THE owners of two city centre hair salons and barber shops have added their voices to Aberdeen Inspired’ s campaign in support of pedestrianising the central part of Union Street.
Dean Walker and Duncan Wiseman, who own James Dun’s House on Schoolhill and Mr Dun barbershop on Belmont Street, said pedestrianisation would support the economic recovery of the city centre.
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They are also hugely supportive of Aberdeen City Council’s £1.5million investment in the Belmont Quarter area, to create a new permanent café culture in the area.
Aberdeen Inspired, the city centre Business Improvement District (BID) is encouraging residents to make their positive views on pedestrianisation known to councillors, saying it is the key to unlocking a brighter future for Aberdeen’s city centre.
Duncan and Dean said: “We are definitely in favour of Union Street remaining pedestrianised, as this will encourage more social activity in this area and help the economic recovery of our city centre.”
“The Belmont Street quarter will also be a fantastic addition to Aberdeen. It will help drive more people back to the city centre, which is much needed for local traders like ourselves. It’s exciting to see the start of the regeneration of our city centre.”
Consultation has been carried out to gather views from residents and businesses in Belmont Street and nearby streets on plans to create a new area that will help to grow city centre employment, create a metropolitan look which will develop as an attractive food and drink destination, and become a culturally distinctive neighbourhood that will enhance the conservation area.
Two options are being considered, including barrier outdoor seating with umbrellas which could be in place in late autumn, or shelter structures which could be installed next spring.
The stretch of Union Street between Bridge Street and Market Street has been closed to traffic during the pandemic and it is hoped this will become permanent to further allow the café culture locals and visitors have enjoyed during the pandemic to flourish and encourage businesses back into this section of the city’s main thoroughfare.
However, earlier this year councillors voted to reopen this part of Union Street to buses, taxis and bicycles.
The issue is expected to be debated at the full meeting of Aberdeen City Council next month.
Aberdeen Inspired polled its levy payers – eligible businesses in the BID footprint who pay an annual levy – on the issue of pedestrianisation earlier this year.
Business leaders including Stuart McPhee of Siberia on Belmont Street and founder of Aberdeen Hospitality Together, architect Richard Tinto and Adam Fairley of Specsavers on Union Street have added their support to the campaign.
Many levy payers agree that proper pedestrianisation of the 300m stretch of Union Street from Bridge Street to Market Street would pave the way for renewed investment, bring businesses back to that part of the city’s main street and encourage the café culture to grow and prosper.
As seen on artists’ impressions and computer-generated walk-through videos, supporters believe removing traffic and creating an attractive oasis will encourage people, retailers and other businesses back into the city, increasing footfall and dwell time and creating reasons to visit again and again.
Aberdeen Inspired was established to attract, sustain and boost investment in Aberdeen’s city centre for the benefit of its levy payers and all those who live, work, shop and visit there.
In addition to levy payments, which go to support city centre improvements and initiatives, the BID brings in additional funding which that for every £1 of levy collected, at least £2 is invested in the city centre.
The BID footprint covers Union Street and the surrounding streets, including Broad Street, Market Street, Bridge Street, Huntly Street and Holburn Junction.
For more information on Aberdeen Inspired, visit www.aberdeeninspired.com
