Traders again Union Street marketing campaign – however enterprise leaders say it’s not sufficient

Union Street merchants – together with McDonald’s, Jamieson and Carry and Aberdeen Vinyl Records – are becoming a member of forces to ship an “open for enterprise” message throughout main roadworks.

The central stretch between Market Street and Bridge Street was closed off three weeks in the past as work to remodel the Granite Mile begins.

Council leaders mentioned this is able to be the “greatest redevelopment” of the town centre in 200 years, with tens of millions ploughed into the revamp.

The avenue will probably be resurfaced, whereas pavements will probably be widened to create a “plaza entrance” for the brand new foods and drinks market, which is now additionally below development.

A segregated bike lane will even be created alongside the total size of the Granite Mile.

However, there have been fears that the months-long disruption might delay clients amid already dwindling numbers.

Just two weeks after the Union Street closure, damning figures revealed footfall had dropped by a minimum of half 1,000,000 for the reason that introduction of controversial bus gates.

Traders have banded collectively to ship a transparent message they’re nonetheless “effectively and actually” open whereas the regeneration mission is below manner…

However, native enterprise leaders have raised issues that the advertising and marketing marketing campaign will not be sufficient.

‘Union Street outlets are distinctive – come and go to us’

McDonald’s, Jamieson and Carry and the road’s Cancer Research UK retailer are simply a number of the companies backing the council’s marketing campaign.

Gift Wrap proprietor Angie Smith will probably be hoping that vacationers are nonetheless inspired to pop in over the summer season months.

She mentioned: “It’s essential that folks know the town centre and Union Street is open for enterprise, and that everyone is welcome.”

Bob Smith, who used to run Aberdeen Vinyl Records within the now-demolished Aberdeen Market earlier than transferring to Union Street, is one other supporter.

He mentioned: “Shops have and are bringing in a number of inventory which is exclusive to the town, so there are many causes to return to Union Street.”

Trinity Centre supervisor, Kenny Bruce, added: “There is one thing for everyone in central Union Street, and companies are right here and able to welcome individuals to the realm.”

Calls for higher advertising and marketing plan amid decline in footfall

However, leaders of Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce assume extra must be accomplished to mitigate the works’ affect on footfall.

In a letter seen by The P&J, they accuse council co-leaders Christian Allard and Ian Yuill of failing to correctly talk the modifications occurring within the metropolis centre.

And they argue that this has resulted in companies “struggling” by the hands of the current interventions – together with the closure of Union Street, bus gates and the upcoming LEZ.

Russell Borthwick and Adrian Watson, chief executives for the Chamber and Aberdeen Inspired respectively, have now referred to as for a clearer plan of motion and timeline.

While the leaders burdened they’re “totally supportive” of the tasks, they mentioned pressing measures must be taken to reverse the “alarming” decline in footfall.

‘A press launch and some social media graphics merely won’t lower it’

They wrote: “We want to know what the advertising and marketing plan is, in addition to the messaging, how it is going to be communicated, for a way lengthy, and the way the success of it is going to be measured.

“To be clear, our shared view is {that a} press launch and some social media graphics merely won’t lower it – and we can not afford to get this incorrect.

“On behalf of the native enterprise group, we need to work with you to reverse this decline and would welcome the prospect to sit down down collectively to debate a manner ahead.”

Aberdeen Labour chief M. Tauqeer Malik mentioned the current figures are “extraordinarily worrying” and as soon as once more referred to as for Union Street to be pedestrianised.

He added: “The SNP administration must be pushing ahead with full pedestrianisation of central Union Street, somewhat than tinkering across the edges.”

Read extra in regards to the multi-million-pound revamp of Union Street: