WELCOME TO YOUR LATEST IN TOUCH NEWSLETTER
‘Tis the season to be jolly – but also the time of year when we look back at the past 12 months and forward to what the New Year might bring.
Here at Aberdeen Inspired we have enjoyed many highs in 2024 – such as delivering the success of Nuart Aberdeen, now ranked as one of the sixth best street art festivals in the world.
We have also had two highly-lauded outings for Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks and the incredible boost it delivers our hospitality sector and the wider economy.
Into the mix goes a well-received first outing for our Shop Aberdeen event, which boosted “bricks and mortar” outlets in the city.
And we couldn’t be prouder of the Aberdeen Gift Card, now accepted by more than 300 local businesses and injecting more than £3.5 million into the local economy.
Also, we are delighted to put a festive smile on people’s faces with our involvement in the Aberdeen Christmas Village and the Curated In The Quad festive market – along with pushing for the festive night buses to get people home safely at the end of the night.
All of this, plus our celebration of neurodiversity with the Umbrella Project and our thriving network of almost 700 businesses – which now includes Aberdeen FC who joined Team Aberdeen Inspired as voluntary levy payers.
But we have also lived through lows, along with other city centre businesses.
The sorry saga of the bus gates has weighed heavily on so many worried traders watching footfall and their profits plunge while the council has paid, at best, lip service to listening to their fears.
And we have seen so much upheaval around Union Street itself with works to change the streetscape of the central stretch, while construction work also takes place to build a new Aberdeen market.
For many, 2024 is a year they would rather forget.
Which brings us to looking ahead and with it the real hope that 2025 will prove to be memorable for all the right reasons.
For all its travails, Aberdeen is a vibrant, attractive city with an outstanding offering in retail, hospitality, culture and cuisine. We must never lose sight of that.
It will become even more so with the advent of that new market and a reinvigorated Union Street Central.
That Aberdeen is open and welcoming is the message we need everyone to embrace in the New Year.
We want and need people to come into the city centre to renew or discover their love for the Granite City.
We will play our part in that by once again serving up great events and festivals – Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks, Shop Aberdeen, and Nuart.
We will also be putting more delights on the table, partnering with Fierce to deliver a new Aberdeen Beer Festival, supporting Aberdeen Performing Arts for the return of the Aberdeen Comedy Festival.
And let’s not forget the high tide mark for our city that will be the Tall Ships Races in July next year. With 400,000 visits expected, it is the biggest one-off event in Scotland next year, will put Aberdeen on the global map while bringing millions into our economy.
We are proud of Aberdeen Inspired’s role in bringing the Tall Ships back to the city after almost 30 years and will work alongside the Port of Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council to make The Tall Ships Races an unforgettable success.
Are there challenges ahead in 2025? Of course.
But there are also limitless opportunities if we are willing to find it, embrace it and make the most of them.
Aberdeen Inspired will work with other stakeholders, partners, organisations and ordinary people to make the Granite City the best it can – and should – be in any way we can, large or small.
We deliver for Aberdeen – and if everyone who has a vision and love for the city works together, we can all deliver even more.
Have a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Yule love our stunning video of Christmas in Aberdeen
The sparkling magic of Christmas in Aberdeen has been captured in a beautiful new video from Aberdeen Inspired.
The festive season in the Granite City has never looked more captivating – from the beautifully decorated shops to the thrill of the Aberdeen Christmas Village, the enchanting atmosphere Curated In The Quad to the exuberant joy of His Majesty’s panto.
Find out more here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Inspired and Fierce join forces for new Aberdeen Beer Festival
Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to join forces with Fierce Beer to help make the new Aberdeen Beer Festival the toast of the Granite City.
The Business Improvement District will be a supporting partner with the city-based brewery, which is hosting the inaugural fest at the Music Hall on Saturday, April 12, next year.
It will feature Fierce plus 13 guest breweries showcasing their finest brews, along with some surprise offerings from outside the UK.
Read more about it here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Gift Card launches trailblazing self-service kiosk in Union Square
The trailblazing Aberdeen Gift Card is now available from a state-of-the-art self-service kiosk in Union Square – the only one of its kind in Scotland.
The new vending machine will bolster the gift card scheme – brought to the city by Aberdeen Inspired – in its aim to boost “bricks and mortar” businesses while driving up footfall in the city centre.
The move will heighten the impact and reputation of the Aberdeen Gift Card, named as the UK’s most successful gift card having injected more than £3 million into the local economy since it began in 2020.
Read more about it here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Festive revellers praise festive free weekend night buses for getting them home
Revellers have praised Aberdeen’s free weekend night buses for getting them home safely and reliably after a festive night out.
Several users have messaged Aberdeen Inspired – who collaborated with Aberdeen City Council and First Bus on the return of the night – to express their appreciation for the service which runs to 10 key destinations across the city and Aberdeenshire.
And the night buses have also found favour with P&J readers in a poll conducted by the news organisation. You can read the story here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Performing Arts
Aberdeen Letters get giant magical makeover – plus the chance to win a family ticket to next year’s HMT panto
The iconic Aberdeen letters in Union Terrace Gardens now look even more magical after a giant panto makeover inspired by Jack And The Beanstalk at His Majesty’s Theatre.
The festive look was launched last week when some of the ensemble cast from the Christmas treat gathered at the eye-catching design, which will be in place during the run of the pantomime until Sunday January 5.
And as a special Christmas treat, Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen Performing Arts are offering the chance to win a family ticket for the opening night of next year’s spectacular panto at His Majesty’s Theatre, Cinderella.
Read more about it here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Performing Arts, Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen Arts Centre & Attic Theatre
Our reviews of the Granite City’s finest pantos and Christmas shows
Team Aberdeen Inspired have been busy catching all the city’s Christmas shows and pantomimes – oh yes, they have.
We’ve been flat out watching these festive treats then sharing our thoughts online.
Check out our reviews of:
Jack And The Beanstalk at His Majesty’s Theatre
Dick Whittington at Aberdeen Arts Centre
Image Credits - Codonas Aberdeen
Festive Fun Day spreads magic for all at Aberdeen Christmas Village
Aberdeen Christmas Village has worked festive magic to ensure as many people as possible share the joy of the season by holding a community Festive Fun Day.
Hundreds of people from a range of north-east charities and schools enjoyed all the fun and excitement of the sparkling attraction on and around Broad Street on December 3.
The Festive Fun Day, supported by village organisers Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council and Codona’s, offered a welcoming and festive atmosphere to groups and individuals who might otherwise find it difficult to access the village.
Read more about it here.
Image Credits - Tall Ships Races Aberdeen
Save the date for webinar on the opportunities the Tall Ships Races will bring for businesses
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 arrives on 19 – 22 July 2025 and marks the festival’s return to the city after nearly 30 years.
The event expects to attract 400,000 visits, which presents an exciting opportunity for tourism businesses across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Wondering what Tall Ships 2025 is all about, who it will attract and how it can benefit your tourism business? Join our free webinar on Tuesday 18 February 2025, from 10am – 11.30am, to learn more about the celebrations for Tall Ships 2025 and hear how your business can get involved.
You can find details here.
Image Credits - Codonas Aberdeen
Meet The Stallholders at Curated In The Quad
The finest creatives and producers in the north-east have been flocking to the Curated In The Quad festive market at the heart of Aberdeen Christmas Village.
We have been catching up with stallholders to find out more about what they offer, why the love the market and their excitement at helping to raise money for local charity, Charlie House.
Check out chats with: