Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “The vision and scale of ambition within the City Centre Masterplan, along with the pace of its progress, are hugely welcomed and present clear opportunities to make permanent, creative changes that will benefit our city centre and its businesses.
“Aberdeen Inspired is fully behind the principles of the masterplan and is committed to working with partners to drive economic recovery.
“Our regular discussions and recent survey of levy payers revealed that there is overwhelming support for the creation of enhanced pedestrianisation measures on Union Street with little desire to return to the pre-COVID layout.
“While a number of views were shared, the majority support the proposal to fully pedestrianise Union Street from the junction of Market Street to Bridge Street,
“The vast majority of businesses are in favour of enhanced pedestrian space along the full length of Union Street.
“Our levy payers want to see an end to the Spaces for People measured as they are having an adverse effect on trading, especially around the west end of town. There is overwhelming support for retaining the pedestrian friendly zones in both the Belmont Street and Upperkirkgate areas and further develop the Café Culture, which we have long advocated for.
"We welcome the recommendations on future proposals in relation to George Street and the West End, as we look to see a strategic spread of improvements across the entire city centre.
"We are also delighted to see a focus on the beach area and the associated proposal for enhanced connectivity can only be good for the wider city centre.
“These decisions will have a major impact on our city centre’s future prosperity and growth, and we await the outcome of the City Growth Committee with interest.”
As the Business Improvement District (BID) for the city centre, Aberdeen Inspired represents the views of around 800 businesses in and around Union Street
The plans will be considered by Aberdeen City Council's City Growth and Resources Committee this Friday, 12 November.