Aberdeen had the highest rate of shop openings in the UK (Image: Getty)
Aberdeen saw the highest rise in store openings across the UK over the past five years, defying concerns about the
There was an 82% increase in new shops in the city, revealed by analysis of ONS data by financial services provider SumUp.
Thanks to Aberdeen City Council’s £1 million Empty Shops Grant Scheme, roughly 750 square metres of vacant floor space has been renovated on Union Street, Aberdeen’s major shopping parade.
It gives hope after data revealed 6,945 across the UK since the start of the year until 12 September 2024, with pharmacies, pubs and banks making up half of the closures.
Aberdeen City Council finance and resources convener councillor Alex McLellan told SumUp: “We want our city to be a thriving and attractive place to live, work, and visit and it’s good to see increasing numbers of retail businesses.”
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Aberdeen is also set for a multi-million beachfront redevelopment (Image: Getty)
The investment aims to increase footfall, support new business start-ups and entrepreneurs, and create new employment opportunities.
Speaking to , 32-year-old Ms Dunn who has always lived in Aberdeen, said: “We love the shire (Aberdeenshire) – there’s so many amazing places under an hour away with beautiful scenery, castles and cute shops or cafes.
“The shopping centres are all within walking distance of each other which is convenient.”
Aberdeen City Council confirmed in September there will be a £50 million programme to upgrade the beach into a “must-visit” destination.
Often referred to as the granite city, in the UK by Rightmove this year, with an average house price of £102,601.
Milton Keynes had the third highest increase in the UK (Image: Getty)
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Barking and Dagenham came second in the rankings, with an rise in store openings of 45.1%, closely followed by Milton Keynes in third place with a 36% increase.
The UK cities leading high street retail growth over the past five years
- Aberdeen City – 82.1%
- Barking and Dagenham – 45.1%
- Milton Keynes – 36%
- Spelthorne – 35.9%
- Blackburn with Darwen – 32.5%
- Erewash – 31.4%
- Buckinghamshire – 31.4%
- Hackney – 30.5%
- Mansfield – 30.4%
- Stockport – 29.8%