Another year, another major department store closes its doors in the heart of Aberdeen.
The heart of Aberdeen will be ripped out by the closure of this much-loved store just off the side of Aberdeen's heartbeat, Union Street.
Aberdeen City Council must surely bear some responsibility for this decision.
For years and years, the central area outside M&S has been used by religious fanatics, amateur musicians (some very amateur) and just about anyone who wanted to shout at the top of their voices outside this store.
Walking towards M&S was a very unpleasant experience indeed, as potential customers were hustled by leaflet distributors and the forementioned.
Undoubtedly, M&S has other concerns such as the age of the building and maintenance costs, but I remain convinced that its patience ran out with the nuisance factor outside its front door.
And yet despite this obvious daily public disturbance, neither the Council nor the police took any action and moved the guilty on. Why didn't they? Were they concerned they would be accused of racism or religious bigotry as some of the main perpetrators were people of colour who regularly, and rather painfully, shouted "Jesus" at the top of their voices, for hours on end?
From a convenience point of view, I cannot envisage Union Square as a more convenient location than St. Nicholas Street to visit. But perhaps that's what people do nowadays; they drive to the car park, and walk a few yards into the Union Square complex.
In fairness to Aberdeen City Council with its LEZ plans from 01 Jun 2024, and its bus gates and pedestrianisation, they have succeeded in reducing emissions on Union Street. Unfortunately, there will be no shoppers left there anymore to feel the benefit. Union Street has been closed down - congratulations Cooncil, you have done a great job driving everyone away from the town centre.
I would therefore ask - now that the bulk of traffic will be travelling along the entire length of Market Street (A956) instead of down Union Street, will you be expanding the LEZ zone to encompass Market Street?
Surely that's the least we shoppers deserve to protect us from all those nasty nitrous oxides and miniscule particulates.
Come on now ACC, what's good for Union Street must surely also apply to Market Street.....
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