers to explore the whole city centre, prompted the move to the Granite Mile.
Its two car parks “don’t fill up on a Saturday as they used to,” Craig claims.
As a result, footfall in the now food-and-drink-focused Belmont Street dwindled for the clothes shop.
But the move to the new unit, only a few doors down from the planned £50 million market development, is cause for optimism.
“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 nonstarter for us because the demand from big multinationals is huge.”
Brothers hope new shop will provide Christmas trading boost
Craig hopes the proximity to Primark and Broad Street, St Nicholas Street across the road and being two minutes away from Union Square will set them in good stead.
Events like the Christmas light switch-on promise bolstered festive trade.
He had wanted to attend the emergency summit called to discuss solutions to Union Street’s woes.
But the think tank – despite being metres away at the Douglas Hotel – was too much to consider on opening day.
Asked what he thought would be key to solving the high street troubles Aberdeen and many cities face, he 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 opening soon and the market eventually.
“And then we should focus on making it less fragmented, that will be the secret to Union Street’s recovery.”
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