Welcome to your latest In Touch newsletter
Welcome to the first IN Touch of the New Year and what a way to start 2026 with the Aberdeen Gift Card being named the best-selling in the UK for the third year in a row.
That is an unprecedented achievement for a local gift card and something which Aberdeen Inspired is very proud of.
We are also delighted that in the past year the Aberdeen Gift Card has injected £800,000 into the local economy – with every penny spent on bricks and mortar businesses in the city centre.
That is raison d’etre of the gift card – to put money into the tills of city restaurants, bars, shops, beauty salons, hairdressers, theatres and all the rest of the more than 300 businesses signed up to the scheme.
When we first launched the Aberdeen Gift Card in 2020, we were sure it would achieve that goal. What has surprised – and delighted us – is just how spectacular a success it has been.
The gift card has now generated £4.7 million in sales since it began. Factor in people spending an average of 65% more than the face value of their card and that figure soars to £7.75 million.
Let me say that again – Aberdeen Gift Card has put almost £8 million into the local economy.
Little wonder so many businesses are keen participants in the venture. A scroll through the list of venues taking part is a Who’s Who of the great and the good in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors of Aberdeen, from independents to High Street giants.
In fact, it’s almost easier to list who doesn’t accept the Aberdeen Gift Card than who does.
I can’t thank enough every business who has signed up to the gift card – with more coming on every month.
And I can’t thank enough everyone who chooses to buy an Aberdeen Gift Card, be it individuals recognising it as the perfect gift for friends and loved ones, or businesses who see it as an ideal way to retain and reward staff.
This year, Aberdeen Inspired will continue its relentless drive to make the Aberdeen Gift Card a national leader – and a major boost for our bricks and mortar businesses.
It really is the gift that keeps on giving for everyone.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson,
Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Gift Card is best-selling in the UK for an ‘unprecedented’ third year
Aberdeen Gift Card has been named the most successful in the UK for an unprecedented third year in a row after injecting almost £800,000 into local “bricks and mortar” businesses.
The stunning success of the gift card scheme means it has now generated some £4.7 million in sales since it was introduced in 2020 by Aberdeen Inspired.
With people spending an average of 65% more than the face value of their card, that figure is closer to £7.75 million.
Miconex, which operates some almost 100 Town & City Gift Card and Scotland Loves Local Gift Card initiatives, reported that Aberdeen’s was the top-selling in the UK, outstripping the likes of London, Glasgow and Cardiff by a considerable margin.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
New businesses join the Aberdeen Gift Card success story
More and more businesses are signing up to the Aberdeen Gift Card initiative, recognising it as a fantastic way to boost business and encourage people to support local.
So it’s a warm welcome to:
- Linton & Mac Hair Salaon on the Netherkirkgate
- The Entertainer, the great toy store now at Union Square
- Crew Clothing Company, the stylish addition to Union Square
- Fàilte, offering a curated selection of high-quality locally produced food, drink and gifts celebrating the best of Scottish.
Learn more about the Aberdeen Gift Card initiative and how Aberdeen businesses can sign up to participate.
Image credits - Brian Tallman
‘World’s first’ for acclaimed Nuart Aberdeen as it reveals text and poetry theme
Nuart Aberdeen has announced it will return with a world’s first for a street art festival by exploring text and poetry-based art on the theme of “Poetry Is In The Streets”.
Globally-renowned street artists will have the cityscape as a blank canvas for this innovative and visionary take on Nuart, running from Thursday, April 23, to Sunday, April 26, staged by Aberdeen Inspired in partnership with Aberdeen City Council.
Aberdeen Inspired is also inviting companies and organisations to sponsor the acclaimed event, which has been named as one of the top six street art festivals in the world.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Inspired and Fierce Beer partner for Aberdeen Beer Festival
After the runaway success of the first Aberdeen Beer Festival, Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to join forces with Fierce Beer to serve up its second outing this April.
Now named Northern Lights: Aberdeen Beer Festival, the one-day event at the iconic Music Hall on April 11 will be bigger and better, organisers promise.
Featuring 12 world-class breweries, from established favourites like Northern Monk to darlings of the craft beer scene like Beak Brewery, the festival has also increased capacity from 1,300 to 1,600.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Save the date for the return of Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks
Have your tastebuds at the ready for the return of the much-loved celebration of the Granite City’s finest cuisine that is Aberdeen Restaurant Weeks.
A fantastic selection of restaurants, bars and cafes are answering Aberdeen Inspired’s call to be of this popular event, which will run from February 23 to March 8.
And we expect many more to join the top flight roster by the time the deadline to sign up closes on January 23.
Image credits - VisitAberdeenshire
Promote your business with VisitAberdeenshire’s new business community website
VisitAberdeenshire is inviting businesses to submit their business listing and offers on visitabdn.com for FREE – a great way to reach both locals and visitors planning a trip to the North-east.
The recently updated VisitAberdeenshire website offers enhanced visibility, with business listings appearing dynamically across relevant content. Listings and offers may also be included in VisitAberdeenshire email campaigns sent to over 128,000 subscribers and shared across their social channels, reaching more than 108,000 people.
To be featured on visitabdn.com, please email the Tourism Development team at submissions@visitabdn.com. The team will create your account and provide login details so you can add descriptions, contact information, opening hours, images, and links. All submissions are subject to approval and typically go live within 48 hours.
VisitAberdeenshire has also rebranded its Industry website as Business Community, reflecting the region’s network of tourism, hospitality, culture, and visitor-facing organisations, and offering business support, insights, and partnership opportunities.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Last call for grants to ‘Spectrafy’ your business
Aberdeen City Council is bringing back its ‘Spectrafy Your Business’ grants to support local businesses to engage and partake in Spectra, Scotland’s Festival of Light, from 5-8 February 5-8.
Spectra is a catalyst for attracting new visitors and increasing footfall in Aberdeen’s city centre and the council is offering discretionary funding to enable businesses to participate and supplement this unique event.
One-off £500 grant awards are available, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Funding is limited so awards will be discretionary, based on planned activity meeting the eligibility criteria below, and timeliness of applying.
The council would like businesses come up with ideas to make their business a welcoming destination for Spectra visitors before or after they've attended the event - for example, a meeting place for food and/or drinks for people looking to extend their time in the city centre and enjoy what Spectra has to offer.
Image credits - Codonas
City businesses invited to take part in Aberdeen Christmas Village survey
City business in and around the Aberdeen Christmas Village area are being asked to share their experience of this year’s event.
The feedback will help ensure that the needs of city businesses are considered in the planning for next year.
This survey is commissioned by Conda’s and partners and conducted by the Research Chamber at the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce. At the end of the survey, you’ll be asked to nominate a charity of your choice to be entered into a random draw for a £50 donation. All survey responses are confidential.