The north east of Scotland has, for many years now, been a focal point for offshore activity, with the region’s oil rigs and wind farms attracting high levels of investment. Now, however, it seems that a retail and leisure resurgence is beginning to take root in the area, prompting developer Hermistoun Securities to revive plans for a major retail park in Peterhead.
First unveiled in 2006, the development of the site was originally put on hold as a direct result of the financial crisis, which prompted many retailers to rein in expansion plans due to the uncertainty of the consumer climate at that time. Furthermore, when the climate improved, the developer struggled to secure deals with larger retailers and a hotel operator – causing the original plans to be abandoned in October of last year.
As a result the new plans are a little less ambitious than those put forward in 2006, which would have seen a multimillion pound investment programme create upwards of 300 new jobs for the local economy. Instead, the site will create around 240 full time jobs in a diverse range of sectors, with a hotel, pub, supermarket and numerous retail and restaurant units set to be constructed should plans be approved in the coming months.
Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford welcomed the revised plans, believing that residents in her constituency will look favourably upon the turn of events.
She says; “This project is still at an early stage and detail will be important, but any investment that promises to bring such a substantial number of jobs to the area is to be welcomed.”
Peterhead councillor and chairman of the Buchan area committee, Stuart Pratt, added; “Jobs are always going to be welcome in Peterhead, and there’s a lot of people who do want part-time jobs because they’re perhaps looking after children – they’ll be very welcome.”
The site in question lies on the outskirts of Peterhead, in an area known as the Buchan Gateway, and is immediately adjacent to Hermistoun Securities’ previous construction project in the town, a large B&Q warehouse. Altogether, it covers around 20 acres and will offer potential tenants the choice to lease a selection of units, although none are expected to measure less than 5,000 sq ft.
Along with the large number of full time jobs, councillors expect around 450 part time positions to be offered to local residents, with a large number of these to coincide with the construction phase. Development manager John Evans-Freke has already pledged to utilise the local workforce as much as possible during the construction phase.
He said; “We’re based in Fife and it would be impractical to bring our own labour.
“When we built B&Q, the Les Taylor Group did the groundwork and we had painters and electricians from across the town involved.”
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