Aberdeen City Centre : Towards Recovery and Reinvention
Aberdeen Inspired is hosting a virtual event for all levy-payers at 2pm on 15th of April to discuss how the city centre can recover from the impact of the pandemic and reinvent itself to remain a dynamic, vibrant, diverse and attractive hub in light of the loss of retail and hospitality businesses.
Keynote speakers Ben Pykett, Director of PWC and one of the authors of the Good Growth for Cities Report Ojay McDonald, Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management will explore the challenges facing town and city centres, what needs to be done to help them recover and provide examples of reinvention from up and down the country.
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired will discuss how the BID will tackle recovery and reinvention through the objectives laid out in its five year Business Plan 2021 – 2026.
Please put the date in your diary and look out for the formal e-invitation with all the details.
Scottish Roadmap out of lockdown
The First Minister has provided a roadmap for the easing of COVID-19 restrictions across Scotland which are summarised in this Scottish Government graphic.
The easing of restrictions will begin on Monday 5th April when hairdressers, barbers, garden centres and some other non-essential retail will be permitted to reopen. From Friday, 2nd April the 'stay at home' rule will be replaced by a 'stay local' message.
In response to this latest announcement Aberdeen Inspired CEO Adrian Watson said, “We welcome more detail around the proposed timeline, which is what many of our city centre businesses have been asking for. Sadly, it may come too late for some, but it is vital that government support continues as indicated today.
"Of course, there is an appreciation that public health has primacy, but the economic health of Aberdeen City Centre is critically important to so many in the north-east of Scotland and beyond, and we trust that when we begin to emerge from Covid-19 in the coming weeks and months that our city centre will receive both the local and national support it deserves in facing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Get ready to accept the Aberdeen Gift Card as restrictions ease
With restrictions easing over the coming weeks, many members of the public will have their first chance to use their Aberdeen Gift Cards they received since it launched in December!
With over 160 businesses in Aberdeen City already signed up, the Aberdeen Gift Card is the perfect way to experience your city centre.
Our Aberdeen Gift Card team have prepared some useful materials to help you and your teams in processing the Aberdeen Gift Card, including a handy till point guide. We hope to be able to visit as many of our Aberdeen Gift Card accepting businesses in the run up to your reopening.
If your business is opening soon and you have not yet heard from our team - or if you would be interested in getting involved with the Aberdeen Gift Card - please contact us directly at angela.taylor@aberdeeninspired.com
And find out more about the Aberdeen Gift Card here
Proposed closure of John Lewis in Aberdeen
John Lewis and Partners decision to close their Aberdeen department store is a devastating blow for the city centre, John Lewis staff and the people of the north east.
"This is devastating news for the city given the nearest John Lewis store will now be more than 100 miles away.
John Lewis is an iconic, trusted and respected retail brand which employs 265 local people, its loss will be felt widely by both staff and the people of the north east.
"Aberdeen Inspired are talking with partners to see if there is anything we can do to persuade John Lewis to reconsider this closure and save the Aberdeen store. Shoppers are attracted to the city by the presence of John Lewis which in turn supports other city centre businesses.
"Whilst Aberdeen does of course still have a vibrant retail offering unfortunately this proposed closure is symptomatic of where town and city centres are across the UK and stresses that Aberdeen city centre needs to deliver a refreshed vision through the city centre masterplan to meet the challenges and opportunities of this modern age and this needs joined up support at both a local and national government level."
Nuart Aberdeen features in The Guardian's British Grand Tour
The fantastic street art of Aberdeen featured in The Guardians "A very British grand tour … for 2021", a reimagining of the cultural odyssey across Europe in the past. Our world class street art features alongside Shakespeare's Globe, the Eden Project and the V&A Dundee.
Read the full article here
Business Rates Relief application 2021-2022
A reminder for city businesses that Business Rates Relief for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure for the coming year is by application only. Businesses who do not submit an application will be invoiced as normal.
Apply now here
Rescheduled Tour of Britain will finish in Aberdeen
Details of the Scottish stages of the Tour of Britain cycling race later this year have been revealed.
The concluding two days of the event will be held north of the border on 11 and 12 September, with the race culminating in Aberdeen.
The Tour of Britain was cancelled last year due to the Covid pandemic.
The Aberdeen finish will be the first time the race has concluded in Scotland since 2007.
Read more here
Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce Business Survey
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce is keen to understand the key issues, challenges and opportunities that businesses in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are facing at this critical time for the region’s economy.
To help collect this information the Chamber has commissioned an independent research company to carry out a survey on its behalf. All responses are confidential and anonymous, completing it should take no more than 10 minutes and you do not need to a Chamber member to contribute so please do share freely with other organisations.
Click on this link or visit agcc.co.uk to take part.
The survey is due to close on April 26.
City Centre Conservation Area Appraisal Public Consultation
Aberdeen City Council has opened public consultation to The Draft City Centre Conservation Area Character Appraisal, which was approved for public consultation at the Planning Development Management Committee on 21st January 2021.
The Draft City Centre Conservation Area Character Appraisal will update the previous Conservation Area Appraisal for Union Street which was written in 2007, taking into account an updated policy and socio-economic context as well as recent developments.
To find out more and take part in the public consultation, visit the Aberdeen City Council Consultation Hub. The consultation has been extended until the 16th of April.
Scotland to benefit from £21.4m investment in new electric buses in key Stagecoach transport networks
Stagecoach has announced that it will be introducing a further 46 new fully electric buses representing an investment of £21.4m across Scotland as part of its drive to improve air quality and support the Scottish Government’s environmental targets.
This includes 22 electric double-decker ADL E400 buses for use in Aberdeen City
Find out more about Stagecoach's new fleet across Scotland here
Aberdeen Inspired
The period since lockdown in March last year has been exceptionally difficult for Aberdeen City Centre. Aberdeen Inspired works hard to be the positive and strong voice for our city centre at a time when it is most needed. We not only deliver on the ground but strategically influence at a local, national and international level for the best interests of our city.
As we head towards BID ballot later this year we would be delighted to hear from you on what you would like us to prioritise in the next five years. Our CEO Adrian Watson appreciates your continued support and would welcome any feedback to bring our city centre forward. He is always available to meet one to one with levy payers in support of this.