Moray Council and Stagecoach confirm Elgin Bus Station services to stay at St Giles Centre
Services will continue operating from a town’s main bus station after its only shopping centre closes - but backup plans remain on the table.
Moray’s biggest travel hub, at Elgin Bus Station, will carry on serving the public “as normal” despite the site being owned as part of the St Giles Centre.
The shopping centre, operated by St Giles Shopping Centre Ltd, is set to close for the last time today with no word on the building’s future.
It is understood that Moray Council leases the bus station from the shopping centre firm, before subletting it to bus firm Stagecoach.
A joint statement from Stagecoach and Moray Council confirmed that there will be no changes to bus services - although only “for the time being”.
"Stagecoach will continue to operate as normal from the current Bus Station location in Elgin for the time being,” a spokesperson said.
“Moray Council continues to work with all partners involved with the St Giles Centre closure and will keep contingency plans for the bus station under review with Stagecoach for as long as necessary.”
Property firm Upland Developments Limited controls St Giles Shopping Centre Ltd, with both companies led by Aviemore buisinessman David John Cameron.
After the closure was announced - less than two weeks ago - an Upland Developments Limited spokesperson claimed that “severe financial pressures” and Moray Council’s support for out-of-town shopping developments contributed to the closure.
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 Ltd.
Title deeds show that both Elgin Bus Station and the St Giles Centre are located on land owned, since 2014, by an Imperial Tobacco pension fund and leased to St Giles Shopping Centre Holdings Ltd.
The purchase price totalled £4.5 million along with £900,000 in VAT.
St Giles Shopping Centre Holdings Ltd, which sub-lets units to tenants, currently holds the £217,800 per year lease on the shopping centre until 2139.