SHOPS in UNION STREET

Transcription

1 SHOPS in UNION STREET Vacancy Patterns

2 SHOPS IN UNION STREET VACANCY PATTERNS Background Survey Findings Table 1 Figure 1 Figure 2 Changing pattern of vacancies since 1988 Change in number of vacant units over time Gross vacancy area Page Table 2 Vacant units December 78 Table 3 Vacant premises brought back into use (Including proposals currently being Implemented) 910 Table 4 Premises that have become vacant 10 Figure 3 Length of time units are vacant for 11 Table 5 Classification of premises in 11 Figure 4 Classification of premises in 12 Table 6 by Goad classification 13 Map 1 Vacant premises on 14 in Vacancy Patterns Page 2

3 Report december BACKGROUND Aberdeen s Community Plan seeks to enhance the city as a vibrant, dynamic and forward looking place in which to live. 's role as Aberdeen s main shopping thoroughfare has an important contribution to make to this vision. The city s image is often judged on the public s perception of the degree of vitality of this prominent street, so it is important that any significant changes taking place are monitored. The level of vacancies is one indicator of vitality within a shopping centre and this has been monitored in since Continuous monitoring of all properties with a ground floor on to is carried out, and an annual survey is completed. The pattern of change over the period since 1988 is shown in Table 1 and Figure 1. is a dynamic commercial area which is always undergoing change. come in and out of use, trading names alter and retailers regularly refurbish their properties. All of these factors affect the appearance of the street and may affect the level of vacancies at any point in time. The Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Retail Study (AARS), completed in September 2004 on behalf of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils, comments that Vacant units in the City Centre are about average for Scottish towns when measured by number of units (7.7%). However, considering that this is the third largest centre in Scotland it could be considered that this is comparatively high. Furthermore the vacant retail floorspace is above average (9.8%). The AARS highlights one of the city centre s key weaknesses of above average vacancies by floorspace especially in secondary locations including the western part of. In Aberdeen, much of the prime accommodation is constrained by the traditional configuration of units, and also constraints arising from variations in levels and poor quality streetscape. Aberdeen City Council Strategic Leadership Planning and Infrastructure St Nicholas House Broad Aberdeen AB10 1BW Telephone: Fax: pi@aberdeencity.gov.uk Reproduced from Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty s Stationery Office. Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Aberdeen City Council Licence No The OS mapping is provided by Aberdeen City Council under licence from OS in order to fulfil its public function as a planning authority. Persons viewing this mapping should contact OS Copyright for advice where they wish to licence OS mapping for their own use. in Vacancy Patterns Page 3

4 SURVEY FINDINGS The year end survey results show: Between December 2005 and December, 9 units that were vacant became and remained occupied and 8 units that were previously occupied became and remained vacant. This meant that the total number of vacant units on at the end of was 16 units, 1 less than the number of vacant units at the end of The amount of vacant gross floor area has increased from 6,790sqm by the end of 2005 to 6,823sqm by the end of. There are 3 vacant units in the prime pitch between Market and Bridge and they account for a total of 1,662sqm of vacant floorspace. Out of the 16 vacant units, 12 lie to the west of Terrace/Bridge and account for a total of 4,666sqm of vacant floorspace. The length of vacancy varies significantly from just over 1 month to more than 6 years. The Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Retail Study comments The current level of vacancies evident with Aberdeen City Centre, when examined in terms of the location and format of the units indicates that the main issue is the format and location of the floorspace relevant to the prime pitch The physical constraints of in terms of the built form and topography are likely to preclude significant additional investment to create other appropriately formatted retail units. New opportunities in terms of traditional formatted retail floorspace are only likely to arise where small scale development opportunities can be progressed through consolidation of units, most likely on the fringe of the prime pitch in Vacancy Patterns Page 4

5 TABLE 1: CHANGING PATTERN OF VACANCIES SINCE 1988 Year No. of Vacant Units Gross Floor Area (sqm) Absolute vacany level , , (10) 13, (17) 14, ( 7) 8, ( 7) 9, (14) 8, (10) 2, (15) 4, (10) 3, (2) 2, (0) 4, (1) 5, (8) 8, (8) 17, ,863 Notes: These figures relate to all premises with a ground floor on The figures in the third column relate to the absolute amount of vacant floorspace on the survey day Properties currently closed but undergoing refurbishment prior to reoccupation are not included amongst the total number of vacancies Key: n/k not known sqm square metres , , ,823 figure 1: CHANGe in number OF VACANt units over time in Vacancy Patterns Page 5

