Welcome to your latest In Touch newsletter
There are many people who look at the heart of the Granite City just now and can see only a tangle of roadworks and building projects spread across the landscape.
But we shouldn’t see Aberdeen as some endless construction site, but rather a jigsaw puzzle of a city centre in transition.
There are many pieces in play right now - the revamp of Union Street Central, the building of Flint market, the work on the Castlegate, the creation of the Beach Playpark.
Certainly, I had the opportunity of having a preview of the Beach Playpark this week and I can say wholeheartedly it is going to be a wonderful addition to the city and a major draw, bringing people in from across the city, the north-east and further afield.
But there are other key parts to this jigsaw already in place – the wonderful renovation of Aberdeen Art Gallery, the bold reimagining of Union Terrace Gardens, the stunning update of the Music Hall, the creation of the Hall of Heroes that is Provost Skene’s House, and the arrival of Marischal Square on a refreshed Broad Street.
These are all the pieces that make up the overarching 20-year masterplan for our city centre, a project led by Aberdeen City Council and supported by stakeholders and partners including Aberdeen Inspired.
As all these pieces come together, we can see emerge the full, glorious picture being created – a re-energised, re-invigorated city centre ready to push forward in the coming years.
A big, beating, vibrant heart of Aberdeen to bring new pride, renewed confidence, more investment and fresh prosperity.
Certainly, that was the message that emerged from the Aberdeen Inspired business network meeting held earlier this week at a packed event with more than 150 levy-payers, businesses, stakeholders and council officials and leaders.
Both Sandy Beattie, masterplan manager for Aberdeen City Council, and Allan Henderson, CEO of The McGinty Group who is spearheading the new Flint market, spoke of the importance of the masterplan in forging a new future for the city centre.
They were eloquent in painting that bigger picture of all these elements coming together, of building a better city and bringing limitless opportunities.
And that message was greeted with something that was both refreshing and welcome – a tangible sense of optimism that all the hard work, the disruption and inconvenience of the past few years will be more than worth it.
The atmosphere among gathered levy-payers, stakeholders and partners was upbeat, a sense that Aberdeen really is on the cusp of a remarkable transformation.
And it was also clear that the Team Aberdeen ethos is becoming a reality – along with the need to talk up our city.
We are entering a new chapter in the story of Aberdeen. Together, let’s shout about all the brilliant things it can offer everyone who lives, works, plays and visits here.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson,
Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Packed house as Aberdeen Inspired network meeting gets the inside updates on exciting city centre developments
More than 150 people packed a sold-out meeting organised by Aberdeen Inspired this week to hear updates on the new Flint market, the arrival of the World Rally Championships in the Granite City, plus a progress report on the Union Street works.
The Business Improvement District Networking Meeting, was attended by levy-payers, interested parties, stakeholders and both officials and leaders from Aberdeen City Council.
Highlights included Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, outlining the BID’s strategic objectives for the next five years after its renewed mandate in the recent renewal ballot.
Read the BID Meeting Highlights
Image credits - Codona's
Aberdeen's countdown begins to glittering Christmas season in sparkling Granite City
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as Aberdeen prepares for a packed programme of festive events as popular celebrations return next month.
Residents and visitors will be able to join in the Yuletide fun with the return of popular events including the Christmas Parade, Aberdeen Christmas Village, Curated In The Square, and Carol Concerts.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: ““These events will bring thousands of people into the city centre to enjoy Aberdeen’s Christmas spirit, while supporting local businesses – and that is a real gift this festive season.”
Discover Christmas in Aberdeen
Image credits - Aberdeen City Council, Norman Adams
Aberdeen awarded prestigious Purple Flag status for historic 13th year in a row
Aberdeen has been awarded prestigious Purple Flag status for an unprecedented 13th year to mark the city’s excellence in managing the evening and nighttime economy.
Aberdeen Inspired, the city centre Business Improvement District, welcome the interim award, which will be followed by the full award of Purple Flag status next year.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Retaining the prestigious Purple Flag award for an unprecedented 13th year speaks volumes about our vibrant, welcoming and safe city centre.
Celebrate Aberdeen's Purple Flag Success
Image credits - RedServ Group
Standing ovation for restoration of iconic Capitol building on Union Street
Fantastic to see Union Street’s iconic Capitol building back to its glorious, gleaming white façade after its recent restoration was completed.
Congratulations to RedServ Group for their skilled and loving work to make this beloved building look the best it can be.
Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to have offered help and support to RedServ on this and other projects on the Granite Mile and wider city centre.
And a hearty thanks to Ryden for commissioning the work, which has helped bring the sparkle back to not only The Capitol, but to Union Street itself.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “This project is both a benchmark for what can be achieved on the Granite Mile and a signpost to encourage others to invest in our city centre.
“No doubt the many Aberdonians who have treasured memories of unforgettable gigs at The Capitol will want to give everyone involved a standing ovation.”
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Inspired welcomes IKEA as it throws open the doors at Union Square
Aberdeen Inspired welcomed the opening of IKEA’s brand-new Aberdeen store at Union Square earlier this month.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, was at the official opening and said: “It's such a positive experience to have IKEA in Union Square. It just adds to our already wonderful offering in the city centre. Such a boon. It's an iconic brand and we're just absolutely delighted that it's come into the heart of our city, a time where we all understand it's really needed.
“This new IKEA store will pull people in from far and wide, down to Dundee, up to Inverness, and all points between.”
Read about IKEA Aberdeen's Opening
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Nominate your favourite Granite City business for a national award
Do you have a favourite business in the Granite City? Now is your chance to nominate them for a prestigious UK-wide award – and be in with the chance of winning a £1,000 Aberdeen Gift Card for yourself.
The UK’s Favourite Local Business competition – backed by Aberdeen Inspired - aims to give shops, restaurants, salons, hotels and attractions a much-needed boost by putting them in the spotlight, while also encouraging people to support local.
The competition is staged across the nation by Miconex, who deliver local gift card programmes around the world, including the award-winning Aberdeen Gift Card, which is managed by Aberdeen Inspired.
The UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 winner will receive a £1,000 Aberdeen Gift Card, with one person who nominated them also winning a £1,000 Aberdeen Gift Card.
Nominate Your Local Favourite Business at lovelocalwin.co.uk
Image credits - Aberdeen Performing Arts, Mihaela Bodlovic
Review: Miss Jean Brodie is truly in her prime at His Majesty’s Theatre
Miss Jean Brodie is in her absolute prime – thanks to a simply astonishing performance by Gayle Rankin.
She totally inhabits one of the most iconic characters in Scottish literature, filling Muriel Spark’s compelling creation with dazzling life - all glittering charisma - but with a dark and dangerous undercurrent at her heart.
It is her tour-de-force performance that makes the National Theatre of Scotland’s stage version of The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie one of the most outstanding productions to have graced the state of His Majesty’s Theatre.
Read Scott's Miss Jean Brodie's Review.
