WELCOME TO YOUR LATEST IN TOUCH NEWSLETTER
Boosting Aberdeen’s economy by almost half a million pounds? Now that’s a tasty treat.
And that is what Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks served up in its last outing in January – along with a jump in footfall for the city centre and a tangible lift in diners visiting restaurants in the Granite City.
So it’s no surprise the team here at Aberdeen Inspired are delighted to be gearing up for the next course of the Foodie Fortnight, arriving from September 2 to 15 – with some delicious new additions, such as a fun “Foodie Passport”.
After all, the Business Improvement District is all about bringing people into the city centre, offering them something they will enjoy and linger over while they are here and encouraging them to support local businesses.
Which is exactly the recipe for our always popular Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks.
It really is the ideal opportunity to sample the best cuisine the north-east has to offer at prices that are mouth-wateringly tempting.
You can savour old favourites and have a taster of new gems to enjoy in the future.
But it’s not just discerning diners who win. We know people will also take in other attractions while they are tucking into to our festival of food. They might go somewhere for a drink before their meal, or after – it is Whisky Week Aberdeen at the same time, after all.
They might go on to see a show after dinner or even make a night of it with an overnight stay in one of our many great city centre hotels.
All in all, Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks dishes up benefits for everyone from foodie fans to our vital hospitality sector and the wider economy.
So, put a date in your diary, round up colleagues, family and friends and tuck into the feast that is Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image Credits - Cafe Andaluz
Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks’ new date revealed – as figure show ‘Foodie Fortnight’ served up a £500,000 boost for city economy
Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks dished up a boost of almost £500,000 for the Granite City’s economy earlier this year new figures reveal – as the dates for the next “Foodie Fortnight” are unveiled.
The event, which ran in January, not only provided a bonanza for the hospitality sector it also saw footfall in the city centre jump by 20%, say Aberdeen Inspired, which runs the festival that will return from September 2 to 15.
And a post-restaurant week survey saw 91% of participating eateries say it had been good for their business, with 76% adding it had increased the numbers of people visiting them – in one case by up to 200%.
You can read more about the success of Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks here.
Image Credits - Port of Aberdeen
Big name music acts set to hit the high notes for Tall Ships Races Aberdeen
Big name music acts are set to provide the soundtrack for the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen when the prestigious event drops anchor in the Granite City next July.
Organisers behind what will be Scotland’s biggest event in 2025 – brought to Aberdeen in a concerted effort by Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council and the Port of Aberdeen – say it will feature concerts with national and internationally recognised headline acts.
And a purpose-built outdoor gig space able to hold 7,000 people will be created especially for the music strand of the Tall Ships, which is expected to attract 400,000 visits from July 19 to 22.
You can read more about it here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Big Bounce springs into action offering a ‘wonderland of fun’ for Aberdeen families
Union Terrace Gardens has become a “wonderland of fun” for the weekend as Charlie House’s Big Bounce sprung into life today, Thursday, August 8.
The hugely-popular family event boasts a fun-filled array of attractions from bouncy castles to inflatable axe-throwing and carnival-style games, as well as stalls for face painting and glitter tattoos.
Opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning and running until Sunday, August 11, Big Bounce – which is supported by Aberdeen Inspired – will not only offer fun and excitement for children and families but also raise funds for the vital work of Charlie House.
You can read more about it here.
Image Credits - DC THOMSON
Loving the big buzz over Big Belmont Bash
Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to support the new and exciting Big Belmont Bash event that is set to create a real buzz in the heart of the Granite City.
This fun-filled day on Saturday, September 7, will be packed with music, arts, sport and historical and literature activities as Belmont Street, Gaelic Lane and Little Belmont are transformed into a bustling and vibrant pedestrian community space from 10am to 8pm.
It is being staged by Collective On The Cobbles – a new group of businesses, charities and community organisations determined to show a collective spirit, a passion for the city centre and a desire to show Aberdeen is very much open for business.
You can read more about it here.
Image Credits - Provenance Festival
Provenance Festival set to celebrate the finest in north-east food and drink next month
Food and drink producers and hospitality venues in Aberdeen and across the north-east are set to open their doors as part of the fourth Provenance Festival.
The event will take place from Friday, 21st September, to Sunday, 29th September. Visitors will meet the people behind the brands and hear fascinating stories of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire’s pioneering businesses.
More than 40 businesses have already registered to take part in the festival, which is led by VisitAberdeenshire in partnership with Opportunity North East, supporting food and drink, tourism and economic development across the region.
Read more about the Provenance Festival here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Scottish Government vehicle replacement support for businesses operating in LEZs
Grants are still available to micro businesses and sole traders in Scotland's four largest cities – including Aberdeen - to support them in taking older, more polluting vehicles off the road and move towards cleaner transport options.
The Scottish Government is providing a total of £5 million to deliver the Low Emission Zone Support Fund for 2024/25. Grants of £2,000 are available to micro businesses and sole traders with an operating site within 20km of Scotland's low emission zones.
More information, including eligibility criteria can be found at lowemissionzones.scot/funding
Image Credits - Kirstie Golightly
Sign up for updates on Union Street Central construction project
The works on Union Street Central are clearly of interest to all of Aberdeen Inspired’s levy payers – not just those directly affected by the construction itself.
Morrison Construction, contractors for the project, issue regular status updates by email to keep businesses and traders informed.
If you would like to be added to the Union Street Central project distribution list, please email Kirstie Golightly, the Public Liaison Manager, at streetscape-market@morrisonconstruction.co.uk with the word 'Subscribe'.
Additionally general project updates can be found on the scheme webpage at www.generationaberdeen.co.uk