WELCOME TO YOUR LATEST IN TOUCH NEWSLETTER
Disappointment is the least of the words that could be used to describe the reaction to Aberdeen City Council deferring its decision on the future of city centre bus gates.
We don’t need delays or dithering... we need this done now.
And by we, I mean the struggling city centre traders, the business organisations and the ordinary people of Aberdeen who have seen the impact of a drop in footfall and loss of revenue since the bus gates were introduced as an experimental traffic order.
That is why so many flocked to the banner raised by the P&J calling for a Common Sense Compromise on the bus gates – a set of alternatives seen as the minimum needed to save keep businesses alive.
It is an unprecedented and united stand by the people of Aberdeen – almost 10,000 signing an online petition - pleading for a solution to be found to counter the narrative the city centre is closed.
Instead of addressing that issue head on at their full meeting on Wednesday, the council will now hold an emergency summit meeting within 14 days.
It is only a small crumb of comfort that the issue will be dealt with in the next fortnight. Time is a luxury struggling businesses don’t have when they are battling to balance the books every day.
Everyone is desperately looking to the council to listen, to support, to work with city centre businesses and groups and extend a helping hand where it is so clearly needed. To do that with a sense of urgency.
I do not think for a second the voices raised in support of the Common Sense Compromise will grow quiet in the run up to this emergency meeting. If anything, those voices will become louder and more strident. The need for action is now.
On behalf of our levy payers, for all city centre businesses and for the good of the Granite City, Aberdeen Inspired’s will remain one of the loudest voices of all.
The council has said it has listened and will listen. They must. The future of so many businesses depends on that. The future of Aberdeen‘s city centre depends on that.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image Credits - Nuart Aberdeen/Brian Tallman
Nuart Aberdeen 2024 hailed as a signature year for the street art festival.
Named as one of the top six street art festivals in the world, Nuart Aberdeen roared back into the Granite City in a blaze of colour and glory.
With 11 world-acclaimed artists using city streets and walls as their canvas, this year’s event saw stunning murals created at three strategic gateways to the city – the harbour, airport and train station.
From Hera’s instant classic work on Union Point to KMG’s stunning art at Aberdeen International Airport – and many points between – this has been one of the most talked-about and praised outings for Nuart Aberdeen, making this a signature year for the festival.
Check out our gallery of the transformational new works here, then explore the news section of our website to discover stories, features and video artists with this year’s artist.
Share your thoughts on Nuart Aberdeen 2024
We want to know what the most important people thought about this year’s Nuart festival – you.
After all, you are the people who enjoy the street art festival not just over the weekend of the event, but year-round. Your thoughts, opinions and input can help make future Nuarts even better. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, so please give us your feedback here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Umbrella Project brings spirals of colour and fun to Union Square to celebrate neurodiversity
A series of spirals made up of colourful brollies has burst into life in Union Square as part of Aberdeen’s summer-long Umbrella Project to celebrate neurodiversity.
Passers-by stopped to enjoy the unveiling of the new installation on Tuesday – along with a performance by young dancers from Citymoves – which will see the bright umbrellas add colour to the prestigious shopping centre for the next few weeks.
The new display joins the bright umbrellas already livening up Shiprow and both locations will act as eye-catching centrepieces for the Umbrella Project, staged by Aberdeen Inspired in partnership with the ADHD Foundation.
You can read more about it here.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Inspired celebrates winning prestigious UK award recognising cutting-edge initiatives
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 took place In Glasgow.
You can read more about it here.
Image credits - Aberdeen City Council
Set sail for fun with Aberdeen’s first Festival Of The Sea which weighs anchor this month
Aberdeen’s rich maritime heritage will be celebrated in a fun-filled new Festival of the Sea later this month.
The two-week extravaganza, from July 15 to 28, will boast a host of events and attractions across the city, and herald the arrival of the Tall Ships Race a year later.
The Festival will take place at venues across the city from Aberdeen Art Gallery and Maritime Museum to community spaces in Fittie and Torry, Aberdeen Science Centre, Arts Centre, Sports Village, Beach Ballroom and more.
You can read more about it here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Letters set the stage for launch of this year’s panto at His Majesty’s Theatre
Christmas came (very) early to the Granite City when the stars of Jack And The Beanstalk arrived at the iconic Aberdeen letters to launch this year’s pantomime at His Majesty’s.
The panto cast – including Gary: Tank Commander and legendary HMT dame Alan McHugh - said they couldn’t wait to return to bring laughter and magic over the festive season.
The team created a bit of a stir in Union Terrace Gardens as passers-by watched them pose for photos in and around the Aberdeen letters, brought to the city by Aberdeen Inspired.
You can read more about it here.
Image credits - Aberdeen Performing Arts/Marc Brenner
Review: Grease is the word for surprising summer nights at His Majesty’s
There’s a new show in town and Grease is definitely the word on everyone’s lips after last night’s opening of the high-octane musical which delighted audiences at His Majesty’s Theatre.
Fans who are only familiar with the 1978 box office busting movie version of Grease will be surprised by this new revival of the original, grittier, show which has its roots firmly set in Chicago and not California.
The surprises are, however, welcome ones in this fresh revival of a cult crisis.
You can read Shona Byrne’s review of Grease The Musical here.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Meet The Levy Payer: Grampian Credit Union
Imagine a bank that is there to serve its local community, to look after its savers and borrowers and pays out dividends not to faceless shareholders but to its members instead.
Such a caring and committed financial institution already exists at 250 Union Street in the friendly and welcoming shape of Grampian Credit Union.
We caught up with its Chief Executive Officer, Chinyere Adeniyi-Alade, to find out more about the Credit Union, its mission to help people across Grampian, its plans for the coming year – and the advantages of being an Aberdeen Inspired levy payer.
You can read more about it here.