Councillor Alexander Stewart has today responded to concerns expressed by locals regarding the number of empty units in St John’s Shopping Centre.
Councillor Stewart said: “Like cities all over the country we are experiencing difficult trading times which affect our city centre but the rise in vacant units in our shopping complex after the Festive Season is now becoming very obvious.
Units of that size and stature in a shopping complex may carry a substantial rent and I would hope that the owners of the Centre are sympathetic to potential tenants and are looking at various options, at least in the short term, to support and assist business enquiries.
It is vitally important that to compete in the retail sector we have a vibrant city centre offering residents and visitors alike a varied array of shopping experiences both through independent and chain store outlets. Perth is still seen as a prime location for small, specialist retailers and we as a Council along with our partners remain proactive in our efforts to encourage new business to the City.
I am confident that we will attract new clients into the shopping centre as we emerge from the recent recession.”