Jamison and Carry fears that a takeaway next door could mean Swiss watchmakers don’t want their plush goods sold from a new Union Street “boutique”.
Last November, the iconic north-east jeweller unveiled £1 million plans to revamp a pair of neighbouring shops that have been lying empty for years.
The former All Saints clothes shop and the old Money Shop across the road at the entrance to Belmont Street are being renovated.
The former clothes shop will “provide a better showcase” for big-name brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe.
And a specialist Tag Heuer watch store will open on the corner at 132 Union Street.
Bosses made particular mention of “enhancing their current surroundings” when they launched the plans to do up the vacant shops.
But just weeks after the scheme was announced, Kent-based Koinonia Investments submitted proposals to turn the old RS McColl at number 130 into a takeaway.
Jamieson and Carry’s solicitors quickly wrote to the council to object – saying the development would “undermine the character” of the area they’re looking to upgrade.
And the jewellers also warned that it could cause Swiss avant-garde watchmaker Tag Heuer to axe its deal with the city centre institution.
Top-end brand ‘demands high-standard surroundings’
In a letter to the local authority, Brodies solicitor Elaine Farquharson-Black explains the high standards set by the luxury brand.
She wrote: “The distribution agreements for these top end brands demand that retailers are located in surroundings which are commensurate with the high standards associated with the watches themselves.
“Regular spot checks of the area are carried out by brand representatives.”
She also underlines the “considerable investment” Jamieson and Carry is ploughing into “Aberdeen’s first stand-alone Tag Heuer watch boutique”.
The lawyer adds: “In line with our client’s ethos, this boutique will place the customer experience and service at its forefront.
“The project will create six new permanent full-time job positions.”
The letter also stressed that Jamieson and Carry’s seven-figure investment “cannot be overstated”.
It hailed the local firm as “an essential retail presence which helps to provide an element of prestige to the city’s main street” and “ought to be supported”.
But Aberdeen City Council’s planning department has now dismissed the objection as it rubber-stamped the takeaway proposal…
Why did the council approve takeaway next to Jamieson and Carry?
The local authority’s planning department cited the need for Union Street to “diversify”.
They also stressed the urgent need to fill empty units along the stretch.
Planners add: “It is clear that over the past number of years, especially during the Covid
pandemic, traditional high streets are facing challenges due to changing retail patterns.
“Therefore, to enable the city centre to prosper, it must be supported by a broad mix of uses.”
Planners: ‘It’s this or nothing’
They also say that approving the plans will mean 19% of the units along the 130m stretch between Bridge Street and Market Street are takeaways – which would not count as an “over-concentration”
The report concludes: “If not approved there is the potential that this unit, which is currently vacant, is likely to remain as such.”
Do you think Union Street has too many takeaways? Let us know in our comments section below
Under the scheme, extract vents will be fitted to the north-west of the C-listed building.
Though the changes have been approved, there isn’t any confirmation on the type of takeaway that could set up shop there.
The family-run jewellers dates back to 1733.
It has occupied the same space on the Granite Mile since 1925.
The plans were unveiled last year amid crisis talks on the future of Aberdeen city centre.
Jamieson and Carry declined to comment on the takeaway being approved.
You can see the proposal here.
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