Business people see population boom as an opportunity

North-east businesses have welcomed the population boom as an opportunity for new customers.

John Pascoe, vice-chairman of north-east business improvement district (BID) Rediscover Peterhead, described the increase as “favourable”.

“It has supported housing building in the local area and employment,” Mr Pascoe said. “But that has not converted to that population shopping locally, hence the reason for embarking on the campaign to secure BID status for Peterhead.”

Mr Pascoe warned if action is not taken soon Peterhead could lose customers to competing retail parks, internet shopping or Aberdeen.

He added: “So we have the population, and we have quality retail businesses, we just need them to get back to shopping locally.”

Ian Sinclair, chairman of the Inverurie BID project, echoed those comments. “Figures for retail here seem to be quite static at the moment. This population boost might have a positive effect, but I am not aware of it yet,” he said.

Last night Jim Savege, chief executive of Aberdeenshire Council, said it is natural for a “great place” like the north-east to attract families.

“An 8.7% increase in population over 10 years has meant a significant increase in demand on council services; children need schools and we have built schools; people need housing and we have committed to an extensive affordable house building programme in the next few years,” Mr Savege said.

“Investment in services and infrastructure is costly and can prove tricky for councils to fund from the increase in council tax revenues a larger population provides but every penny spent is an investment in the future of all of Aberdeenshire.”