A top fashion designer who counts Judy Murray among her customers claims the “dumbing down” of Perth city centre has forced her to shut up shop.
Kairen Ruse says she is “heartbroken” to quit the city because of a series of major changes which she claims has effectively killed off customers and jeopardised independent businesses.
Mrs Ruse, who is preparing to put her Blues and Browns store on the market, said the pedestrianisation of St John Street and the sudden closure of McEwens department store were the final nails in the coffin.
Although the business will continue, she said it is impossible to continue trading at the South Street outlet.
And she has questioned the leadership of the Perth City Development Board, which is spearheading a 20 year masterplan for Perth.
Mrs Ruse, an outspoken critic of the previous council administration, has called on the group’s chairman – former McEwens of Perth managing director John Bullough – to resign.
She said: “I chose Perth because it was a vibrant, busy place with some superb independent businesses. It seemed to have so much style and so much going for it.
“When we first came here, it was a lovely city centre with a real buzz about it. That’s why I invested everything I had into this shop.”
Later, the business expanded into the shop next door. “We were always kept really busy,” she said.
“But then St John Street became pedestrianised (in 2004) and I saw a dramatic change. That just changed the whole ethos of Perth.
“It was the start of the dumbing down of the city. You could see it was starting to look the same as everywhere else.”
She said: “In recent years, I have seen so many of my friends close their shops.
“The detrimental effect that the closure of McEwens has had on Perth is incalculable.
“We have gone from being the Bond Street of the north, to somewhere that just seems grey and depressed.”
She said: “McEwens was an institution. It was one of the main reasons people came to Perth.
“And now, to have a someone like John Bullough, whose business has failed, still in charge of the group that is meant to be leading Perth’s future is just incredible.”
Mrs Ruse added: “I’m absolutely heartbroken to be closing my shop and leaving Perth.
“I’m moving to pastures new and exploring different avenues. The business will certainly keep going and we can still be contacted through our website. We will still make appearances at trade shows and will stay active on social media.”
Mrs Ruse believes that big-scale investments like the revamped Perth City Hall would not increase footfall in the city centre.
Mr Bullough said he was sorry to hear about Blues and Browns’ closure.
“Kairen’s excellent fashion selection and personality will be a great loss to Perth’s High Street,” he said.
“I, more than most, realise the heartache and grief that she will have gone through to make this difficult decision; having shed the same blood, sweat and tears, I can completely understand her difficult circumstances and how she might be looking for someone to blame.”
He said, like other places, Perth had been hit by internet shopping and out-of-town retail.
“Losing Blues and Browns and McEwens are significant blows to our City Centre, but we must still be very proud of our world class speciality retail offering.
“Retail alone will not be the primary driver of city centre footfall in the future and although its an essential part of the mix, we must find ways of increasing the flow of customers to our shops and businesses.”
