Plans for a new Banchory retail park have been hailed as “great news” by some, while others fear it could be the death of the town’s High Street.
On Thursday, developers unveiled proposals to bring Lidl, an M&S Food store, Home Bargains, a new garden centre and a Starbucks drive-thru to the outskirts of the town.
The scheme has been welcomed by some, relishing the chance to pick up cheaper groceries and excited about the dozens of potential jobs.
However others say it would leave town centre traders out of pocket, resulting in a deserted High Street in years to come.
And you can have your say by taking part in our poll:
Our social media pages were flooded with comments from impassioned locals…
What’s the argument for the retail park?
Applicants Banchory Estates Ltd say the venture will create jobs while sparking the regeneration of the wider town.
And posting on the P&J’s Facebook page, Callum Gray hailed the “great news” that discount chains like Lidl and Home Bargains could be on their way.
He added: “In these times of financial uncertainty, it’s good to see some lower cost shops coming to Banchory!
“Just about everyone here has been screaming for an Aldi or a Lidl for the last couple years!”
Will people from Aberdeen visit Banchory?
Angie Petrie welcomed the idea of “more choice” for locals, and said it would “attract people into Banchory”.
She even suggested that, with “LEZ restrictions and traffic chaos” about to unfold in Aberdeen, more Granite City residents may be tempted to do their shopping 20 miles away in Deeside.
Jason Osgood greeted the “more job opportunities and more to choose from”.
Oldmeldrum’s Steph Cowie was so enthused she said: “Think I’ll move to Banchory!”
And Adam Redpath urged the community not to “fear progress”, issuing hopes that “nimbies” won’t crusade against the project.
Should Banchory residents ‘be happy with what they’ve got’?
Jason Horrocks was less enthusiastic.
Branding the news “shocking”, he asked: “What happens if this forces the closure of either the Morrisons or Tesco?”
Tanya Gibbon agreed: “Why can’t people just be happy with what they’ve got… People will be crying next if local shops have to close.”
Karen Ash simply said the plans would “equal the end of local shops in Banchory”.
Lynn Mutch pointed to the decline of Aberdeen’s Union Street as a reason to oppose the scheme.
She said: “The best thing about Banchory is the lovely High Street and independent shops.
“Have planners learned nothing from the decline of Union Street after stuffing three shopping centres into town?”
Is Starbucks a ‘really terrible’ coffee shop?
Kate Mitchell also voiced concerns for town centre traders.
She said: “What about trying to fill the empty properties on the High Street?
“And seriously, another coffee shop? A really terrible one at that.
“Why will folk come to Banchory for these shops that are already in Westhill, Inverurie and Aberdeen?”
The slow march of Starbucks drive-throughs continues in the north-east, with a potential first foray into #Deeside…
By @BenHendry1 https://t.co/8KveXGh5Bt— Kieran Beattie (@KNBeattie) January 6, 2023
GJ Dunkin isn’t a fan of the Seattle-based coffee giants either.
He said: “Starbuckshire – garbage. Go to your local coffee shops instead of letting their overrated coffee thrive.”
Trevor Hill warned: “Lovely individual and personal shopping experience to disappear, replaced by the same old out of town mass shopping junk.”
Is there space for both in Banchory?
Tanya Sinclair was able to see both sides…
She said: “Love our High Street, this will kill it sadly. Drive-thru Starbucks? No thanks.
“Wouldn’t say no to M&S though.”
Lisa McKay argued that “both local and franchises” can co-exist in Banchory.
She said she “loves” the town’s local traders like Raemoir Garden Centre, the butchers, fishmonger and bottle shop.
But she adds: “I’d also love an M&S Food and Lidl.
“And the teenagers, who don’t go to the coffee shops anyway, will love the Starbucks.
“Let’s not knock it. Jobs, footfall and visitors surely can’t be all bad?”
What do you think? Let us know in our comments section below!
Fate of town centre is up to Banchory shoppers
Raymond Morrison pointed out that ultimately the fate of the town centre will rest in the hands of locals.
He said: “Nobody is forcing you to use [the retail park].
“Shop local and stay away from the shopping malls/centres. The choice is yours.”
You can see the plans here, where you can also submit your views to the council.
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