Business / Living Lerwick keen to attract new businesses to the street amid councillor’s concern over town centre
LIVING Lerwick says it is working on ways to attract new businesses to the town centre amid concern from one local councillor that the area is in a “dire situation” with shops closing and properties laying empty.
At a council meeting on Wednesday Lerwick South member Neil Pearson questioned what was being done to encourage small and larger businesses to set up shop.
His ward colleague John Fraser also gave the message of “bring it on” when it came to the idea of “high street big hitters” opening in Shetland.
But Shetland Islands Council (SIC) convener Andrea Manson denied there had been historic resistance locally to this in the past, saying the relatively low footfall was the main reason why few high street companies have opened up in Lerwick.
It comes after one of the few national retailers in Shetland – M&Co – confirmed its Lerwick branch will have its last day on Saturday 1 April as its stores shut across the country following a period of administration.
There are a number of other vacant properties on Commercial Street, some of which relate to management or owners retiring , including the long-standing R.W. Bayes shop which closed at the end of the year.
The Miller Opticians premises at the Market Cross has also gone up for lease, while the Tangled hair salon is available for rent or purchase.
The popular Peerie Shop Cafe recently closed after manager James Martin moved on to pastures new, but is expected to reopen in due course.
Pearson, who suggested there were also struggles outwith Lerwick, questioned what the council and Promote Shetland – which is funded by the SIC – was doing to encourage more businesses to set up shop in the isles.
He said he has not seen so many empty shops and businesses closing down.
Development director Neil Grant said it was a “very challenging environment” – but one with opportunities.
He added that it is an issue not just for Shetland, and said he believed there needs to be a more collective effort.
“There’s something about the place development and how we go about accessing funding to be able to develop the centre,” Grant said.
Meanwhile Lerwick South member John Fraser said he supported the idea of chains opening up in Shetland.
“The reality is they employ staff, they bring footfall and they create trade for the traders next door,” he said. “I say bring it on.”
But Manson said it has been Shetland’s small population that has discouraged more high street retailers from opening up in Lerwick, rather than a historic “resistance” from the community.
Pearson said he wanted to draw attention to an issue which he feels is “quite serious”.
He said he accepts that town centres “all over the country are suffering” but felt it seems to be magnified in Shetland at the moment.
“My question was whether our current approach to attracting people and businesses to Shetland was the right one for the situation we find ourselves in,” he added after the meeting.
“I have already been approached by [town centre organisation] Living Lerwick who want to meet me to discuss their plans.
“I would equally be interested to investigate whether the focus of the Promote Shetland contract is in the right place for our current circumstance as well. I think in short it’s potentially time for a review.”
Living Lerwick is tasked with overseeing a ‘business improvement district’ in the centre of the town.
It hosts events in a bid to encourage more footfall in Lerwick, seeks to push marketing and aims to make the town centre a more attractive place to visit. Its main source of funding is levy fees paid by businesses within the district.
Speaking after the meeting project manager Emma Miller said while there has been some negativity on social media around Commercial Street at the moment, there has also been a “flurry of very positive comments” too.
“I think many people do understand our local business owners are trying very hard to offer goods and services in a very challenging financial climate,” she said.
“We are involved in ongoing discussions with our council liaison officer within the economic development department and are working on ways to promote the excellent provision we already have, but also to attract new businesses to our town centre.”
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