Moray and Aberdeenshire shoppers in Elgin, Forres, Banff, and Macduff share their thoughts on whether the area’s high streets are declining
It’s safe to say town centres across Moray and Aberdeenshire have seen an increase in the number of empty units and shops for sale along their high streets. But why is this?
Reporters Alistair Whitfield, Garry McCartney, and Kyle Ritchie ventured out to Elgin, Forres, Banff, and Macduff to see if they could get some answers …
High rent rates for shop units were one of the reasons given for the decline in independent businesses within the area’s town centres.
Tony’s Driver Training Centre, in Elgin, once had its entrance facing onto the High Street.
But nowadays, because of the rates, it’s situated up one of the lanes, while it rents out part of the building to the Pluscarden Abbey charity shop.
Lorna Driscoll, who works for the motoring school, said: “If the rates were lower then less of the units would be empty.
“The council would probably end up receiving more money in the long run.”
Sandy Bishop, a shopper in Banff, explained that “high costs” are making it harder for businesses to start up.
She said: "I remember a time when the town had multiple shops for each industry, for example, three or four bakers and butchers.
"Those days are long gone and it is now much harder for businesses to start up with the high costs involved.
"There is scope for more support to be available to help entrepreneurs set up in the town centres.
"It is difficult times but I suppose it is adapting to them and finding a way to keep a business sustainable."
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Elgin town centre had its highest number of empty shops since records began 14 years ago.
In April there were 40 vacant units, up from 32 recorded in 2021.
Forres had also seen a rise to 13 in the last three years, while Buckie had seen 11, Lossiemouth five and Keith seven.
Recently Elgin lost Carpetright, Finecraft Picture Framing, and the Northern Fish Restaurant.
Hazel Robertson, who runs the nearby St Michael's Guest House on Northfield Terrace, reckons the town needs more up-market places to eat.
She said: “There’s no lack of takeaways, which is fine, but we could do with more sit-down restaurants. That would help the town as a tourist destination.
“It’s also a shame that Highfield House, the old surgery building opposite, is still empty.”
However, some business owners were frustrated by the amount of negativity.
One said: “The problem is that, even if there’s a good story about the High Street, some people on social media insist on making snarky comments.”
Another agreed with this standpoint wholeheartedly. She said: “There are too many moaners who seem to enjoy doing down the very place where they live themselves.
“Thankfully, though, there's still a lot of businesses about in the town centre. We work hard but we also have a laugh and a joke with each other.
“It’s about community and it’s about meeting people.”
Shoppers in Forres had strong and poignant memories of how their High Street once was.
Campbell Falconer, from Forbeshill, said: “The Washington newsagents was a great shop owned by lovely people. I've fond memories of the Zandres family as a child, especially their ice creams and sweets!
“Stables, the grocer, was great too. I remember the nice smells of the foods - everything was loose so you could weigh the produce.
“RTVs and RTVs 2 was another favourite for videos, records and arcade games. It was magic to be able to go into a shop in my own town for tape cassettes, music t-shirts, stickers and badges.”
The mechanical transport driver at RAF Lossie did say that Forres isn’t unique in losing favourite shops and that it is “happening all over”.
Anita Berry, who was also shopping in Banff said: "It is hard for high street businesses now with the competition from supermarkets and online shopping.
"However, I believe there is still a place for local businesses as they can offer products which the larger stores don't have.
"When you are constantly scrolling online I have found myself struggling to find a gift or something like that as there is too much and you get overwhelmed, but I was then able to find the perfect item in a local shop.
"You also get the personal service when you shop in town which you can't get in the big stores.
"There has been some regeneration activity which has helped and building on that to assist business to keep the town centre thriving is needed."
Back in Forres, more high street goers were reminiscing of the past.
Judy McGregor, who was out with her grandchildren, Lily (10), Olly (5) and Ava Gardiner (8), thought back to several shops she missed.
The great-grandmother and Forres resident of 26 years said: “I miss DE Shoes - you have to go to Elgin for them now.
“Also The Washington for birthday cards, and The More Store which sold everything.
“McKay's is a big miss too. You can't get kid's clothes from anywhere but Tesco now!”
Kevin Skivington also mentioned The Washington.
He said: “I miss the variety of items you could get there, the Smoker's Shop was handy for sports stuff! and I liked The Fruit Orchard and its owner Robbie.
“Also, Sandy Macconnachie's SM Sports. He was another nice guy with a good variety including the new football kits.”
Tracey MacDonald said she misses the Forres High Street shops in general.
She said: “My friend was visiting recently and she noticed the difference. When I first moved here aged eight or nine, there were three shoe shops!
“Happy Days was a great shop run by my best friend's family. I loved going there to play with the toys! There aren't any toy shops here anymore.
“I also used to love going to Ramages fruit and veg' shop. You could get weights of produce which saved on waste.
“There was also Younies - my great nana’s family ran it. She was a Younie before she married.”
In Macduff, Douglas Barry explained that the “modern world” is making it difficult for high street retailers.
He added: "There was a Shop Local initiative which seemed to help and got people thinking about going to the high street first when they needed something.
"In this modern world though it is tough to keep that momentum going with all the competing retailers and choices there is now.
"There is always a boost around the Christmas shopping period and it is maybe worth looking at events throughout the year to help bring people into the town centre.
"What is key is that businesses and other relevant organisations need to work together to ensure everyone is working towards the same goal."