6 Figure 2: Gross Vacancy Area Key: n/k not known sqm square metres. in Vacancy Patterns Page 6

7 TABLE 2 : end of VACANT UNITS Address Use Class Details of Unit Length of time vacant Planning enquiries/comments 82 Ex Globally Sweet East 118sqm 5.5m Vacant since October 122 Ex Mothercare East 1314 sqm 8.5m Vacant since October 2005 Application for change of use from (retail) to a mixed use proposal, comprising of 1. Amusement centre with ancillary retail sales and catering; 2. Tanning Centre. Permission granted on appeal Reference P/PPA/100/ Ex Norema Kitchens West end of 204 sqm 15m Over 6 years Planning permission for Coffee House Ref A3/1486 Applicant Esquires Coffee House Approved 02/10/ Ex Waterstones Books West end of 630 sqm 9.5m 2 years 432 Ex Fast Frame West end of 226 sqm 6m Since January Proposed change of use from class 1 to class 2 (Property Shop). Reference A6/ Ex Household Bank West Class 2 Financial, Professional and other Services 198sqm 14.5m Over 12 months 506 Ex At Home Nationwide West end of Class 2 Financial Professional and other services 75 sqm 5m Over 12 months Application for proposed alterations to shop. Reference A6/ Ex Pentangle East 234 sqm 8.5m Less than 6 months Application for change of use of ground floor unit to Class 2 use (betting shop) Withdrawn October Former Energy Centre/Gas Showroom East 495 sqm 10m Over 6 years Premises damaged by fire in 1998 Premises damaged by fire in A Repairs Notice was served on the owners in July Planning permission granted in 2001 for refurbishment of the property, which would include provision of 495sqm retail space at ground floor and basement level. Refurbishment has now taken place and the property is being marketed. Informal enquiries have been made with regards to the reoccupation of this unit. 105 Ex The Link East 230sqm 8m Since December in Vacancy Patterns Page 7

8 Ex Travel Choice West 500sqm 7.5m Since June Ex British Airways Travel Shop West 156sqm 8.5m Since August 247 Ex HMV Class 2 Financial Professional and other services. Permission for Class 3 Food & Drink 1009 sqm 20m Since November 2003 Office permission and permission for Class 3 Food & Drink 257 Ex Quids In West 704sqm 13m Came back into use May 2004 now vacant since June Application for change of use from existing retail use to restaurant with public house use approved November 265 Ex Going Places West 280 sqm 10.5m Since November 2005 Application for a new shopfit and new shopfront approved September Ex William Hill Bookmakers West Class 2 Financial Professional and other services 159sqm 10m Since October Vacant since William Hill bookmakers moved to the ex Atlantic Telecom unit at Ex Olympic (Clothing) West 525 sqm 8.5m 4 months Properties currently closed but undergoing refurbishment prior to reoccupation are not included amongst the total number of vacancies in Vacancy Patterns Page 8

9 TABLE 3: VACANT PREMISES BROUGHT BACK INTO USE (Including proposals currently being implemented) Address Former Use Gross Floor Area Length of Vacancy New Use Comments 88 Ex H Samuel 109sqm 5.5m 6 months TMobile Application for re fit of shop unit including a new shop front approved March 434 Class 2 Financial Professional and other Services Ex Adobe 218sqm 7m 4½ years Mixed Use and Class 2 Financial Professional and other Services Application for change of use from class 1 retail to class 1 retail (DVD rental and laundry) and class 2 use [internet café (no food internet service)] approved December Unit currently being refurbished Wash n Run (Laundry) and 24 Hour Self Video (DVD Rental) Ex Philip King 185sqm 7.5m Over 2 years Furniture Shop Application for a proposed chip shop reference A5/1403 refused November Subsequent appeal dismissed reference P/PPA/100/ Public House Ex Athenaeum 148sqm approx. 28m 6 months Public House Five (Bar and Restaurant) 37 Ex Pentangle 234sqm 8.5m Over 1 year Costcutters Application for change of use to a betting shop (reference A5/1842) withdrawn November Unit became occupied by Costcutters (newsagents) in November 4345 Ex Poundstretcher shop 744sqm 11m >5 years Instore shop Premises damaged by fire in Repairs Notice was served on the owners in July Planning permission granted in 2001 for renovation of retail space (744 sqm) and reinstatement of upper floors to flats. Refurbishment has now taken place and Instore now occupy this unit 101 Ex Terley s shop 471sqm 8m Since 1998 Office (Shoe shop) Converted to shoe shop in March and opened for trading April. Applicant: Office Holdings Ex Littlewoods 15,756 sqm 38m 6 months Primark store Unit became vacant December Conversion to Primark (clothes shop). Trading commenced 9th December 181b Class 2 Financial Professional and other Services Ex Health Promotions 200sqm 5m 2 years Class 2 Licensed Betting Office Conversion to Licensed Betting Office approved November Applicant: Coral Estates Ltd Ex Atlantic Telecom 218sqm 18.5m Over 3 years Class 2 Financial Professional and other Services William Hill bookmakers 2 applications submitted for this unit: A3/0211 registered 06/02/03 Application for Detailed Planning permission for Change of use of premises to Class 2 purposes as a licensed betting office. Refused. Applicant William Hill Organisation Ltd A4/0747 registered 21/04/2004. Application for Detailed Planning Application for Change of use of ground floor office/shop to cafe and installation of external flue at rear. Applicant Mr Ronald Lieberum. Refused Planning Committee 17/06/2004 in Vacancy Patterns Page 9

