Firms defiant in wake of shopping centre closure

The majority of businesses left without a home when Elgin's only shopping centre closed are staying or hope to stay in the town.

The St Giles Centre had operated for 33 years but closed on 20 January at relatively short notice, creating uncertainty for both traders and shoppers.

The centre was home to major stores including EE, Vodafone and Waterstones, but was in dispute with Moray Council over business rates.

BBC Scotland News has approached the 15 businesses which used St Giles. Three will no longer have a presence, but most are expected to continue operating locally in some shape or form.

Moray Chamber of Commerce hopes the relocations could actually help the town centre thrive in the longer term.

Telecommunications firm EE was among the big names to lose their premises, but it plans to remain in Elgin.

In the interim it is now operating its store from an EE truck six days a week.

"We intend to stay in Elgin to serve the local community and will continue to support our colleagues and customers while we search for a new home," the company said.

Vodafone said it was "focused on finding a new premises so we can continue to support our customers in the area".

And book retailer Waterstones said it would be doing "everything we possibly can" to remain open and trading.

The Moray School Bank had a shop in the St Giles Centre.

The charity was set up in 2017, with the aim of providing school uniform and warm winter clothing to children living in poverty.

It now has its stock in storage, and is still working in the community in the interim for anyone in need of help.

Moyra Younie from the charity said they only had days to clear out the shop after being told of the closure at the start of January.

But she said local support had made it possible.

She told BBC Scotland News they had received "potential offers" of a new home.

"We are really fortunate, we will get there," she said. "We are a good team."

Local clothes company Smadug operated a pop-up shop in St Giles, and is now focused on its online trade after the closure.

"So my business is mainly online and I stopped trading in the St Giles Centre on Christmas Eve as I was just a pop up shop," owner Sharon Davidson said.

"I'm back selling online for now. Hopefully I'll find somewhere else to pop up this year.

"Elgin is really good at supporting Smadug so hopefully customers will come find me wherever I get a spot."

Ashers Bakery said it was "quite advanced" in finding another shop to move to.

"Our other shop in Elgin is small but very busy and wouldn't have the capacity to take on much of the extra staffing or sales," the bakery's Ali Asher said.

"It is sad to see, but if it means more shops on Elgin High Street are occupied and trading then perhaps it will bring a vibrancy back to the city centre."

Fab Brows Bar has already managed to relocate elsewhere in the town to Elgin Nails Spa.

It is run by Sarita Thapa Tamang, with support from husband Prem.

"The news of St Giles Centre closure was heart-breaking," he said. "We were totally shocked to hear that news. We had no pre-planned location for relocating, therefore had the fear of losing the business.

"It was a very short notice that causes so much stress to find a suitable premises for our business."

He said they "luckily" managed to secure a space for relocation, although it was "almost like starting from the scratch", and he hopes customers will keep coming when they know about the move.

He said they were "very hopeful" they could then find their own premises in the future.

Personalised gift business Box Brand said it would be relocating to a new premises in mid-February.

"While the closure of the St Giles Centre is a significant change for the community, we remain committed to supporting local businesses and residents," owner Lee Midlane said - adding they they would "foster a sense of resilience during this period of transition".

Argos - which said it was "deeply disappointed" at the St Giles closure - is understood to have been exploring possible alternative locations.

Retailer Ramsdens said it was "committed to Elgin, customers and our staff", and was in talks about the way forward.

Whisky business Gordon and MacPhail is "evaluating all options to determine the best course of action" after the "unexpected" St Giles closure.

02 said: "Due to the landlord taking the sudden and unexpected decision to close the St Giles shopping centre, we have been forced to close our store in Elgin. Conversations are ongoing with staff to discuss next steps and we're committed to providing support during this transition."

WH Smith said: "We can confirm that the store in Elgin has now closed. We are disappointed to be losing our presence."

The Works thanked customers for their support over the years.

"We are working to redeploy all team members and customers can continue to shop with us at one of our other stores in the wider area," a statement said.

Subway has not responded to requests for comment.

St Giles Shopping Centre Holdings Ltd had notified all tenants earlier this month of the intention to close after 20 January.

Moray Council had described it as "sad and unsettling news".

Moray Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sarah Medcraf agreed the closure had been a "disappointing development" as it had been a vital part of the local retail landscape for many years.

However, she said Elgin was a determined town.

"This news has undoubtedly impacted the businesses within the centre, their employees, and the wider community," she said. "Our thoughts are with them through this unprecedented time.

"That said, we remain hopeful for the future. We are committed to supporting affected businesses as they navigate the challenges.

"Elgin has a history of resilience, and the business community here has consistently shown its ability to adapt and innovate."

She added: "While this closure marks the end of an era, we need to believe it could also pave the way for fresh opportunities to enhance our town centre and ensure it continues to thrive."