St Giles businesses forced out due to centre closure find new Elgin city centre homes thanks to grant scheme
Several businesses made homeless by the closure of a shopping centre have been successfully relocated thanks to a new grant scheme.
Moray Council’s Business Support Grant scheme was launched to help businesses who had to vacate the St Giles Centre in Elgin when it closed earlier this year.
The initiative was designed to help displaced businesses stay in Elgin town centre by providing financial support for relocation, refurbishment, and operational adjustments. Developed by the Multi-Agency Emergency Task Force, which was formed in response to the closure announcement on January 8, the initiative aimed to minimise disruption and sustain economic activity in the town centre.
The grant scheme was funded through the UK government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and approved by the Moray Economic Partnership.
Several businesses have since successfully relocated, allowing them to continue serving customers and contributing to the town’s economy. The new locations of the businesses supported are: Fab Brows Bar - now welcoming customers at 77 High Street, Elgin, continuing to offer expert brow and beauty treatments; Box Brand - the custom clothing and merchandising firm can be found at 15 Harrow Inn Close, Elgin IV30 1BP; Asher’s Bakery - is operating from 55 High Street, Elgin IV30 1EE, serving their well-loved range of fresh baked goods; Moray School Bank - is now supporting local families from 4 Lossie Wynd, Elgin; Ramsdens - continue to offer financial services and retail goods at 12 Batchen Street, Elgin IV30 1BH.
Councillor Marc Macrae, chairman of Moray Council’s economic development and infrastructure services committee, said: "The closure of the St Giles Centre was a significant challenge for local businesses, and we’re pleased that the Business Support Grant, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, has helped many of them secure new premises.
“These businesses are an essential part of Elgin’s retail and service offering, and it’s fantastic to see them up and running in their new locations swiftly."
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a key component of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda. The 2022-2025 programme provided £2.6 billion for local investment by March 2025 to improve pride in place and enhance life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local businesses, and developing people and skills.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