10 TABLE 4: PREMISES THAT HAVE BECOME VACANT OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS Address Former Use Use Class Gross Floor Area (sqm) Date became Vacant Comments 82 Ex Globally Sweet (confectionery) 118 sqm October 162 Ex Thompson s Holiday Shop 347 sqm May Application for change of use from Travel Agency () to speciality coffee retailing (/3) approved October. Currently being refurbished 432 Ex Fast Frame 226 sqm January Application for change of use from to Property Shop (Class 2). Reference A6/ Ex Nationwide Class 2 Financial Professional and other services 75 sqm November 2005 Application for proposed alterations to shop. Reference A6/ Ex The Link 230 sqm December 209 Ex British Airways Travel Shop 156 sqm August 257 Ex Quids In 704 sqm June Application for proposed change of use from existing retail use to restaurant with public house use approved November Ex William Hill Bookmakers Class 2 Financial Professional and other Services 159 sqm October in Vacancy Patterns Page 10

11 Figure 3: Length of Time Units are Vacant For table 5: CLASSIFICATION OF PREMISES ON UNION STREET APRIL Year Total Number of Units Number of Vacant Units Trading Banks, building societies etc Restaurants pubs etc Other No. GFA No. GFA No. GFA No. GFA , , n/k 7 n/k , , n/k 7 n/k , , n/k 6 n/k , , n/k 6 n/k , , n/k 6 n/k , , n/k 5 n/k , , n/k 5 n/k , , n/k 5 n/k , , n/k 5 n/k , , n/k 5 n/k , , n/k 4 n/k , , n/k 4 n/k , , n/k 4 n/k , , n/k 5 n/k , , n/k 5 n/k , , n/k 12 n/k , , n/k 11 n/k , , n/k 9 n/k , , n/k 15 n/k Notes GFA: Gross Floor Area (square metres) n/k: Not Known in Vacancy Patterns Page 11

12 Figure 4: CLASSIFICATION OF PREMISES IN UNION STREET in Vacancy Patterns Page 12

13 TABLE 6: UNION STREET BY GOAD CLASSIFICATION Bakers and Confectioners 5 Butchers and Poulterers 0 Greengrocers and Fishmongers 0 Grocery 2 OffLicences 1 CTN 5 Total Convenience 13 Footwear and Repair 6 Mens and boys wear 6 Womens, girls, childrens and general wear 11 Furniture, carpets and textiles 2 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers 8 Electrical, Gas, Music and Photography (including mobile phone shops) 12 DIY, hardware & housewares 4 China, glass, fancy and leather goods 1 Cars, motorcycles and motor accessories 0 Chemists, drug stores and opticians 7 Variety, department and catalogue stores 4 Florists, nurseryman and seedsman 0 Toys, hobby, cycle and sports 3 Jewellers and repair 3 Charity 5 Other comparison retailers (including discount stores) 7 Total Comparison 79 Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food 19 Hairdressers, beauty parlours, health centre 3 Laundries and dry cleaners 2 Travel agents 3 Banks, Building Societies & Financial services (including employment agencies) 27 Estate Agents and Valuers 5 Video 1 Betting 4 Hotels 0 Public Houses 12 Post Offices 1 Other Service 7 Total Service 81 Vacant Units 16 in Vacancy Patterns Page 13

14 to Vacant Units Year ending 5 to to to to a to to to to to to a to to to to to to b to to to to to to to Not to Scale Some information has been removed for clarity. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Aberdeen City Council Licence No in Vacancy Patterns Page 14