'Confusing' bus gates concerning city shop owners

Restricting some roads in Aberdeen to buses is driving customers away from city centre businesses, according to some businesses.

The concerns follow this month's closure of Haigs Food Hall in Schoolhill which had operated for 12 years.

The bus priority routes in the city centre were implemented in August last year.

Council co-leader Ian Yuill said footfall was recovering and bus passenger numbers had increased.

The restrictions, called bus gates, were introduced to reduce the amount of general traffic on Market Street, Guild Street, Union Street and Bridge Street.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) described the measures as a "challenge" for those wanting to come into the city centre.

Jamie Stewart, the owner of Belmont Street gift shop Juniper, said customer numbers over Christmas and early 2024 were lower than the previous year when they were still feeling the impact of the pandemic.

He said customers from the outskirts of the city or Aberdeenshire were being put off by the "confusing" bus measures.

He said: "Bus gates seem to be the main issue, it's a fear factor.

"Where do you go? What do you do?

"I just don't think our city centre is built in a way that it really works.

"There's a lot less cars in the car parks, and that doesn't mean more people are getting the bus."

Mr Stewart said the closure of smaller shops like Haigs and larger stores such as John Lewis was concerning.

He said what pulled people into the city centre were shops, adding: "You need lots of different shops."

Mike Duncan, FSB north-east development manager, said the restrictions went against the aim of attracting people to the city centre.

He said: "That's what small businesses are concerned about, it is easier to do something else rather than come to Aberdeen city centre.

"The council has a lot of work to do."

He added high business rates and energy costs were putting a strain on businesses.

Council co-leader, Liberal Democrat Ian Yuill, said he will meet with the FSB to discuss their concerns but admitted it was too early to make a decision on bus gates.

He added: "What is quite clear is the reliability of bus services has improved and the number of passengers has increased.

"But as you know, Aberdeen City Council like others in Scotland does not set business rates."