Readers have shared their views after the revelation that Moray’s largest shopping centre will close this month.
It is understood that businesses within the St Giles Centre in Elgin have been advised that they must leave the premises by January 20.
The centre, which opened in 1991, currently houses nine businesses but has several empty units including those once occupied by Monsoon, Mountain Warehouse and Superdrug.
It remains unclear what the centre’s closure means for the future of the businesses still operating within it.
Fears have been expressed that the closure will lead to less people travelling into the town to shop.
Reader Douglas Martin said: “So much for town centre regeneration and funding.
“If footfall drops due to continuing shop closures there is very little reason to go to Elgin at all and again little justification for it to continue being home to a full regional council.”
Elaine Blyth said: “I hope the businesses manage to relocate in the town. There are plenty of empty shops.
“Hopefully there is a short-term plan in place to help businesses get established.”
Katy Holmes said: “Going to be a ghost town.
“Why bother going into town?
“It used to be great many years ago because you could get what you needed without having to go outwith Elgin. It’s such a shame.”
Susan Munro added: “Very, very sad and just when the town centre is beginning to look better.
“I hope these shops are able to continue and move to other vacant shops in the town.
“I saw that Waterstones are actually opening more UK stores, so hopefully they will continue in Elgin.
“It really is very difficult to buy the most basic things in town now or even in Inverness or Aberdeen.
“Choice is very limited meaning you are often forced into buying things online and unseen.
“We really are regressing. So much for progress.”
Readers have also expressed sympathy for employees within the centre who now face uncertainty.
Faith Houlding said: “Not great news for all the locals those businesses employ and who may lose their jobs if they can’t relocate nor to have such an iconic building left empty for what looks like the foreseeable.”
David Stewart said: “My heart goes out to the folk that work there that sadly may lose their jobs.”
Tracy Mckerron-Gourlay added: “What a shame for Elgin and especially the people who work in the centre. Wish we could rewind our high street to the 80s.”
In November, news broke that Moray Council was preparing to take legal action to retrieve hundreds of thousands of pounds in unpaid non-domestic rates.
The figure is thought to be around £750,000.
With the centre now due to close imminently, questions remain as to how the local authority will recoup the money.
Mark Maclean said: “What about the money the council are due in rates?
“If they don’t pay then will taxpayers foot the bill?”
Kenneth Johnstone said: “It’s sad but they shouldn’t have let them run up that amount.”
Other readers said they were not surprised to hear the news.
Amy Anderson said: “I can’t say I’m surprised. The stores have really done their best but the place has become rundown over the years.”
Mark Knight said: “So sad but St Giles has been decaying for a long time.
“Hopefully this may lead to a revival of shops on the High Street.”
Barry Jarvis added: “Not a surprise. Units are not a fit for modern needs, costs including ground rent have been too high for years.
“Important question is what happens now and what are the owners going to do with it?”