A group set up to regenerate, repopulate, and reinvigorate Union Street has been awarded a grant of £400,000.
Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee yesterday (8 May 2025) approved the money to Our Union Street which is on top of £100,000 over a three year period agreed at the Council Budget on 1 March 2023.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “We look forward to seeing what work Our Union Street will do with the £400,000 grant money.
“The Council is investing in Union Street and the surrounding area through grants to Our Union Street along with schemes such as the Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme and the City Centre and Beach Masterplan projects to ensure that it remains an attractive place to live, work, and visit.”
Our Union Street was established in 2022 is funded through private and public sector partnerships. The Scottish Government has confirmed a funding contribution of £400,000 to Aberdeen City Council to support city centre regeneration activity currently being undertaken by Our Union Street.
Our Union Street’s Bob Keillor said: “We have a range of projects that will help to inject new energy into the city centre and, in some cases, could be transferrable to other communities too.
“The use of technology and artificial intelligence will be part of this – for example, how do we get the ten Scottish monarchs portrayed on the Mercat Cross monument to come to life and tell their stories?
“We are grateful to Aberdeen City Council for helping us to secure this funding. The Scottish Government recognised the importance of Our Union Street and the work we do - that’s why they are providing this support.”
The £400,000 grant is subject to submission and approval of a delivery plan which supports the Union Street Action Plan, which was set up in 2022 to support reconfiguring empty shops on Union Street, helping to reinvigorate and reimagine the area.