Scottish retailers see increase in footfall after Buchanan Galleries drop demolition plans
Shops across Scotland saw a “steady if unspectacular growth” in visits from customers over the last month, according to new figures.
The latest figures come from the Scottish Retail Consortium, which shows that footfall increased almost one percent in September year-on-year, depsite being below the UK average rise of three per cent.
The data covers the period from August 25 to September 28 this year and also highlights that footfall in Edinburgh increased by nearly three per cent year-on-year.
Guy Leman, communications executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: “It’s been a trend that we’ve seen quite consistently, particularly in Edinburgh which has performed very well.
“The reason for the Edinburgh consistent is due to investment in local shopping areas, such as St James’ Quarter which is continued to really attract locals and toursits.”
The plans to demolish the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow were recently dropped after the owners decided to change their redevelopment plan.
The rethink comes after the developers decided the retail sector had recovered sufficiently since the Covid pandemic and there was desire from businesses and customers to keep the centre.
Leman added: “I think Covid will have a long-lasting impact on multiple industries.
“Retail is striving really hard to ensure that they’re still delivering that value for their customers as we come out of this crisis.
“The last two months have actually shown a shop price deflation – so that’s lower prices in August and September this year compared to August and September last year.”
The news of Buchanan Galleries remaining open was a delight to retailers.
Despina Switakowski, who works in Born in Scotland in the centre, said: “I’m very happy.
“Not just as a person in the shop, but but just personally I think it would’ve been a big mess [to demolish it].
“It would’ve had a huge impact on Glasgow city itself.”
Developers landsec will now produce a new masterplan which will include “Rejuvinating Glasgow’s prime retail destination.”
The developers recognised the need for investment at the top end of Buchanan Street.
