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Let’s take a moment to appreciate just how significant it is for Aberdeen to have the Collective On The Cobbles burst into life.
Here are some 30 businesses, traders, organisations and charities based around the Belmont Street Quarter who have come together to find a way to boost their area, lift the city centre as a whole and broadcast loud and clear the message the Granite City is open for business. It has been a pleasure for my team to support them in this venture.
And their first event – Big Belmont Bash taking place on Saturday, September 7 – is a simply fantastic debut for this inspiring organisation.
I have little doubt people will flock to the Bash, drawn by its rich mix of live music, well-being and sports activities, arts and literary strand, all while leaning into the absorbing history of this ancient part of Aberdeen.
And that’s even before we mention the superb food and drink venues and the always attractive retail mix of coffee shops, boutiques, book shops, gift outlets and clothes shops that make Belmont Street a huge draw all year round.
Big Belmont Bash is brilliant – and everyone at Aberdeen Inspired is proud to be a part of it and to support it to the hilt.
What is so compelling about Collective On The Cobbles is the passion and vision everyone involved has for the Belmont Street Quarter and the city.
It is that love of the Granite City that shines through in their urge to roll their sleeves up and make things better, not just for themselves but for everyone who works, lives and plays in Aberdeen.
That ethic and drive is what makes this such a great city – and something that we could and should see more of.
Big Belmont Bash is just the first outing for the Collective. I can’t wait to see what else they will come up with in the months to come.
Of course, many of the food and drink outlets around Belmont Street are also taking part in Aberdeen Inspired’s own Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks that started on Monday and is running through to September 15.
The Foodie Fortnight is a great showcase for Aberdeen’s hospitality sectore and a great way for discerning diners to enjoy the finest cuisine at mouth-wateringly tempting prices.
So, get out there and tuck into the second serving of Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks. You can thank us later.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks bursts into life serves up boost for city venues
The dinner gong has sounded as Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks dish up delicious delights during the much-loved “Foodie Fortnight” which kicked off on Monday.
A total of 70 restaurants, bars and cafes – offering a dizzying range of cuisines – are taking part in this celebration of the finest food the north-east has to offer, with fantastic deals and special menus to make your mouth water.
And even before it began, venues were reporting a boost in business thanks to Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks, delivered by Aberdeen Inspired, which will again boast special lunch and dinner menus – priced at either £10, £15, £20 or £25 – as well as special dishes and pairings to tantalise the tastebuds.
You can read more about it here.
Image Credits - Collective on the Cobbles
Big Belmont Bash will be a vibrant and unforgettable day
Big Belmont Bash is set to transform one of the most historic quarters of Aberdeen into a vibrant, thriving and unforgettable day out this Saturday, September 7.
And Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, urged as many people as possible to join in this unique event in a pedestrian-friendly zone packed with live music, food and drink, art, storytelling, sports, dance and even historic tours.
Staged by Collective On The Cobbles, a new group of 30businesses, charities and community, Big Belmont Bash aims to showcase just how much the city centre has to offer and underline that it is very much open for business.
You can read more about it here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Prominent Aberdeen politicians back Scotland Loves Local in the Granite City
Two of Aberdeen’s most prominent politicians threw their weight behind Scotland Loves Local Week to celebrate and boost businesses and communities in the Granite City.
MP Kirsty Blackman and MSP Kevin Stewart both visited city centre businesses as part of the campaign being spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership and supported by Aberdeen Inspired.
The Scotland Loves Local Week – which ran until Sunday, September 1 - showcased local people and enterprises and highlight the need for residents to support them to build stronger, more sustainable communities.
You can read more about it here.
Image Credits - Codona's
Traders reminded to book their place at glittering Curated In The Quad Christmas market
Top local traders and creatives are being reminded to bag their place at the biggest and best Curated In The Quad Christmas market this festive season.
Running from six weekends from November 15 to December 22, a call has gone out for the finest local producers in food, drink, arts, crafts, clothing, homeware, gifts and jewellery to be part of this hugely-popular, sparkling event in the Marischal College quadrangle.
An early bird discount is available until September 30 and there is a discount for traders taking a full six-week booking.
You can read more about Curated In The Quad and how to book your place here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Whisky Week
Aberdeen Inspired says slainte to new Aberdeen Whisky Week
A brand-new festival – Aberdeen Whisky Week – will see almost 40 bars and venues across the Granite City celebrate Scotland’s iconic dram next month.
Running from September 5-15, city venues and whisky brands from across Scotland will partner up to create a whisky distillery walking tour around the city centre at an affordable price point.
The event has been welcomed as a great new addition to the exciting food and drink sector in the city by Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, whose own Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks will be taking place from September 2 to 15.
You can read more about it here.
Image Credits - Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry
Businesses and third sector asked to share their experiences of pandemic with Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry
The independent Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry is inviting members of the business community to share their experiences of the pandemic in Scotland through the Let’s Be Heard business survey.
Business owners, directors, managers, entrepreneurs, the self-employed, freelancers, and others in the business community are invited to help inform the Inquiry’s investigations and recommendations by completing the survey by September 30, 2024.
The survey is help the Inquiry better understand the unequal impacts of the pandemic between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022.
The Inquiry is also inviting third sector organisations such as charities, social enterprises and community groups, as well as for-profit businesses to share their experiences and the lessons they believe should be learned so that Scotland is better prepared in future.
You can find more information and take the survey here.
Image Credits - TaleGate Theatre Productions
Aberdeen Arts Centre offers city businesses chance of exclusive panto performances
Aberdeen Arts Centre is offering local companies exclusive performances of its fun-filled panto Dick Whittington this festive season.
The package will allow businesses to host up to 350 guests for Talegate Theatre Production’s Christmas treat.
Amy Liptrott, director of Aberdeen Arts Centre, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this exclusive and unique opportunity to the businesses of the North-east to host a festive celebration to remember; bringing their people, customers, and stakeholders together to enjoy alight-hearted performance of a traditional panto.”
Exclusive hire of the auditorium for the performance is priced at £5,000 – just £14 per guest. Aberdeen Arts Centre can arrange pre-show festive entertainment and hospitality to add to the sense of occasion.
More information about the Sponsorship Packages for the panto at Aberdeen Arts Centre can be found here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Meet The Levy Payer: Citymoves Dance Agency
Strictly speaking, if anyone knows how to put a spring in the step of the Granite City it’s Citymoves Dance Agency...
We caught up with Hayley Durward, chief executive of Citymoves, to find out more about this outstanding organisation and its drive to have dance change lives across the north-east, what their exciting plans are for the coming months – including a fun Business Come Dancing event - and why they chose to become a voluntary levy payer with Aberdeen Inspired.
You can read the whole interview here.