The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Retail recovery proposals
As Covid-19 lockdown measures continue to ease, one major step towards normality is the return of non-essential retail.
But the retail sector has generally been in decline even pre-pandemic, and most activity in recent years continues to be centred on out-of-town retail and supermarket developments.
Last July, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government Aileen Campbell set up a review group.
The aim was to look at the town centre action plan of 2013 and to consider how Scotland’s town centres can be made greener, healthier, more equitable and inclusive places and to come forward with a revised plan.
The review group recently published its recommendations.
One of the three key recommendations states “the Scottish Government should review the current tax, funding and development systems to ensure that wellbeing, economy and climate outcomes, fairness and equality are at their heart”.
Potential suggestions for action include amendments to non-domestic rates and VAT, the introduction of a digital tax and out-of-town parking space levies, as well as a moratorium on out-of-town developments.
These measures back up calls from high street and local retailers to curb the advancement of out-oftown developments and booming online retail markets. It remains to be seen what, if any, of these measures the next Scottish Government will take after the May election.
But, despite the challenges of the pandemic, in the latter part of 2020, demand has steadily increased within the secondary retail market.
Secondary retail normally refers to smaller properties, located outwith the traditional high street.
This market generally attracts the likes of barbers/ hairdressers and beauticians along with specialist retailers, where a high street location or high footfall is less essential.
In Dunfermline, recent deals include the sale of the retail unit at 25 James Street, which has since been quickly let to a new tenant by the new owner and is set to begin trading in the next few weeks.
Similar secondary retail properties are under offer in Rosyth, Cowdenbeath and other Fife towns as demand outweighs supply in some areas, and retailers and service providers across the wider region open their doors once more.