ABERDEEN Science Centre has appointed local catering firm Grub Fresh Food to run the new café in the revamped centre, which is due to open this autumn.
The new cafe will be Grub’s fifth venue in Aberdeen, joining its existing cafés at Aberdeen Energy Park in Bridge of Don, Old Aberdeen and Schoolhill in the city centre.
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The partnership will also create eight new jobs.
Aberdeen Science Centre is currently undergoing a £6million refurbishment at the Tramsheds on Constitution Street.
GruB was established 10 years ago by University of Aberdeen graduate Stuart Ross, who wanted to provide fresh, wholesome food at an affordable price.
In keeping with the rest of Aberdeen Science Centre, the café will boast a science theme, with plans for a giant mural depicting the Scottish inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, which is being created by local artist and Gray’s School of Art graduate Kathryn Johnston.
Bryan Snelling, chief executive of Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Stuart and his team at Grub, which has built up a fantastic reputation over the last 10 years and also specialises in event catering, which allows us to extend our offering to our corporate hire guests.”
Stuart Ross of Grub added: “We’re delighted to have been commissioned to run the café and catering for Aberdeen Science Centre and are looking forward to opening this autumn.
“The new venue is our fifth premises in Aberdeen and it’s an exciting time to be part of the relaunch of the science centre following its major development, which allows us to shape the café to fit the style and feel of the whole venue.”
The revitalised centre will include more than 60 new interactive exhibits, including The OPITO Theatre of Energy.
The transformation includes an extension and creation of a new mezzanine floor – almost doubling the exhibition space – and exposing the roof structure of allow natural light to flood into the building, creating a bright, airy, modern interior.
Aberdeen Science Centre’s £4.7million redevelopment was made possible by generous support and funding from the Inspiring Science Fund – a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome – with additional funding provided by Opportunity North East (ONE) and Aberdeen City Council.
The project has secured a further £1.5million from funders and sponsors including OPITO, Shell, Equinor, bp, The Robertson Trust, TAQA and CNOOC to deliver quality exhibits and programmes to enhance the overall visitor experience at the venue. Fundraising is ongoing for future programmes and activities to engage visitors in science.
