A Perth retail “institution” is to close its High Street shop after more than 30 years.
Steven Gilbert, 36, the owner of Campus Sports, said various factors including “crippling rates” had forced his hand over relocation.
The current shop closes on Saturday. A new Campus Sports will open in South Street as soon as lease negotiations are concluded.
“The way things were going I do not think we would survive another five years in this shop,” said Mr Gilbert.
He was faced with moving on or continuing the current lease and decided to take the plunge.
“Anything in retail is a gamble,” he said of the current climate.
Mr Gilbert says that the premises they will move into will be larger and allow them to expand services for the customer.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t afford the High Street, not the size of unit we need,” he said. “There is more value for money moving out of the High Street.”
The current building is also about to undergo extensive renovations to the exterior and the roof and he feared this would have had a negative impact on trade.
“The work is to last six to nine months but it could go over,” he said. “We have memories of five years ago when the paving slabs were laid, that was detrimental to business because of the mess and access.”
It was during that work that the business tried to get some relief from rates but this didn’t materialise.
“We were in dire straits,” he said, adding that if one thing could be done to assist business, it should be a lowering of rates.
The health of Perth’s retail heart and the shock closure of McEwens of Perth have stimulated a great deal of debate on the way forward to ensure a vibrant economy.
Business rates is one of the issues which will be tackled at a “business summit” organised by the Conservatives which takes place in the Royal George Hotel in Perth on Thursday April 28 at 6pm.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman said: “The council is aware that rateable values are out of kilter with current commercial rental levels.
“New rateable values come into effect on April 1 2017 based on rents assessed at April 1 2015, the tone date.
“Therefore rates due from April 1 2017 will more realistically reflect the post-recession economic situation.
“Rateable values are set by the independent Scottish Assessors not Perth and Kinross Council.
“Under the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme, businesses occupying premises where the rateable value is less than £35,000 can apply to the council for rates relief.”