Topshop reopening on Aberdeen's Union Street would make sense

It’s been five years since the world went into lockdown and we said goodbye to a British icon – Topshop.

The coronavirus pandemic had many casualties but one that hit me particularly hard was the closure of one of my favourite high street brands.

So when I was flicking through social media the other day and I saw a teaser trailer pop up suggesting it may be making its return, I let out an almighty whoop.

I am aware I am meeting the stereotype of every millennial woman, and I make no apology for that.

I have such fond memories of raking through the racks of the store on the corner of Market Street and Union Street.

In my student days, I would queue outside for hours to be one of the first in line for a bargain or to take part in a special lock-in event.

It wasn’t the same when it moved to the Bon Accord Centre, but at least it was still here.

I have rehearsed in these pages before how much more I prefer the experience of physically shopping. It’s a form of entertainment, education and exercise all in one for me.

I can clock up a decent 15,000 steps a day easily when I hear the stores have their new season lines in.

But with Topshop’s closure came doors shutting on other retailers like Oasis, Warehouse and Monsoon, leaving us with a significantly reduced offering and far fewer opportunities to get in those steps.

Topshop in its heyday on Union Street, Aberdeen.

In recent weeks, though, the tide seems to be turning. The news that Mango is going to be joining another fairly new arrival Zara in Union Square was music to my ears.

Is it so ridiculous to think Topshop could return to Aberdeen?

And therefore would it be so ridiculous to think if Topshop were to start reopening bricks and mortar shops again, Aberdeen may be one of the first places they spring up?

If so, I would put money on the fact it wouldn’t return to its old haunt in the Bon Accord centre. It has particularly struggled in recent years and its fortunes don’t seem to be turning any time soon,

Union Square may be an option. It would exist alongside other chains of fashion retailers but is there an available unit big enough?

And then I thought, would it be so impossible for it to return to one of my favourite spots on Union Street?

The building has lain empty since Caffé Nero exited almost exactly two years ago. There had been plans for a new coffee chain to enter but there appears to be no movement.

Cafe Nero has been closed since March 2023.

Resurgence of Union Street will rely on big names taking leap of faith

I would also be pretty confident in saying rental prices will have decreased since their time on the Granite Mile, and with the resurfacing work going on and Our Union Street’s efforts to breathe new life into our main thoroughfare, we could make a decent pitch.

What’s more, it would be just a few doors down from the new Flint market…

The resurgence of Union Street will rely on some big names taking a leap of faith, and this would send out such a strong message – much like Frasers did by reopening in Dundee.

Just recently, Virgin Money sent out a sign of confidence by renewing the lease on its Union Street building.

While I don’t for one minute think this would signal the reopening of the likes of Debenhams or John Lewis, it’s not too unrealistic to think that some of what left us five years ago may, just one day return.

OK, I’ll try not to get too carried away, but I know I wouldn’t be the only one racing to a renewed Aberdeen Topshop…

Rebecca Buchan is deputy head of news and sport for The Press and Journal and Evening Express.