Welcome to your latest IN Touch newsletter
The best remedy for the gloom of cold midwinter is to light up the long, dark nights with spectacular Christmas lights.
And the team here at Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to have been part of the drive to bring colour and vibrancy to the heart of the Granite City, with the festive lights and decorations we have introduced to Golden Square.
If you haven’t already checked them out, please get along for a look at the twinkling bulbs around the square, lifted by the red, velvet blows that add a Christmassy touch to the attractive Victorian lamp posts.
The charming atmosphere these little touches have created underlines how even the most subtle of changes can transform a space – and the city itself.
The Golden Square lights are just one of many such initiatives we have introduced, including the suspended street signs marking different areas of the city, the Ceiling of Lights on Shiprow and Bon Accord Terrace and, of course, the Aberdeen Big Letters that have now become synonymous with the Granite City.
These are all different installations in different places but all with one thing in common – they are all glowing beacons that make the city feel welcoming and safe for everyone.
That is something which the team at Aberdeen Inspired – with the help of so many other people and organisations - strives to do all year round, not just for Christmas.
On the subject of Christmas, we are now just a few days away from the big day itself and this will be our last IN Touch newsletter for 2023.
On behalf of everyone here at Aberdeen Inspired, I would like to wish everyone in the city – and especially all our stakeholders and levy payers – a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year when it comes.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
Stories
Lights transform Golden Square into a perfect Christmas Card image for the festive season.
Aberdeen’s historic Golden Square has been given a sparkling transformation this festive season thanks to special lighting and decorations provided by the team at Aberdeen Inspired.
The central railing of the square is now laced with 140 metres of warm, white festoon lighting to create an atmospheric, twinkling glow that adds a touch of magic, with red, velvet bows on the Victorian lamp posts adding a Christmas Carol feel.
You can find out more about this charming change to this historic square here.
Our annual Christmas video is here - A Christmas Wish!
Get into the festive spirit with our annual Christmas video, highlighting the best the glittering Granite City has to offer at this special time of year.
Join us for a whistle-stop tour of everything from the beautiful Christmas tree to the Santa parade and the heart-warming market activities at the Christmas Village. We’ll also take you through the sparkling shopping highlights of Aberdeen as well as the unique atmosphere of the Christmas lights of Union Terrace Gardens and, of course, the iconic Aberdeen letters.
You can see this glorious vision of Aberdeen at Christmas in the video above – created by TVP Film & Multimedia Ltd.
Aberdeen Gift Card - the present that goes down a treat
The Aberdeen Gift Card makes the perfect Christmas treat for your loved ones, your friends, your colleagues, your employees – even your teacher.
This great present allows those who receive it to spend where they want on what they want, from new clothes to a night out, household items to drinks with pals.
The Aberdeen Gift Card is now accepted in more than 350 shops and businesses – from High Street names to local independent retailers, including restaurants and bars – in iconic shopping spots from Union Square to Union Street, taking in the Trinity Centre and Bon Accord.
Even better is the support it gives for local shops and businesses here in Aberdeen.
And don’t forget your last chance to win a £500 Aberdeen Gift Card to use at Union Square. Find out more about that competition here (closes 15 December) and all about the Aberdeen Gift Card here.
Spreading joy for everyone at Aberdeen Christmas Village
Aberdeen Christmas Village spread the joy of Christmas to as many people as possible at a community Festive Fun Day.
More than 600 people from a range of community groups, north-east charities, schools and people with additional needs were invited to enjoy all the fun and excitement of the sparkling attraction on and around Broad Street.
Find out more about this very special day here.
Image credits - Befriend a Child
Our round-up of the pantos bringing Christmas magic to the heart of Aberdeen
Nothing is more magical at Christmas than the laughter and joy of a great pantomime – and Aberdeen is blessed to have three brilliant festive treats on the go at the same time.
Aberdeen Inspired reviewers have been out and about to see Sleeping Beauty at His Majesty’s Theatre, Rapunzel at Aberdeen Arts Centre and Beauty and the Beast at The Tivoli Theatre – and we’ve even thrown in the delightful children’s show The Gift at The Lemon Tree.
Click on the highlight links above to find out what we thought of these great shows.
Reynolds Cocktails brings deliciously packaged Christmas cocktails to Curated in the Quad
Meet Lauren Reynolds, of Reynolds Cocktails bringing their ready made cocktails in pouches to take home to enjoy with friends and family. Their cocktails come in a range of flavours including special Christmas cocktails and gift boxes.
You can follow Reynolds Cocktails on Facebook and visit them at Curated In The Quad this weekend (Fri 15 - Sun 17 Dec) and next weekend (Fri 22- Sat 23 Dec).
See the full stallholder line-up for each week here.
Stay out late in Aberdeen during the festive period
When the night comes to an end, don't stress about finding a late-night taxi – simply hop on the Night Bus at Union Square! Stagecoach Nightbird bus service is running until 14th January on Friday and Saturday nights, from midnight until the early hours of 4 am
Cash and contactless payments accepted with fares ranging from £6 to £9. The bus routes serve many locations throughout Aberdeen, as well as major north-east towns such as Stonehaven, Portlethen, Banchory, Westhill and Ellon. Passengers can travel to any stop along the route.
Download the Stagecoach App and live track your bus for a seamless journey or for timetables and more information. Full timetables and further information can be found here.
Dates for your diary 2024
- The next Union Street Business Improvement District Meeting will take place on Thursday 11 January, 2pm at the Douglas Hotel. Levy paying businesses operating on Union Street and surrounding areas are invited to attend to hear key updates on city centre developments.
Businesses wishing to attend this meeting can book a place by contacting Roulè Wood, Business Engagement Manager roule.wood@aberdeeninspired.com
- Experimental Traffic Regulation Order 2 (ETRO2) consultation period closes on 23 January 2024, Aberdeen City Council will then decide if the ETRP will become permanent. Visit here if you have any specific concerns or feedback on the new scheme.
Aberdeen Inspired would like to hear the views of our levy paying business on the changes. Please help us by completing the following short survey here.
Meet The Levy Payers: Slater Menswear Aberdeen
Some fashions never go out of style – just like Slater Menswear. After all, this family-owned and run business is celebrating its golden anniversary this year and has spent 30 of those 50 years right here in Aberdeen.
We caught up with Ryan Munro, assistant branch manager at Slater Menswear on Bon Accord Street, to find out how they keep the good people of Aberdeen looking sharp and what their hopes are for the next 50 years.
Read Ryan's full interview here.
Wish to be featured in a coming Meet the Levy Payers interview? Email Scott.begbie@aberdeenspired.com
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