Retail Rocks! on course to bring new life to Torry
28/01/10
An innovative scheme to put new heart into Torry by reviving empty shop units to help budding retailers has been backed unanimously by Aberdeen city councillors.
Finance and Resources Committee members have agreed that four council-owned shops, and up to five more to be leased, can be used for the exciting Retail Rocks! Aberdeen regeneration and business development project.
The retail-led concept, which is set to be launched this spring, is a groundbreaking way of re-energising communities by creating new local shops.
The competition-based programme will give aspiring entrepreneurs with a retail business idea the chance to compete for the opportunity to receive a support package from Retail Rocks! Aberdeen by pitching their proposal to an expert panel.
The winners will be provided with a fitted-out shop unit rent-free for a year and will be mentored for their first 18 months by retail experts co-ordinated by Scottish Business in the Community. Private firm Retail Rocks Limited has offered to provide retail expertise and business networking for the new shopkeepers, who are due to be up and running by the summer.
Aberdeen is spearheading the concept with the Torry pilot project which, if successful, could be replicated in other parts of Aberdeen and across Scotland.
It is being funded by the Scottish Government with a £573,500 award from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund, along with £584,000 in in-kind support and budget allocations from Aberdeen City Council over three years, and further in-kind and sponsorship backing from external sources.
Finance and Resources convener Councillor Kevin Stewart said: "This is an extremely exciting and practical project for which I am delighted to have secured funding from the Scottish Government. It will be good to develop new businesses in Torry and good for the existing businesses too. Everyone will benefit from a scheme that promises to put new life into the area."
Aberdeen City Council chief executive Sue Bruce is chairing the project steering group to oversee the project's implementation and report on its progress.
She said: "This is a very innovative and inspiring project, which is using retail as the catalyst to help regenerate the area. Aberdeen is leading the way with this concept, which could become a model for other parts of the city. I am sure it will be a great success and that what we aim to achieve here will inspire more Retail Rocks! projects elsewhere in the country."
If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 08456 080910.
