St John’s Centre to get £10m facelift

UP TO £ 10 million is to be spent on the St John’s Shopping Centre in Perth.

The centre’s new owners are planning a “significant” investment as part of efforts to attract new and exciting retailers.

The state of the economy has had a devastating impact on the city’s reputation as one of Scotland’s top shopping destinations.

The High Street has lost a number of big names and ambitious plans to reinvigorate the flagging retail heart of the city have come to nothing.

Where they have failed, Universities Superannuation Scheme, the owners of the shopping centre, hope to succeed, bringing the “dated” building up to standard.

USS hopes to extend two of the St John’s Centre’s larger units, creating additional space on the first and second floors which may encourage new ‘tenants’.

A review of the property had identified several weaknesses, including small floorplates and a distinct lack of “strong anchor tenants”, which it is hoped the modified units will address.

A spokesman for USS said: “Our investment plans to upgrade and create two larger retail units within St John’s Shopping Centre will allow us to attract top fashion brands, some new to Perth, to this popular, city centre shopping destination.

“We hope to be in a position soon to confirm exciting new brand names.”

LONGER TERM, USS plans to extend the building and remodel it in a bid to make it more attractive to shoppers and retailers.

In a report to the planning authority, commercial property consultants Drivers Jonas Deloitte state: “The applicant recognises that a new civic space in the heart of the city centre and the creation of more space for markets and cultural events would complement the growing café quarter and help to complete the retail and leisure circuit.

“It would also bring additional visitors to Perth, with longer ‘dwell times’, increased expenditure and benefits for new and existing retailers and leisure operators.

“The City Square development will then give retailers and leisure operators confidence to commit to long-term investment in Perth city centre.”

The consultants believe there is significant scope to attract big-name shops to Perth.

One of the key strengths of the shopping centre is its location and USS revealed that this has been reflected in the level of interest expressed by national and international retailers.

St John’s Shopping Centre.