Two Aberdeen city centre landmarks are to be given a clean-up ahead of the first phase of a regeneration programme for Union Street being taken forward as part of the Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan.
The St Nicholas Kirkyard façade – known as Smith’s Screen – and the Mercat Cross in the Castlegate will be given a hand wash after foliage and weeds are first removed.
City Council deputy leader Councillor Marie Boulton, who chairs the cross-party City Centre Regeneration Board, said: “As well as a delivering a modern, dynamic city centre, the Masterplan aims to showcase our history and heritage – and these landmarks are very much part of that.”
Aberdeen City Council leader councillor Jenny Laing said: “The regeneration of Union Street will get under way in the coming months as part of the City Centre Masterplan.
“The programme of works is still being finalised but we wanted to act as quickly as possible in response to public calls to improve our city centre. We will carry out a clean-up of the Mercat Cross and a preliminary clean-up of Smith’s Screen ahead of a full renovation.”
Work on Mercat Cross is expected to take place around June 23 and on the Smith’s Screen during the weekend of June 25/26.
As part of a package of improvements for Union Street, Smith’s Screen will undergo a deep clean and repointing work. Railings and gates will be painted and detail highlighted in gold leaf. The renovation is scheduled to be completed by summer 2017.
Operation Union Street Rejuvenation is to start in September this year and is being led by Aberdeen City Council and Business Improvement District operator, Aberdeen Inspired.
Gary Craig, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “The St Nicholas Kirkyard façade and the Mercat Cross at the Castlegate are two of Aberdeen’s most well-known landmarks so we’re delighted to be playing a part in breathing new life into both as part of this clean-up.
“Although plans for the entire regeneration programme of Union Street are still being finalised, we thought it was important to start with proprietary work in advance of this commencing.
“This follows our recent creative lighting project at the colonnade within the kirkyard which has already been warmly received.”
A cherry picker will be used for the Smith’s Screen work, which will include the removal of seeds and any weed growth to protect the structure and prevent deterioration caused by foliage growth.
The Mercat Cross will require scaffolding and will be cleaned using cold running water and a soft nylon brush. No chemicals will be used because of its delicate nature.