Call for council to help Perth shops

Shop owner voices criticism as city centre business closes

A shop owner urged the authorities to “think outside the box” in attracting trade to Perth city centre as his business closes following seven years of trading.

Gordon Meikle has run Baby Bears on St John Street since 2010 but will close due to competition from the internet and a perceived lack of investment in the city centre.

He said: “I feel the council need to realise the number of empty shops in Perth High Street and start thinking outside the box.”

A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “City centres are now as much about social activity as retail. That is why we (are) committed to looking at new and innovative ways to encourage people to come into the city, to make it a more appealing place to live, visit, work and invest.”

A Perth entrepreneur is calling on the council to provide more help to struggling independent businesses after announcing he is to close his city centre shop.

Gordon Meikle, 34, has run pram shop Baby Bears on St John Street for seven years but feels the council should “think outside the box” and look at “what is happening” to some businesses.

The businessman concedes increasing use of the internet and multiple costs have played a big factor in his decision to shut and he is worried for the future of other independent shops in Perth and wants measures taken to attract visitors to the city.

Mr Meikle claims Perth city centre is “empty.”

“I feel the council need to realise the number of empty shops in Perth High Street and start thinking outside the box,” he said.

“Some of their staff must see what is happening in the city centre on their days off. There are so many empty units in Perth and a city that was once famed for its independent shops is forcing them all to close and filling the place with mobile phone, vaping and charity shops.

“How is that going to encourage people to come into the town and spend some time? Perhaps the council should take a look at what Dundee are doing to try and attract visitors rather than spending all this money on a City of Culture 2021 bid.

“How can they promote a city of culture when the city centre is empty – or certainly will be by the time it comes?”

Mr Meikle said he feels “something must be done” by the local authority to address such shop closures.

“We moved from the Old High Street in 2010 to expand and felt things were going well but it seems businesses like this are a dying breed now.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are sad to hear about any retailer closing their doors, and wish the owners every success with their future endeavours,” she said.

“The reality is that the marketplace is changing. The heyday of High Street shopping is no more, as the online market offers 24-hour shopping from the comfort of your own home.

“City centres are now as much about social activity as retail. That is why we, and partners in Perth Traders’ Association, Perth City Development Board, and everyone involved in delivering the Perth City Plan is committed to looking at new and innovative ways to encourage people to come into the city, to make it a more appealing place to live, visit, work and invest.”

How can they promote a city of culture when the city centre is empty – or certainly will be by the time it comes? GORDON MEIKLE

Picture: Phil Hannah. Gordon Meikle outside his Baby Bears shop on St John Street.