Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election: A tale of two high streets

Arbroath and Broughty Ferry: A tale of two high streets 8 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Graeme Ogston , Tayside and Central reporter and Louise Cowie BBC Broughty Ferry's Brook Street is the bustling shopping centre of the town Take a stroll along the high street in Broughty Ferry and you are spoiled for choice when it comes to cafes, clothes shops and curry houses. Independents sit next to big-name chains, and business is brisk. But along the coast in Arbroath it is a different story, with many retail units in the heart of the Angus town lying empty, and numerous prominent "to let" and "for sale" signs. This tale of two high streets will be one of the issues facing the person elected to Westminster to represent the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry constituency next week. Separated by 14 miles, the two towns are in different local authority areas, with Broughty Ferry, a suburb of Dundee, and Arbroath falling under Angus Council's remit. The constituency also includes the Dundee housing estates of Douglas and Whitfield in the west, and stretches as far north as the Angus village of Inverkeillor. Like many constituencies in Scotland, there are pockets of affluence and deprivation, often sitting side by side. Arbroath's High Street has many vacant units for sale or available to rent Voters in the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry constituency will head to the polls on Thursday 18 June. It is one of three by-elections that day, along with Aberdeen South and a high-profile one in Makerfield, Greater Manchester . This is only the second time the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry constituency has been contested. It was established for the 2024 general election and was created by boundary changes from parts of the former Dundee East and Angus constituencies. The SNP's Stephen Gethins was elected to the seat that year, but stood down in May this year following his election to the Scottish parliament as the MSP for Dundee City East. Harry Simpson is a former Arbroath boatyard owner who ran the business for decades before retiring and passing it on to family. He says the town has been good to him and wants to give something back so he is involved in community projects designed to boost the town, including the ongoing redevelopment of Arbroath's former sheriff court building. Harry hopes the new MP focuses on the town's issues, but said he is unfamiliar with the candidates. He said: "I don't even know them - when you get the leaflet put through the door, that's about all. "It's the people at the coalface they need to speak to. "Their priority is to look after the people in the town." Harry Simpson has lived in Arbroath since 1953 Harry said he was saddened by the increase in foodbanks in the town. "Arbroath is a great little town, there's a lot of talent in this town," he said. "I know a lot of people in the town who have nothing. "People who were working can't get jobs. We're needing industry in the town." He said the High Street was "mobbed" when he was y