Are Union Street roadworks a trade ‘killer’ or the start of bright new future?

The central stretch of the Granite Mile will close next week as work on a £20 million city centre revamp gets under way.

By Denny Andonova

April 18 2024, 11:50 am

Owners of city centre stores Dizzy's and Attic shared their thoughts on the imminent closure of central Union Street. Image: Kenny Elrick and Denny Andonova/DC Thomson.

Some business owners are hopeful of a bright new future under a major Union Street revamp – but others fear months of disruption could “crucify” trade.

The stretch between Market Street and Bridge Street will be closed off until end of next year as work to transform the Granite Mile gets under way.

A range of upgrades will be carried out as part of the £20 million facelift – including widening pavements and creating a segregated bike lane.

This artistic impression of Union Street central shows now the space will be used by buses and bikes once the £20m work is completed. Image: Aberdeen City Council

Simultaneously, construction work to turn the former BHS department store into a new £40m food and drink market will also begin.

City leaders hailed the move as the “biggest redevelopment in Aberdeen city centre for 200 years”.

A new visualisation of Union Street central in Aberdeen. Work on the revamp will begin at the end of April. Image: Aberdeen City Council — Designers are now drawing up their final vision for the new food and drink market, which is hoped to be finished by summer 2026. Image: Aberdeen City Council.

They hope this will be a turning point for the struggling high street.

However, the closure of the 300-metre stretch has nevertheless sparked some concerns among city centre traders.

Union Street roadworks will ‘crucify’ city centre trade

Council chiefs stressed pedestrian access will be maintained during business hours.

But Lynne McIntyre fears the roadworks might put off potential customers.

The 58-year-old runs the clothes and sweets store Dizzy’s, which is located right at the start of the section bound to be dug up within days.

Lynne McIntyre opened her shop in Union Street last year but has been unhappy at the lack of footfall. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

And while she thinks the overhaul will be good for the city centre in the long run, she worries that her business might not survive the months-long disruption.

Issues with stock deliveries and elderly customers finding it hard to reach the store are among her concerns.

The section between Bridge Street and Market Street will be closed on April 29. Image: Denny Andonova/DC Thomson.

Lynne said: “It will be good once it’s all done up – but what will happen to the businesses here in the meantime.

“The closure will crucify trade in the city centre, and I think all of us will struggle.

“I try to be positive about it but the bottom part of Union Street – where I am – is the least attractive place right now, and this would make it even worse.”

Dizzy’s offers prom and evening dresses, as well as bridal wear and accessories. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Is Union Street really the place to be?

With more than 15 years of retail experience, Lynne opened Dizzy’s last April hoping to give the city centre a welcome boost.

But the lack of customers has left her debating at times whether she should stick with the Granite Mile as a location.

And she fears the imminent roadworks on Union Street could be the final straw.

Lynne thinks the bus gate outside of her store is one of the reasons behind the dwindling number of customers. Image: Denny Andonova/DC Thomson.

Lynne added: “It’s prom season so things are going well right now but I don’t need to be in the high street for that – I can sell dresses all the same elsewhere.”

What do you think of the Union Street revamp? Let us know in our comments section below.

‘It will all be worth it in the long run’

However, next door neighbours Attic have a more positive take on the major revamp.

The prospect of a bright new future is one of the reasons why Adam, Richard and Craig McLaughlin relocated their clothes shop to the city centre in 2022.

Dizzy’s and Attic are the only independent businesses, located on the part of Union Street that will be first dug up. Image: Denny Andonova/DC Thomson.

While Adam shared Lynne’s concerns, he believes it will all be worth it in the long run.

He said: “There is that fear of how the roadworks would impact footfall.

“It will be quite unsightly while the work is getting done, and that might put people off from either entering Union Street or coming to Aberdeen all together.”

Adam McLaughlin, co-owner of Attic, and store manager Kyle McDonald. Image: Denny Andonova/DC Thomson.

Adam added: “But it’s a really good thing in the long term – it will tidy up the city centre and make it more desirable for both businesses and customers.

“And hopefully, that would encourage more businesses to open up on the high street, which essentially could bring more shoppers out.”

Read more about what the multi-million-pound facelift of Union Street involves HERE.

And find out what other businesses are doing to survive and thrive on the Granite Mile: