A total of 18 new traders and landlords have been allocated grant funding from the Union Street Empty Shops Grant, two years since its launch.
Almost £600,000 of match funding has been allocated, which will leverage over £2 million of private investment in the street and bring back into use almost 9,000 square metres of previously vacant floorspace.
Aberdeen City Council Finance and Resources Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “I am pleased to see new businesses open on Union Street which are helping to create a vibrant city centre.
“The Union Street Empty Shops Grant, now in its second year of running, is another example of the work Aberdeen City Council is doing to ensure Aberdeen continues to be a place people want to live, work, raise a family or do business.”
Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “The investment in Union Street and the surrounding area through this scheme, alongside the City Centre and Beach Masterplan projects, ensures that Aberdeen remains an attractive place to live, work and study.”
Applicants to the Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme have to demonstrate accessibility and energy performance improvements being made to the units through project works.
The creation of job employment opportunities and alignment with city regeneration goals is also a requirement. New openings supported by the grant scheme are on track to create over 150 part-time and full-time opportunities on the street.
Recent businesses benefiting from grant support include:
Glenhouse Aberdeen – 201 Union Street
- Restoration of the historic ‘Canada House’ building, dating from the 1800s, a former Bank of Scotland unit which had lain empty for over 2 years
- Bar and fine dining restaurant, with private dining rooms, and whisky tasting experiences
- Local landlord and tenant with hospitality experience on the local scene have worked together to bring the unit back into use, in a prime spot opposite the Music Hall
Jungle Berry – 409 Union Street
- A new franchise to Scotland, offering healthy, super food options based on the Acai berry
- Takeaway with smoothies, bowls, paninis, hot and cold drinks – grant funding is supporting the fit-out of the unit to include a food prep area and service area
Among those units expected to open soon with grant support is a noodle ‘library’ with a huge variety of customisable noodles and toppings; a golf simulator and coaching centre; and a coffee and wellbeing offering.
In Case You Missed it:
A previous recipient of the grant, Thistle Tavern, has recently shared its success since expanding to a commercial premise on Union Street and taking over £1 million in the first year.
Businesses are encouraged to take advantage of the Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme. Further information and how to apply is available online.
