Union Square, Aberdeen
History – Back in 2007, at a cost of £250 million, Union Square in Aberdeen opened to the public, providing an array of amenities. A hotel opened as part of the structure soon after, complementing the cinema and over 50 retail units.
Flooding risks – Situated close to the River Dee, as well as the area in which it flows out into the North Sea, this modern shopping centre is overlapped by coastal flood risks and river flood risks – both of which range from medium to high.
Recent flooding – Summer 2015 saw the roads and surrounding areas flooded, causing travel chaos outside the Union Square. Meanwhile, back in 2014, a leaky pipe from a Starbucks store inflicted damage to the Boots store below, causing Boots to be closed throughout the day.
East Kilbride Shopping Centre, East Kilbride
– The largest shopping centre in Scotland, East Kilbride Shopping Centre has over 106,030m2 of space right in the heart of the town. It’s the 18th biggest in the UK, consisting of six different portions, the first of which was built back in 1989.
Flooding risks – The Kittoch Water traverses the eastern edge of the shopping complex, but also poses a threat to roads just north. The Queensway road (A726) behind the shopping centre is at a medium risk from surface water flooding, which could cause severe damage and disruption in heavy rainfall.
Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh
History – The Ocean Terminal shopping centre in Edinburgh is based in the north on the coast, specifically on the edge of the dock at the entrance basin. The area has seen extensive renovation since it closed as a shipyard, with further extensions for the centre being mulled over.
Flooding risks – Sitting so close to the Firth of Forth, the immediate area around the shopping centre is at risk of both coastal and river flooding. The Water of Leith runs into the Albert Dock Basin, which then leads into the entrance basin. Patches of surface flooding could occur directly outside the front of the shopping centre, but the risk is not as great as elsewhere in the capital for this type of flood.
St. Enoch Centre, Glasgow
History – The St. Enoch Centre sits in the heart of Glasgow, housing an array of top name stores, cafes and eateries. It first opened in 1989 after three years of development and was opened by then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and is currently the 40th largest shopping centre in the UK, and the fifth largest in Scotland.
Flooding risks – While the shopping centre sits far enough away from the River Clyde to avoid river and coastal flooding, the high risk of surface water flooding could easily be compounded by the Clyde in severe weather. The streets on the southern edges of the complex are most at risk from surface water flooding.
Recent flooding – Subway stops for the centre closed in August 2016 for a short period due to ongoing works being impacted by flooding.
Silverburn Centre, Glasgow
History – Sitting south-west of the Glasgow city centre, the Silverburn Centre is considered to be an ‘out of town’ shopping facility in Pollock. Scotland’s fourth largest shopping centre, it opened in 2007 and houses 95 shops as well as 14 restaurants – not to mention a supermarket.
Flooding risks – With the Brock Burn snaking tightly around the western edge of the shopping centre, it’s hardly surprising that there is a large area covered with a low to medium risk of river flooding. A medium risk of surface water flooding also covers the shopping centre, making it vulnerable.
The Centre, Livingston
History – The third largest shopping centre in Scotland, The Centre has 92,900m2 of space at the heart of Livingstone. Having undergone numerous refurbishments, the shopping facilities have been expanded massively since its first opening in 1976. This shopping centre is sometimes referred to as Almondvale Shopping Centre because of where it sits.
Flooding risks – Scattered surface water flooding risks around the shopping centre are liable to cause some concern, while the River Almond just across the road presents a high chance of river flooding. Set back far enough, the shopping centre may well be clear of harm barring extreme conditions, but surrounding roads may suffer in a downpour.
Intu Braehead, Renfrewshire
History – Intu Braehead is the second largest shopping centre in Scotland, originally opening in 1999. The 98,474m2 of space houses 110 stores and much more besides. In 2013 the facilities were rebranded by Intu and there are currently plans to expand on what else the area can offer for visitors.
Flooding risks – As an area, Braehead has a myriad of coastal and river flooding risks, mainly due to the River Clyde, the banks of which it sits on. The Intu shopping centre is also susceptible to these risks, along with scattered surface water flooding risks.
Recent flooding – Flood warnings were in place for Renfrew in January 2016, with the Braehead area covered by these warnings. High tides and heavy rain caused streets around the Clyde to become submerged.
