PLANS TO breathe new life into a Perth shopping hub have been criticised for “weakening” the High Street.
Developers Moorgarth Ltd hope to win approval from the local authority to relax strict criteria imposed on units at St Catherine’s Retail Park.
This would help them expand the number of properties available for let, as well as offer a wider range of goods for sale and create a cafe or takeaway.
They believe this would help generate extra rental income required to upgrade the shabby park, which was built in the 1980s and has barely changed since.
There are fears, however, that offering more retail space outwith the city centre would have a negative impact on Perth’s fortunes.
Owners of the St John’s Shopping Centre, Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd (USS Ltd) have dubbed it a “direct threat” to the High Street, claiming it will “draw retailers away”.
“This will lead to a weakening of the unique experience that the city centre has to offer, which will encourage shoppers to look elsewhere to Dundee, Stirling and Dunfermline for a similar experience,” a report stated.
“Our representations acknowledge that out-of-centre and town/city centre retail schemes can successfully trade together, but the retail offers need to be complementary rather than competing.
“The concern with this current proposal to enable the sale of an increased range of clothing and footwear is that the retail park will become a fashion-led retail destination which will, in fact, compete with and harm the vitality and viability of the city centre, rather than complement it.”
An impact study carried out by Jones Lang LaSalle on behalf of USS Ltd revealed that, if the application by Moorgarth Ltd was to be approved, it would have a 18.7% negative impact on expenditure on the city centre.
The report also revealed the impact it could have on tourism, which generates around £202 million each year.
It stated: “The relocation of retailers to out-of-centre locations and the subsequent reduction in retail spend that will consequently be attracted to Perth city centre is likely to make the city centre less appealing to tourists and impact the vibrancy of the city centre.
“This will negatively impact on the amount of money generated from tourism that is spent in the city centre and, quite possibly, Perth as a whole.
“The city centre is in a vulnerable state, at risk from out-of-centre retail development.”
These claims have been strongly refuted by Tim Vaughan, UK Assets Manager for Moorgarth Ltd.
He told The Courier that the proposals for St Catherine’s Retail Park would help the Fair City reclaim its reputation as a “vibrant” retail centre and that Perth should be in a position to offer a “competitive” environment to attract businesses.
Mr Vaughan said: “The issue that Perth currently has is the very limited number of appropriately sized stores.
“Retailers’ requirements have changed over the years and they are now seeking larger stores, giving them greater sales efficiency and broader product ranges.
“The physical environment within the prime High Street is very limited and an accompanying retail park alongside the High Street will support and underpin the prime core.
“This will allow Perth to attract retailers to the city that otherwise, simply could not trade.”
Interest has already been shown in the proposed new units, with the owners of the site identifying alternative tenants.
Discussions are also ongoing between current tenants, as some are either hoping to improve their premises or move away from the area.
“Our proposals will regenerate this part of the city and offer a physical retail environment unavailable within the prime central location,” Mr Vaughan added.
sgray@thecourier.co.uk