Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, and Ojay McDonald, chief executive of the Association of Town & City Management at the national conference in Glasgow. Image - Aberdeen Inspired.
Aberdeen Inspired has picked up a major national award in recognition of its work on cutting edge initiatives such as Nuart Aberdeen, Aberdeen Restaurant Week and Aberdeen Gift card.
The city centre Business Improvement District was given the “Outstanding Partnership” honour during an annual awards ceremony at the Association Of Town And City Management conference, which has been taking place in Glasgow for the past two days.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said he was delighted the organisation had been recognised at such a prestigious event, which brought together placemakers from across Scotland and the UK to discuss, among other things, the pending General Election and wider implications for town and city centre agendas.
“The whole team at Aberdeen Inspired strives day in and day out to make the heart of the Granite City stronger and more vibrant while supporting and boosting the businesses in our city centre,” said Adrian, who is the ACTM’s national chair for Scotland.
“To see that recognised with this award is a huge honour and quite humbling at the same time.”
The Hera mural at Union Point towers over the harbour in Aberdeen. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Nuart Aberdeen is now recognised as one of the finest street art festivals in the world and just last week has added some iconic murals to the cityscape, not least Hera’s work towering over the harbour at Union Point. Nuart brings thousands of people into the city, not just for the festival weekend, but all year round.
Aberdeen Gift Card has been named as the best of its kind in the UK and Ireland and last year brought a £600,000 sales boost to the more than 300 businesses and attractions which are part of the scheme. Since it started in 2020, the Aberdeen Gift Card has injected more than £3 million into the local economy.
Aberdeen Restaurant Week, which runs twice a year, brings discerning diners into the city centre to try special menus – at special prices – while providing much needed trade to the hospitality sector at traditionally quiet times.
“These are just some of the initiatives Aberdeen Inspired works on to attract people into the city centre, have them linger longer and spend while they are here. There is so much more the team does, day in day out to make Aberdeen even better,” said Adrian.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired. Image - Aberdeen Inspired.
He added it had been his honour to chair the national meeting, alongside ACTM chief executive Ojay McDonald.
Adrian said: “We are in the midst of momentous change and challenges in the UK at the moment, not least with a General Election just two weeks away. But it has been a privilege to see the vision, enthusiasm and drive shown by placemakers from around the country to do their best for the communities they serve.”