WELCOME TO YOUR LATEST IN TOUCH NEWSLETTER
Some decisions are, if you’ll pardon the phrase, “no brainers” - like Team Aberdeen Inspired’s choice to bring back Shop Aberdeen.
To be honest that was a call we made even before the first special weekend to boost bricks and mortar traders was over in October last year.
Such was the overwhelming support for the inaugural Shop Aberdeen and the immediate positive feedback - even as it was running - we knew it had to become part of the calendar of events Aberdeen Inspired are proud to offer the Granite City.
Many of the 50 retailers who took part were messaging us that weekend - without being asked - to tell us it had boosted spend by bringing new customers through their door.
Footfall figures for that weekend backed up their enthusiasm by showing a lift in people in the city centre – again, something that will translate into increased spending.
Even as we were wrapping up the first Shop Aberdeen, businesses were asking if we could do it again.
The phrase “back by popular demand” is a well-worn cliche, but in this case it’s true.
Shop Aberdeen is coming back because retailers want it and we are confident shoppers will want it too – especially as it comes with exclusive offers, discounts and even free gifts.
We announced last week that Shop Aberdeen would return from Thursday, April 24, to Sunday, April 27.
But even before we went public with the dates, retailers had been signing up and telling us they were getting ready for round two.
Let’s not forget the success of Shop Aberdeen is down to one thing – Aberdeen has great shops. And they are there all year round.
From independent boutiques to High Street names, the retail offering in Aberdeen is something that you can – and should – enjoy in person.
Nothing beats the experience of popping through the door to pick up and see the things you want to buy and possibly find things you didn’t even realise you wanted on the way.
Shop Aberdeen’s aim is to boost our retail sector as it traverses tough times by encouraging people to rediscover the joy of shopping in person – and keep coming back over and over again.
That’s a habit that people can start any time.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson,
Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Shop Aberdeen is back by popular demand to boost traders and bring people into the city centre
Shop Aberdeen is set to make a welcome return this spring – and now city retailers are being invited to join the special event aimed at boosting “bricks and mortar” traders.
The weekend event, running for four days from Thursday,April 24, to Sunday April 27, will once again see shops offering unique offers and discounts and even special events to draw customers in.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of AberdeenInspired, said there was hesitation bringing Shop Aberdeen back after success of the first one in October.
You can read all about it here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen has its name in lights thanks to Spectra
Aberdeen has burst into lights with the arrival of Spectra – and we don’t just mean the iconic Aberdeen letters now in pride of place on Broad Street for Scotland’s Festival of Light.
That said, the eye-catching Hollywood-style sign is bound to grab a lot of attention with the glorious backdrop of the lit-up Marischal College, sitting alongside other installations including the Futures light and mirrors tunnel, and the giant End Over End colourful slinky.
Aberdeen Inspired partnered with Aberdeen City Council for Spectra and the letters temporary move to Broad Street where they will have a special festival display.
You can read all about it here.
City centre businesses to bring their own dazzling flair to Spectra – and the chance to win four £100 Aberdeen Gift Cards
City centre shop and business windows are set to become dazzling showcases for Spectra – and offer fans of Scotland’s Festival Of Light the chance to win a £100 Aberdeen Gift Card every day of the event.
Aberdeen Inspired is providing 35 businesses with 50 LED illuminated balloons each to create their own “artwork” to complement the eye-catching installations of Spectra, running now until Sunday, February 9.
As a bonus, each balloon-dressed venue will also have a few mystery envelopes on display – but only one will contain a £100 Aberdeen Gift Card for a lucky winner to find each day Spectra is running.
Read more here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Foodie fans rush to tuck into tasty post as an ambassador for Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks – could it be you?
The hunt is on for a new social media food star to joinAberdeen Restaurant Weeks’ ambassador team – and it has sparked a rush from people wanting a seat at the table with more than 450 applications already.
“Our original social media post with a callout for a new ambassador had 17,000 views in just a few days. This shows the huge appetite for the Foodie Fortnight,” said Shona Byrne, project manager with Aberdeen Inspired who stage Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks.
“If you love taking pictures or videos of your food and promoting and supporting local restaurants then you might just be the perfect person for the job.” Could it be you?
Read more here.
Image Credits - Tall Ships Races Aberdeen
Call goes out to local traders and charities to be part of vibrant market at the heart of Tall Ships spectacular
Local traders and charities are invited to be part of a huge outdoor market on Port of Aberdeen quayside that will be at the vibrant heart of the spectacular Tall Ships Races extravaganza this July.
Curated on the Quayside will run for four days from Saturday 19 July - Tuesday 22 July, and is being organised by the Council and Aberdeen Inspired, supported by north-east children’s charity Charlie House. Applications to become a stallholder are now open.
The colourful market will feature traders and charities across 60 stalls in prime position along Regent Quay, Upper Dock and Blaikie's Quay. The market will be there for the duration of the world-class maritime festival, which is expected to attract around 50 ships and some 400,000 visits.
Find out more here.
Image Credits - Port of Aberdeen
Record-breaking cruise ship season at Port of Aberdeen is welcomed by Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Inspired has welcomed Port of Aberdeen’s announcement this will be a record-breaking year of cruise ship visits – with a near 30% surge in calls.
The port is set to host 63 cruise calls during the 2025 season, running from April to September, bringing up to 40,000 guests to the city and shire, in a year when the port will also welcome the prestigious Tall Ships Races this July.
Port of Aberdeen announced that two major cruise lines – Viking and Fred. Olsen – have added the Granite City as a new port of call for 2025, highlighting Aberdeen's rising status as a must-visit destination for travellers. You can read more here.
Image Credits - Aberdeen Performing Arts
Review: & Juliet is a joyous, genuine West End theatrical experience right here at His Majesty’s
Genius is the only word to describe William Shakespeare... and the same goes for & Juliet.
This is an oh-so-clever musical of pure exhilarating joy that makes you laugh out loud when it isn’t tugging at your heartstrings, with a romp through some of the biggest pop anthems from legendary songwriter and producer Max Martin, who gave Britney Spears, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry and Backstreet Boys some of their megahits.
In short, & Juliet is a joyous, genuine West End theatrical experience right here in Aberdeen – one that rightly won three Olivier awards. Read our review here.
Image Credits - Clarke Joss Photography // Nuart Aberdeen
Share the love of Nuart ... Revisited
HERA of herakut’s wonderful Nuart Aberdeen masterpiece on Union Point might not have made it to the title of the UK’s Greatest Mural of 2024 – but we love it anyway.
So much so, here’s a reminder of what the hugely talented artist told us when she was working on “Abby” during last year’s brilliant street art festival that transforms the Granite City.
And Hera’s isn’t the only fantastic artwork in the legacy left by Nuart Aberdeen over the years.
In the next few weeks, we will be featuring Nuart artists talking about their work and also hearing from wall owners on what being the custodian of an iconic mural means to them and the people who see it.
Look out for these Nuart Revisited clips on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Watch the video here.