With less than a month to go until Aberdeen Football Club’s proposals for a new stadium go before Aberdeen City Council, city hotels and bars have added their weight to the campaign to show support.
AFC is proposing to build a new community sports campus and stadium with on-site training facilities at Kingsford, near Westhill.
Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association, which represents corporate and independently operated hotels providing more than 4,000 bedrooms, has welcomed the plans, saying they would have a positive impact on other sectors such as tourism and hospitality.
Bars including Soul and The Foundry have also expressed their support for the plans, saying they do not believe a move to Kingsford would impact on the city centre bar trade.
Gary Atkinson, chairman of Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association, said: “Aberdeen Football Club plays a significant role in raising the profile of the region and contributes in no small measure to our economy. The Club has been seeking a new home for far too long and it is quite apparent that the Club and the region cannot wait any longer for these new facilities to be delivered.
“The proposed training, community and stadium facilities at Kingsford, represent a £50m private sector investment in the region at a time when we urgently need investment and economic stimulus. The plans at Kingsford would send out a strong signal that our region is open for business and confidence in our future.
“This much-needed confidence will spill over into other sectors, including hospitality and tourism - both of which are vital to the future sustainability of this area and our ability to attract incomers.”
Paul Clarkson, operations director at PB Devco, which owns Soul on Union Street, is a vociferous supporter of the #AllforAurora campaign.
He said: “I do not believe the stadium being out at Kingsford will impact on the city centre bar trade. At present we have people who frequent the bars before and after the match at Pittodrie and generally use some form of transport to get to us and then on to the match.
“For me there would be no real difference between what happens at the moment with Pittodrie and what is likely to happen at Kingsford. The journey may take slightly longer but people will still arrange to meet in the city centre before and then migrate back into it after a game.
“I am a big supporter of the move and at the same time know and understand why the Club must relocate.”
The Foundry, on Holburn Street, supports AFCCT as its nominated charity.
Assistant manager Kieren Joseph said: “I think the stadium is a must for Aberdeen Football Club. The players have always created great history for the Club and it's the fans turn to do the same, and get behind these fantastic plans. There's no way we as a Club and a city can afford to turn this down.
“As a manager of a local pub we would look to work with the bus companies to do pub and go - so a pint in the Foundry and then a bus to the match, that’s our aim.
“I have seen first-hand the struggles of Pittodrie and how it restricts both the first team and AFCCT. They will do wonders if they get their own facility. The Foundry Bar is 100% All for Aurora.”
The proposals are expected to be considered by Aberdeen City Council in October.