ABERDEEN-headquartered hospitality venues and services company Celera Support Services is today announced as the operator for the Rosemount Pavilion at Union Terrace Gardens.
John Wigglesworth, Celera director, is also owner and custodian of popular Belmont Street second hand bookshop and eatery Books and Beans.
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Celera Support Services is launching the new coffee house and bar at the Pavilion and terrace to continue its aim of contributing to growing a thriving daytime café culture in the city centre.
The new coffee house and bar will be called Common Sense and is inspired by the 18th century Scottish School of Common Sense, founded by Aberdeen-born enlightenment philosopher, Thomas Reid. It is situated on the corner of Union Terrace and Rosemount Viaduct near His Majesty’s Theatre and is due to open in August 2022.
Aberdeen City Council city growth and resources convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “It is great that a local, independent operator is to open at one of the new pavilions at Union Terrace Gardens and it will be a fantastic addition to our city centre.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “Celera already has significant experience in running a popular city centre venue. I’m sure the new coffee house and bar will be a real boost to the Union Terrace Gardens area.”
John Wigglesworth, Director of Celera Support Services, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to realise our vision within the Rosemount Pavilion, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the revitalisation of Aberdeen city centre.”
“Space to build relationships and consensus is what we need to strengthen our city centre and brighten the day for all those living, working, studying and visiting Aberdeen.”
“We are playing our part in delivering this in a number of ways, not least with the much-anticipated launch of Common Sense Coffee House and Bar. With plenty of books, music, performance, and chat – it’s good for the community, it’s good for us all, it’s just Common Sense.”
Books and Beans will be continuing its much-loved service on Belmont Street, which is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere, seasonal food, and over 10,000 second-hand books lining the walls.
Mr Wigglesworth is also one of the founders and chair of the Bonnymuir Green Community Trust, which, in 2018, became the North East’s first community-led Urban Right to Buy project and is now a thriving and popular community owned garden, arts space and café.
The Rosemount Pavilion is one of three similar buildings looking over Union Terrace Gardens, which is due to reopen in the summer after a £28million refurbishment including ensuring the gardens are more accessible and wheelchair-friendly, more amenities such as a new play area for children, toilets, and cafes, and restoring and refurbishing the historic arches and Victorian toilets.
