Aberdeen’s cultural landscape is poised for a significant development as local dance organisation Citymoves explores a move into the long-vacant upper floors of the former Tiger Tiger nightclub on Shiprow. The multi-storey complex, which closed its doors in 2014, has seen its lower ground level occupied by bowling alley Lane 7 since 2017, but the ground and first floors have remained dormant for over a decade.
Citymoves Dance Agency has recently secured a substantial capital grant of £35,000 from Aberdeen City Council- an investment was confirmed at a recent Aberdeen City Council budget meeting, highlighting the council’s commitment to supporting grassroots cultural initiatives.
Councillor Alex McLellan, the city’s finance convener, underscored the importance of this investment in reactivating disused urban spaces.
“We propose awarding a capital grant of £35,000 to Citymoves, to match funding they received from Creative Scotland, to convert a unit on Shiprow into a dance centre,” Mr McLellan stated at the meeting. He further emphasised the regeneration aspect, noting: “This unit in particular has been vacant for 12 years and will be brought back into use supported by this investment.”
The proposed relocation comes at a crucial time for Citymoves. The organisation, alongside other creative groups, was required to vacate its previous premises at Marischal College East approximately a year ago due to necessary major repairs on the historic University of Aberdeen-owned building.
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Councillor McLellan expressed satisfaction that Citymoves would retain a city centre presence, adding: “It’s great to see them staying in the city centre because they’ve been displaced from the back of Marischal College. This is an opportunity for them to expand as well. I look forward to seeing their plans come together.”
The available ground and first floor space at 1 Shiprow is currently being advertised by commercial property firm CBRE for a passing rent of £40,000 per annum. The complex, originally constructed in 2001, stands adjacent to the former Vue cinema, which ceased operations earlier this year in January 2026 after 21 years, marking another significant change to the Shiprow leisure landscape.
The £35,000 grant to Citymoves aligns with similar funding provisions aimed at revitalising empty retail spaces along Union Street, though the Shiprow premises sits just off this main thoroughfare.
