'We are trying hard' — Arbroath shop owner calls for some positive thinking
An Angus trader insists a high street resurgence can be more than just a fairytale for Arbroath.
Louise McGivney says small business owners are working to improve Arbroath's fortunes.
- By Graeme Bletcher
- Published in the Courier : 30.08.11
- Published online : 30.08.11 @ 12.12pm
Louise McGivney opened the county's first and only "fairytale shop" — Sarah-Lou — in February this year and claims her business is one of a small army staging a comeback against the boarded-up town centre.
The entrepreneur believes Arbroath is in the throws of an upsurge, after a number of independent and chain stores opened new premises this year.
Her unusual store is aimed at girls and sells everything a young lady would need to become a storybook princess for a party.
Although the high street still has a number of vacant outlets, Louise insists there is reason to be optimistic for the town's future.
She said: "I do agree that many of the large retailers have closed, but this is no different from anywhere else. Arbroath is a little town struggling like all other towns in the UK, but we are trying hard, and we are trying hard to attract people from surrounding towns and cities to come and enjoy our historic town.
"My shop is a girls' shop selling fairy clothing, shoes, dresses, doll's clothes, hair accessories and so much more. I have had people from Newcastle, Dundee, London, Glasgow, several from Aberdeen, not to mention all the local support from Arbroath and the smaller surrounding towns.
"I want people to know that retail is not dead in the town and, as well as Poundland and Home Bargains, other shops are opening."
Home Bargains opened their new £500,000 store in the Abbeygate Centre over the weekend, creating 30 jobs in the process. The shop is next door to competitor Poundland and offers a range of goods from toys and sweets to electrical goods and fragrances.
Louise highlighted that in addition to discount stores, a number of other traders have started up this year, including Zeb for Occasions which sells ladies' wear, JM Bakery from Carnoustie, Harper Interiors, Cash for Clothes, Boots Optician and Peacocks Clothing. A new Asda store is due to open in November on the outskirts of the town and a Greggs bakery is also in the pipeline for the high street at the site of the former Stead and Simpson shoe retailer.
Louise said: "Arbroath is a normal town struggling with the recession the same as everywhere else and continued negative press on the retail sector creates a self-fulfilling situation."
Continued...
11.05pm - 30.08.2011 Johnj - Arbroath, Scotland Report This
B&M are opening in Arbroath and are currently hiring staff. There's the confirmation. The only danger is the possibility that all the major retailers are supplying similar low priced products. So Poundland, Home Bargains, B&M, The Pound Shop and Nickle n Dime are all offering much the same.
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