Another exciting month has passed here at Aberdeen Inspired with lots happening as always. We launched the fifth edition of Aberdeen Restaurant Week, retained Purple Flag status for the seventh year running and have been working hard in the lead up to Nuart Aberdeen, as well as announcing some exciting comedy names for Aberdeen International Comedy Festival!
Scroll down to get the full rundown on what we've been up to
Aberdeen Restaurant Week
Aberdeen Restaurant Week returned to the city with huge success, running from 24 February to 1 March. With a record number of restaurants participating and the introduction of both street food tours and cookery classes, the week allowed diners to try the vast array of international cuisines that Aberdeen has to offer and gave restaurants the chance to showcase their offering to the public.
But what do you think?Let us know your thoughts on the event to help us shape future editions by filling out our short survey
Two Headliners announced for Aberdeen International Comedy Festival
Comedy favourite Jon Richardson and Scottish star Daniel Sloss have joined the line up for the Aberdeen International Comedy Festival.
As part of his tour "The Knitwit" Richardson will bring his unique self-deprecating humour to his headline gig at the Music Hall on Saturday 10 October. Read more here
And Daniel Sloss will make his triumphant return to the Music Hall after his sell out show there as part of last year's festival. Find out more here
Tickets for both shows are now on sale here, along with previously announced Gary Meikle and Tez Ilyas.
Scotland’s Second Largest Jazz Festival Swings into Action Next Month
Aberdeen Jazz Festival returns to the city this March, with a programme that reflects the hugely exciting Scottish jazz scene of the moment.
From classic to cool to contemporary, there is something for everyone in the line up, and with stand out events such as Jazz on the Green and the West End Blues Trial, the public will be able to sample many different styles of jazz.
Aberdeen Inspired is proud to sponsor the Aberdeen Jazz Festival and we're looking forward to the festival later this month
Find out more about the festival here
Aberdeen retains Purple Flag status for record seventh year
Aberdeen has successfully retained Purple Flag status for the city’s evening and night-time economy for the seventh year in a row.
As well as regaining the accolade, judges also chose Aberdeen as one of three finalists for a prestigious national Purple Flag award within the night time economy. This award will be decided at the UK and Ireland’s Association of Town & City Management (ATCM) annual gathering in June 2020.
Read more here
New Everyday Heroes Honoured
From showing generosity towards Canadian soldiers in World War II to spearheading a monumental change in the law, the six new additions to the Everyday Heroes mural in Aberdeen have changed lives in a multitude of ways.
Originally created during the 2018 Nuart Aberdeen festival, the project was brought to the city by craftivist Carrie Reichardt and aimed to highlight Aberdonians who have contributed to the life of the city or society as a whole.
The beloved mural, which was relocated to Flourmill Lane last year, has now been extended to add six new Everyday Heroes after funding was received from Aberdeen City Council’s Creative Funding programme.
Read more about the updated tribute here
ATCM Place Management conference focuses on the Climate Emergency
Our CEO Adrian Watson, as National Chair for Scotland, recently represented Aberdeen BID at the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM) Conference in London.
Part of a panel discussing the transition needed in the adaptation and mitigation to climate change, he provided the perspective of a city adapting to the energy transition. He was also able to draw attention to the steps Aberdeen is taking to continue being a forward thinking and acting city.
The theme of this year’s conference was ‘A Climate Emergency’ and the idea of the Green High Street and how Town Management can commit to implement this by 2050 was discussed.
Tour of Britain to culminate in Aberdeen
February saw the exciting announcement that the final stage of this year's Tour of Britain will take the cyclists into the heart of Aberdeen.
This will be a fantastic opportunity to show the best of Aberdeen's hospitality as crowds from far and wide are expected to visit the city to see this spectacular event, giving businesses the chance to showcase their offering to a wider audience.
Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to partner with the event and support with business engagement.
The event will take place on Sunday 13 September and route will take cyclists from Stonehaven into Aberdeen City Centre.
Nuart Aberdeen renewed for three more years
Aberdeen City Council have chosen to continue the funding of Nuart Aberdeen for the next three years.
The festival, which drew in more that 30,000 people last year alone, has been running in Aberdeen since 2017, with planning well underway for this years edition which will run from the 23 to 26 April.
Along with the renewal of the funding, the council has announced plans for the festival to branch out past its current limits of the Business Improvement District of Aberdeen City Centre.
We at Aberdeen Inspired are delighted by this news and are looking forward to delivering another fantastic edition of the festival this April!
Businesses encouraged to apply for electric cargo bike trial
Applications are now open for a unique opportunity for businesses in the city centre to trial the use of an E-cargo bike. Businesses will have the chance to see how an E-cargo bike could help complement their usual methods of transport or delivery, with the use of a fully equipped bike of their choice.
We at Aberdeen Inspired are proud to offer this opportunity to our levy payers, as we strive for a more environmentally friendly city.
Find out more and apply here
Business Gateway Boost your Business
We are happy to offer our levy payers free business support from our friends at Business Gateways Elevator programme.
Whether it be to Boost your Business or to Refresh and Reboot the Business Gateway has the tools to help your business grow.
This is an excellent opportunity for city centre companies to get the tailored guidance they need to grow and develop their businesses.
Businesses are encouraged to contact Elevator Operations Manager Roz Taylor to find out more
Aberdeen Inspired
Our portfolio of work to improve the city centre and support business continues to expand. From hosting an array of events to introducing policies, we strive to make Aberdeen a destination city to live, work, play and invest. Our CEO Adrian Watson appreciates your continued support and would welcome any feedback to enhance our outputs in 2020 and is happy to meet with all businesses within the BID.