Ross to shine spotlight on St Giles Centre shock closure at Scottish Parliament this week
The shock imminent closure of a major Moray shopping centre is to be raise din the Scottish Parliament this week.
Businesses at the St Giles Centre in Elgin were left stunned when they were told they have until January 20 to shut up shop and get out before the facility closes.
It is believed that St Giles Shopping Centre Holdings Ltd, which run the centre, owe in the region of £750, 000 in unpaid non-domestic rates.
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Douglas Ross says he will “urgently raise” the imminent closure at Holyrood wit government Ministers.
His pledge comes after he attended a meeting organised by Elgin BID yesterday (Monday, January 13) where he heard about the concerns of businesses and charities based in St Giles.
Mr Ross said he shares the “shock and anger” at the “unprecedented nature” of businesses only being given two weeks notice ahead of the closure.
He went on to say he will urge the SNP government to see if there is any action they can take to delay the planned closure date, which is putting up to 120 jobs at risk.
The Tory MSP added that there is still a desire among many businesses based in the centre to remain in Elgin, but they need to be supported to do so and given time to look at alternative premises, something they will be unable to arrange before next Monday.
Mr Ross said: “It was good to have the opportunity to meet with businesses who are facing imminent closure.
“I share their shock and anger at the unprecedented nature of this situation. Although problems with the St Giles’ Centre had been known for a while, it is completely unacceptable that such short notice was given of plans to shut it altogether.
“That has put over 100 jobs at risk and those losses would be devastating for Moray’s economy. I listened to their concerns today and I will be urgently raising them directly with the SNP government.
“Kate Forbes is due to answer questions on Wednesday and I will be bringing this issue to her attention and calling on the Scottish Government to take whatever action they can take.
“Even delaying the closure date would give some much needed relief to businesses and charities in the centre who are crying out for help. There is a desire for many of them to remain in Elgin and Moray but they must be supported to do so, and given sufficient time to look for alternative locations.
“I am firmly on the side of local businesses who have had the rug pulled from under them and I will be putting their points directly to Ministers in Holyrood later this week.”
