More than 120 entrepreneurs joined Our Union Street for a special event organised to help fill vacant units with vibrant new businesses.
Aspiring shop owners were urged to turn their New Year’s resolutions into reality at a packed event at the Music Hall.
More than 20,000 new UK companies are expected to be registered in January as the new year inspires a record number of people to bring business ideas to life.
The team behind efforts to regenerate the Granite Mile – where new business can access grants of up to £35,000 – sought to tap into that wave of ambition with a special start-up event last night.
Our Union Street (OUS) was set-up in March 2023 to arrest soaring vacancy rates and plummeting footfall, and has since helped cut the number of empty shops from 48 to 28.
OUS chairman Bob Keiller highlighted how favourably Aberdeen's rent and rates compare to other cities, while Jen Lawie of Aberdeen City Council, shared details of how businesses can access grant funding to support their aspirations.
Jamie Hutcheon spoke about how Business Gateway can offer support to start-ups, while Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired explained how the organisation is planning to swell Union Street footfall with its events in 2025.
Ryan Crighton, Policy Director at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, outlined how major investment will transform the Granite Mile into a high street fit for the 21st century over the next 18-months.
David White, a volunteer who has been helping connect new businesses with new premises, said: “There has never been a better time to set-up on Union Street, with the wrap-around support and funding being offered to start-ups.
“Entrepreneurial energy can breathe new life into our high street, creating bustling, attractive destinations for both locals and visitors.”
Our Union Street is a community-led, not-for-profit organisation which is seeking to restore pride and prosperity to Union Street, which sits at the heart of Aberdeen City Centre.
It has been set-up by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council and Opportunity North East, with additional support from Shell, which recently relocated to the street.
AB15 Limited – owned and run by Bob Keiller and his business partner Derrick Thomson – is also funding the organisation, and both businessmen have committed to running the campaign free of charge.