SHOPS in UNION STREET

www.aberdeencity.gov.uk SHOPS in UNION STREET Vacancy Patterns

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 3 4 5 5 6 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

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 1988. 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: 01224 523470 Fax: 01224 636181 Email: 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. 100023401 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

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 2005. 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

TABLE 1: CHANGING PATTERN OF VACANCIES SINCE 1988 Year No. of Vacant Units Gross Floor Area (sqm) Absolute vacany level 1988 17 4,709 1989 14 4,183 1990 14 (10) 13,955 1991 24 (17) 14,833 1992 11 ( 7) 8,215 1993 10 ( 7) 9,161 1994 15 (14) 8,039 1995 10 (10) 2,321 1996 17 (15) 4,047 1997 11 (10) 3,514 1998 8 (2) 2,409 1999 10 (0) 4,027 2000 11 (1) 5,966 2001 20 (8) 8,640 2002 20 (8) 17,701 2003 17 16,863 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 2004 17 12,128 2005 17 7,375 16 6,823 figure 1: CHANGe in number OF VACANt units over time in Vacancy Patterns Page 5

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

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/100/328 234 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 02/10/2003 236 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 A6/2117 482484 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 A6/2019 37 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 2005 3941 Former Energy Centre/Gas Showroom East 495 sqm 10m Over 6 years Premises damaged by fire in 1998 Premises damaged by fire in 1998. A Repairs Notice was served on the owners in July 2000. 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

195197 Ex Travel Choice West 500sqm 7.5m Since June 2002 209 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 457459 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 475485. 493 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

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 2005. Unit currently being refurbished Wash n Run (Laundry) and 24 Hour Self Video (DVD Rental) 464466 Ex Philip King 185sqm 7.5m Over 2 years Furniture Shop Application for a proposed chip shop reference A5/1403 refused November 2005. Subsequent appeal dismissed reference P/PPA/100/337 315 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 2005. Unit became occupied by Costcutters (newsagents) in November 4345 Ex Poundstretcher shop 744sqm 11m >5 years Instore shop Premises damaged by fire in 1998. Repairs Notice was served on the owners in July 2000. 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 143153 Ex Littlewoods 15,756 sqm 38m 6 months Primark store Unit became vacant December 2005. 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 2005. Applicant: Coral Estates Ltd 475485 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

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 A6/2117 506 Ex Nationwide Class 2 Financial Professional and other services 75 sqm November 2005 Application for proposed alterations to shop. Reference A6/2019 105 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 457459 Ex William Hill Bookmakers Class 2 Financial Professional and other Services 159 sqm October in Vacancy Patterns Page 10

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 1988 189 17 111 91,005 37 13,602 17 n/k 7 n/k 1989 189 14 115 92,238 38 13,449 15 n/k 7 n/k 1990 189 14 114 82,239 39 13,713 16 n/k 6 n/k 1991 190 24 106 77,943 36 12,702 18 n/k 6 n/k 1992 192 11 119 83,056 38 14,207 18 n/k 6 n/k 1993 192 10 118 81,754 39 14,435 19 n/k 5 n/k 1994 192 16 114 82,860 40 14,350 18 n/k 5 n/k 1995 194 10 117 87,470 43 15,835 19 n/k 5 n/k 1996 192 17 111 84,854 41 15,224 18 n/k 5 n/k 1997 191 11 116 85,034 40 15,120 19 n/k 5 n/k 1998 190 8 118 88,395 41 16,053 19 n/k 4 n/k 1999 190 10 116 86,031 41 16,067 19 n/k 4 n/k 2000 190 11 113 83,572 42 15,975 20 n/k 4 n/k 2001 190 20 107 82,181 39 14,783 19 n/k 5 n/k 2002 190 20 107 72,970 39 14,933 19 n/k 5 n/k 2003 190 16 107 74,002 31 11,441 24 n/k 12 n/k 2004 185 17 103 75,828 27 11,079 27 n/k 11 n/k 2005 191 17 104 75,946 31 11,738 28 n/k 9 n/k 189 16 100 79,374 27 11,842 31 n/k 15 n/k Notes GFA: Gross Floor Area (square metres) n/k: Not Known in Vacancy Patterns Page 11

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

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

to 222 224 130 132 9 4 208 210 214 504 506 510 512 Vacant Units Year ending 5 to 9 11 15 23 25 26 to 30 17 21 27 to 31 54 52 46 to 50 44 42 40 38 32 33 35a 37 39 41 43 45 123.5 125 143 to 149 56 58 47 49 60 62 51 to 53 55 65 73 79 81 to 85 106 88 86 82 80 78 92 100 98 87 89 95 to 99 101 to 105 107 109 114 120 111 to 119 123 122 122.5 128 119a 121 127 to 131 133 139 136 to 144 131.5 137 141 169 161 173 175 to 179 181 185 189 199 201 1 3 5 11 13 1 to 3 165 163 167 196 156 152 150 146 204 206 213 215 217 219 221 to 227 229 231 247 220 218 216 226 158 171 245 230 228 212 253 255 257 259 261 263 265 267 238 232 234 164 to 172 162 181b 183 191 to 197 187 207 211 209 213 269 271 343 335 339 345 337 347 349 353 355 367 361 365 369 402 406 373 377 381 383 422 420 408 to 412 258 262 260 256 254 252 250 248 414 387 391 393 to 399 411 452 456 438 to 442 434 432 446 407 413 419 415 421 450 423 425 441 429 443 464 466 431 445 447 451 453 457 to 461 492 468 494 484 480 478 470 472 476 424 401 463 465 469 to 473 475 496 to 502 485 487 489 514 491 493 520 499 501 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. 100023401 in Vacancy Patterns Page 14