St Giles Centre liquidators pledge to work with Moray Council
The company behind the St Giles Centre has officially entered liquidation.
As a result, assets owned by St Giles Shopping Centre Holdings Limited will be sold off to repay those who are owed money - including Moray Council.
Liquidators Alistair McAlinden and James Dewar, from the firm Interpath, were appointed on April 8, 2025.
The company, owned by Aviemore businessman David John Cameron through Upland Developments Limited, owns the lease and right to operate the Elgin shopping centre.
However, the actual building is owned by a pension fund for Imperial Tobacco, which is not subject to insolvency.
The St Giles Centre operated for 33 years but closed on January 20, 2025, after incurring a reported £750,000 in unpaid business rates.
In November, Moray Council voted to take enforcement action against the operator.
In a statement released by Upland Developments Limited ahead of the closure, a spokesperson blamed out-of-town shopping, high business rates, vacant units and unpaid rents.
However, the statement also said Mr Cameron’s other businesses would not be impacted.
Alistair McAlinden, head of Interpath in Scotland, said: “The recent closure of the St Giles Centre is emblematic of the challenges facing high streets and shopping centres up and down the UK.
“Tough trading conditions coupled with fragile consumer confidence and increasing overheads are putting enormous amounts of pressure on operators, with a number of shopping centres unfortunately having no option but to close in recent times.”
James Dewar added: “As a matter of priority, we will be working closely with all stakeholders, including the Centre’s owner and Moray Council in its dual-capacity as a major creditor and a key stakeholder in the ongoing development and regeneration of Elgin, to find a meaningful way forward for this important site in the town.”
