A BUSINESS owner says the past year has been the toughest for Peebles retailers amid a ‘decrease’ in footfall.
For sale and to let signs are sprouting above High Street retail premises, with six units currently needing new businesses.
Proprietor of ‘The Perfect Fit’ Kerrie Guiney, of Peebles Business and Retailers Association, raised the issue of vacant shops at the town’s community council.
“Footfall in Peebles has decreased in the past year and it has been the toughest retailers have had,” she said. “Plus recently there have been a number of roadworks in the High Street.”
The latest board to appear was above ‘Manse Interiors,’ which Moffat entrepreneur Mike Law opened in spring 2022, after a four-year refurbishment of the derelict Tatler Café.
Mr Law is consolidating his business in Moffat by taking over the huge former Edinburgh Woollen Mill store to open a bistro, garden centre and interiors shop.
Speaking to the Peeblesshire News this week, Mr Law said: “It is a massive change for us.
“I own the Peebles shop and it is on the market for offers over £250,000.
“We have had various businesses interested including a chemist, another interior design company, a Turkish barbers and a kebab takeaway.
“The business rates for the Peebles shop are absolutely horrendous at £17,000 a year, we are a small business and the economy is not great at the moment.
“We have had to decide and to try to consolidate and have it all in one place.
“We will still serve Peebles, deliver and supply to the town.”
Next door, ‘Coltman’s’ has been on the market for some time.
Across the street, former double fronted gift shop ‘Celebrations’ has been empty since the end of December.
Tweeddale West councillor Drummond Begg said: “I am sorry to see some businesses closing and some choosing to expand elsewhere.
“We must do everything we can to attract new businesses and ensure that Peebles remains the probably the best independent retail town in Scotland.”
Next to the Tontine Hotel was ‘The Potting Shed’, which shut around a year ago and is yet to find a tenant.
On the same side of the street is Della’s which also closed last year.
On Eastgate the barber shop next to Forsyth’s has relocated across the street, leaving its former shop vacant.
Tweeddale East councillor Julie Pirone, who is the executive member for community and culture, said: “It is really concerning to see so many of our small businesses facing difficulties on our High Street.
“Our trump card in attracting visitors is the vibrant successful High Street and I would encourage everyone to use you local shops as much as you can.
“I am also asking council officials to look at this matter and come up with a plan to look at what more we can do to make our shops viable.”
In School Brae Scottish Borders Council has Unit Five, which has previously been a hair salon, for let.
Out of town the 28-acre, 14 ensuite bedroomed Cringletie House Hotel is for sale at £2,750,000.
On the bright side, Argentinian steakhouse ‘Asado Gaucho’ is opening its first Borders restaurant in the former Eastgate ‘Osso’ bistro. Work is ongoing for a possible late August opening.
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