Nearly a quarter of Aberdeen city centre shop units empty

Nearly a quarter of shop units on Aberdeen's former flagship shopping street are lying empty, according to new figures.

Union Street was traditionally the Granite City's main retail hub.

However, since 2009, it has faced competition from the nearby Union Square complex, with shops, restaurants and a cinema.

A survey from commercial property company FG Burnett suggests there are currently now 45 vacancies, representing almost 24% of 190 ground-level spaces.

This is up from 21% a year ago, and 18% in February 2020.

FG Burnett managing director Richard Noble told BBC Scotland News it was "disappointing" to see occupancy rates "going in the wrong direction".

He said: "The Union Terrace Gardens (UTG) development has been fabulous and looks terrific and hopefully the ongoing Flint Food Hall (formerly Aberdeen Market) is going to be a great boost as well.

"But I worry that these things on their own are not going to have the effect that one might think they should have in pulling people back into the city centre in sufficient droves."

The commercial property expert said Aberdeen faced similar problems to other cities, but believed the situation was not being managed as well as elsewhere.

He added: "We need to find a way to make the city centre a much more pleasurable place to be.

"There is quite an engrained perception now that it's not a place you would want to go and spend a lot of time and that needs to be turned around.

"It won't be easy, but it can be done, but it needs strong leadership and front and centre that has to be the city council."

Aberdeen City Council has been asked for a response.