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‘We are optimistic for the future’: John Lewis building in Aberdeen under offer

Norco House has been confirmed as under offer however no details on the potential buyer have yet been released.

John Lewis Aberdeen
John Lewis closed its doors in 2021. Image: Kenny Elrick/Chris Donnan

A potential buyer for the former John Lewis building in Aberdeen has been found.

The prominent building – known as Norco House – is under offer, after going on the market last year following the closure of John Lewis in 2021.

More than 260 people lost their jobs when the department store shut.

Estate agent Savills has now confirmed the building is under offer.

However, no details on the prospective buyer or their plans for the five-floor property have been disclosed.

If the building can be reused, it is believed its value could be around £5 million.

However, one local commercial property expert said this might reduce to around £2 million for the site.

‘Another important jigsaw piece’

Plans for the prominent building, which has been sitting at the foot of George Street since 1966, have been in limbo for the last two years.

The closure of John Lewis came as a blow to the once-busy shopping street – with council planners drawing up a “mini-masterplan” in an attempt to steer it to recovery.

Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, today welcomed the news the sale is moving forward.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Russell Borthwick. Image: Jim Irvine/DC Thomson

He said: “If the sale goes through, this could be another important jigsaw piece in the plans to bring Aberdeen city centre back to life.

“Developers and investors still have confidence in the future economic strength of the area and it’s down to all of us to make sure we spend more time in town, creating the footfall that businesses need to thrive.”

While ideas for what should be done with it have been coming from left, right and centre, it was only put into use once as an NHS vaccination centre during the pandemic.

One of the boldest ideas for the former John Lewis store was to revamp the building and turn it into a branch of the Natural History Museum.

The former John Lewis building was transformed into a mass vaccination centre. Image: Paul Glendell/DC Thomson.

However, this was ruled out eventually with Aberdeen City Council officials suggesting the “only option” for its long-term future would probably be demolition.

The new potential buyer has now raised hopes again for the future of the building and the city centre.

New hope for building – but what would it be?

There might not be details what the building would be used for – or who the potential buyer is – but readers were quick to offer suggestions about what they would like to see.

Some residents took to social media full of hope for the future of the Norco House, while others shared fears it will be turned into flats or a hotel.

A few suggested the building should indeed be demolished to create more open space in the city centre or so that something else could be built there.

However, the majority of readers came up with a list of their own ideas about how it should be re-purposed.

Neil Robson said on social media: “Could be used to replace the old market and leave where the market was as an open space where folks can chill out and enjoy street foods.”

John Lewis Aberdeen
The building is known for its unusual exterior architecture. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Moragh Gibb shared: “Selfridges, Harvey Nicolls or any department store that could use all the space.”

Julie Addison posted: “Something for kids. There could be an area for a cafe, an area for skating, pool tables, pinball machines etc., as there is nothing for kids anymore.”

Chairman of the Greater George Street Traders’ Association, Stuart Milne, backed these suggestions, saying John Lewis was a big loss to traders and shoppers in the city centre.

The general manager of Finnies the Jeweller hopes the new owner will have similar ideas in mind and re-purpose the building to increase footfall and interest in the area.

He said: “The hopes and dreams are that it’s re-purposed to some kind of a commercial retailer.

Stuart Milne, general manager of Finnies the Jeweller and chairman of the Greater George Street Traders’ Association. Image: Kami Thomson/DCT Thomson

“John Lewis was one of these shops that people would go shop, have a cup of coffee, hang around and meet friends – so footfall has clearly fallen after its closure.

“What we are looking for now is a shopping retailer with cafes, restaurants, a cinema or anything like that to attract footfall to the area.

“George Street has a lot going for it, and we are just hoping this will be the start of filling a few more gap sites and occupying other unused buildings.

“It’s exciting times and we are optimistic for the future. The city centre has struggled in recent times, but the confidence is that it’s been a temporary blip and things will improve again.”

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