The Esslemont restaurant to CLOSE amid ‘plunging footfall’ in Aberdeen city centre

Bosses have blamed the difficult recovery from Covid and plummeting footfall for the closure.

By Isaac Buchan

January 23 2025, 4:20 pm

The Esslemont closure comes amid ongoing debate about Aberdeen city centre. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

Aberdeen’s Esslemont restaurant will close its doors amid “plunging footfall” on Union Street.

The Esslemont opened its doors in the ground floor of the famous former Esslemont and MacIntosh department store in 2019.

The venue will close on Saturday, February 22, with staff being redeployed to other premises run by owners McGinty’s Group.

‘Plummeting footfall’ to blame for Esslemont closure

Owner Allan Henderson confirmed that, while business has been healthy for his other venues, it was the “right time” to close the restaurant at the bottom of the Granite Mile.

Allan Henderson, Jillian Miller and Alan Aitken of McGinty's at the venue. Image: Kami Thomson/ DC Thomson — Allan Henderson, Jillian Miller and Alan Aitken of McGinty’s at the venue when it opened in 2019. Image: Kami Thomson/ DC Thomson

The hospitality veteran said: “While recovering from the consequences of Covid closures and recently, lower footfall in the area, we have made the business decision to close the restaurant for the time being.

“Whilst we are disappointed to close the restaurant, we are delighted that we can move our hard-working staff to a new-look restaurant at The Ferryhill.”

Bosses also announced that The Esslemont’s Saturday Spritz will be moving to The Ferryhill from March onwards.

Esslemont’s falls victim to tough time for hospitality industry

The Esslemont closure comes months after the demise of its sister venue.

McGinty’s closed Mac’s Pizzeria, which was on the floor above The Esslemont, in July.

Esslemont's is located in one of Union Street's most historic buildings. Image: Scott Baxter / DC Thomson — Esslemont’s is located in one of Union Street’s most historic buildings. Image: Scott Baxter / DC Thomson

Mr Henderson previously told The Press and Journal that hospitality businesses had been “absolutely shafted” by a business rates relief unveiled in the Scottish budget in December.

A 40% cut in non domestic rates for hospitality businesses was announced last year, but is only available to businesses with a rateable value of up to £51,000.

And Mr Henderson pointed out that only one of his 10 pubs, hotels and restaurants would qualify for this relief.

Owner Allan Henderson blamed the closure on low footfall and the struggle of recovering from the pandemic. Image: Kami Thomson/ DC Thomson

But it’s not only national issues which have plagued Aberdeen traders in recent months…

Esslemont’s closure comes amid city centre wrangle

The Esslemont name has been synonymous with Union Street for more than 130 years.

The iconic Granite Mile landmark was home to the Esslemont and Macintosh department store for more than a century, before closing in 2007.

But the Esslemont family are still flying the flag for business in the city centre.

Norman Esslemont on the Market Street bus gate in Aberdeen. — People have been coming to Norman Esslemont left, right and centre, offering to help him in his fight against the Aberdeen bus gates. Image: Denny Andonova/DC Thomson.

Veteran clothes store owner Norman Esslemont is leading the crusade to rid traders of their woes caused by Aberdeen’s controversial bus gates.

Businesses have aired their struggles since the traffic measures came into effect, with owners reporting both takings and footfall have fallen since their implementation.

This has led to Mr Esslemont banding together with city centre stalwarts to take Aberdeen City Council to court over the bus gates.

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