Martin Hughes from New River Retail, which managed the revamp on behalf of owners Scottish Widows Investment Partnership, said the area's difficulties reflected the economic climate.

BBC: Abingdon shopping revamp 'failing to attract customers'

Speaking on the Business Scotland programme on BBC Radio Scotland, Mr Naish - who is also a head of real estate at Scottish Widows Investment Partnership in Edinburgh - stressed that the SPF was not against or for independence, but that political and economic uncertainty increases investment risk, and that equates to cost.

BBC: Scotland independence uncertainty 'risk to investment'