A major High Street chain has closed its only store in the area.
Elgin’s WHSmith has now closed ahead of the St Giles Shopping Centre’s imminent closure on Monday.
The WHSmith store in Elgin has closed its doors.
The business, based in one of the shopping centre’s most prominent units, said it was “disappointed to be losing our presence in Elgin” as a result.
Revealed by The Northern Scot last Wednesday, the shock closure of the St Giles Centre was blamed on “severe financial pressures” and Moray Council’s support for out-of-town shopping developments.
That was according to a statement from Upland Developments Limited, the company which controls St Giles Shopping Centre Limited.
Both firms are owned by Aviemore businessman David John Cameron.
In November, it was revealed that Moray Council had agreed to pursue £750,000 in unpaid business rates owed by St Giles Shopping Centre Holdings Limited.
At the time of publication, it was not known whether WHSmith are considering opening another store in the Elgin area.
A WHSmith spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the WHSmith store in Elgin has now closed, owing to the forthcoming closure of the centre.
“We are disappointed to be losing our presence in Elgin and we would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us.
“We are also extremely grateful for the commitment of our in store colleagues who we will support with this transition.”