Aberdeen is set to join a growing cohort of cities using digital platforms to reimagine the high street, with the launch of a new app designed to connect people, places and experiences across the city centre. The “Our Aberdeen” app, developed by the Our Union Street initiative, will go live over the May Day weekend, bringing together local businesses, curated content and real-time event discovery in a single mobile platform.
The goal is clear: increase footfall while creating a more connected, data-driven city centre experience at a time when many traders say they are still feeling the impact of access changes, shifting retail habits and competition from online.
Over the past two years, Aberdeen’s city centre has found itself at the heart of debates over bus gates, driving routes and the wider attractiveness of the high street. Business groups have warned of declining footfall and nervous customers, while local operators talk about the need for clearer reasons to come into town rather than defaulting to out-of-town retail or online shopping.
Against that backdrop, the launch of a discovery app feels less like a novelty and more like a practical tool that could help rebuild confidence. By making it easier to see what is open, what is on and what is nearby, Our Aberdeen aims to turn a trip into the city centre into a more intentional, rewarding experience.
Our Union Street chairman Bob Keiller said the initiative is about simplifying how people experience the city.
“There’s so much to see and do in Aberdeen, this is about making it easier to get back into the city centre and rediscover what’s here – whether that’s somewhere new to eat, something to do, or just a different way to spend time,” he said.
City-as-a-platform in practice
The launch reflects a wider shift towards “city-as-a-platform” models seen in major urban centres, where apps act as a digital layer over physical spaces. Cities including London, Amsterdam and Singapore have invested heavily in similar approaches, integrating local commerce, culture and mobility into unified digital experiences that encourage exploration and spending.
In Aberdeen’s case, the emphasis is on accessibility and aggregation rather than building yet another standalone channel. The app combines recommendations from local creators with themed trails spanning food, history and culture, alongside a live feed of events across the city. A food trail curated by local blogger Julia Bryce is among the featured experiences, highlighting the role of local voices in shaping discovery and championing independent venues.
For city centre businesses, particularly smaller independents, the platform offers a free, centralised channel to promote offers and events – addressing a longstanding challenge where information is often fragmented across multiple platforms and social feeds. For users, it introduces gamified incentives and rewards designed to encourage repeat visits, longer dwell times and exploration of streets beyond the traditional hotspots.
Supporting trade, not replacing policy
The dual-sided approach – serving both consumers and businesses – mirrors strategies seen in larger cities, where digital engagement is increasingly tied to economic regeneration. By lowering the barrier to discovery and participation, such platforms aim to support urban centres facing changing retail habits and post-pandemic footfall challenges.
No single app will decide the future of Aberdeen’s city centre, and it will not settle every argument about transport schemes or access. But with traders calling for more reasons for customers to come into town and stay longer, tools that make the city easier to navigate and enjoy are likely to be welcomed.
As Keiller puts it, the focus is on helping people reconnect with what is already there.
“There’s a real appetite to support local businesses,” he said. “If we can make it easier to find those places, take advantage of offers and discover something new every time you visit, then that has to be good news for the city centre.”
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The app will launch as part of the Aberdeen Unlocked programme, with a public activation at Union Square on 2 May. Users will be able to access promotions, take part in competitions and explore the platform’s features in real time.
If uptake is strong, the hope is that Our Aberdeen can become part of the everyday toolkit for residents, workers and visitors – sitting alongside transport changes and physical regeneration projects as one more step towards a busier, more confident city centre.
