Opinion: Taking brave steps to create a vibrant city centre

The challenges currently facing the hospitality industry have been well documented – staff recruitment and retention, rising costs generally, with recent and projected further utility expenses being of particular concern.  However, it is important to recognise that local hospitality is by no means alone when looking for solutions to this myriad of problems. Similar head scratching is occurring across the U.K. and goes beyond hospitality.

So, without minimising the concern caused by these wider issues, perhaps this is an opportunity for Aberdeen to look inwardly and recognise what we have, in terms of both existing strong attributes and further opportunities.

It would be a mistake to consider the city’s hospitality offering in isolation. Rather, it is one vital component of the wider urban landscape.  The recent findings from Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce indicates desire from members for permanent pedestrianisation of a significant proportion of Union Street. Perhaps my own fantasy of converting the length of Union Street into a zonal creation of urban parkland, raised walkways, community areas, café terraces and upper level residential properties is fated to remain a weird little dream. However, the current proposal, linked to nearby developments including Union Terrace Gardens and the revamped indoor market area, can kick-start a major rethink of what Aberdeen City Centre means to residents, businesses – and visitors.

When walking up Union Street at the moment it is difficult to avoid flinching at the B.H.S building site, and the recent Union Street Gardens soft opening frankly couldn’t have been harder. However, rather than complaining about these eyesores and disappointments, perhaps it would be better to recognise them for what they are – short term, but essential, situations which can lead to a potentially more vibrant city centre future.

As laid out in the Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan, there is a vision to integrate the city, and its key attributes, in a more cohesive and coherent manner. There is a desire for the community and visitors alike to see the city in a new, appealing light, making it a place which encourages lingering, rather than simply a jaded thoroughfare to hurry through with head down. And any such lingering both requires and encourages hospitality in its widest sense.

The ambitious city centre masterplan is very much a longer term vision,  and is still at a very early stage. There is little doubt the plan, as with any of this nature and scope, will twist and turn as it progresses, with the final delivery perhaps looking quite different than initially envisaged. However, there is not going to be a day when suddenly the curtains open and we cut the ribbon and stare in awe at our shiny new city. Any regeneration of urban space takes place gradually and to some degree sneaks up on residents.

And this is where I feel hospitality can play an important role in gradually changing the mindset and the offering within the city by growing alongside the more fundamental, structural changes taking place. Hospitality should not wait, rather it should find its place and drive change in its own way as the city centre changes alongside it.

Any city should aim to reach its potential by being both a vibrant, accessible place to live and work, while also appealing, in its facilities and atmosphere, to visitors. This perfect scenario can obviously be difficult to reach and then sustain. The initial priority is to ensure visitors are attracted to the city – and then of course ensure a hospitable experience exceeding expectations. Recent developments and on-going improvements including P&J Live, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Greyhope Bay are gradually expanding the city’s attributes and appealing to a greater range of visitors. Gray’s School of Art’s creative unit, Look Again, is also bringing many exhibitions to its city centre project space, enhancing the creative scene across the North East. And despite the current understandable grumbling about the delayed Union Terrace Gardens project, this development right in the city centre can surely be a major draw to visitors.

And please don’t for a moment believe I am advocating for wholesale gentrification and all the socio-economic disruption such a process can result in. Aberdeen city centre does not require this, nor should it seek it. Tourists seek authenticity, but it would be a mistake to take this to only mean historical authenticity. Every city has its own authenticity, consisting of its buildings, its stories, and its people – it is a city’s past and its present. The developments within the city centre – from Union Terrace Gardens through to quirky, independent cafés – should aim to appeal to both residents and visitors alike. Such a scenario ensures tourists get the authentic city experience they desire, and those living in the city get pleasure (and spend money) in a city they feel pride in. There is simply no reason that this outcome cannot be achieved in Aberdeen.

Covid circumstances over the last couple of years saw movement towards “café culture” in areas such as Belmont Street, and even on Union Street itself. Such initiatives were to a large degree reactive rolls of the dice in revenue saving moves. Although no doubt successful to varying degrees, the circumstances which allowed them, also brought challenges. Factors such as track and trace, enhanced cleaning requirements and often quite clinical processes, ensured that customer experience was often less than enjoyable. Ultimately such outdoor hospitality offerings were often seen as a temporary “best option” rather than an exciting new direction for the city centre. The fact that many of these outdoor offerings are already a thing of the past (even the Grill “wine terrace”), does suggest that they were a short lived covid reaction only – which does seem a pity and missed opportunity. In my opinion, it is moves such as this, and reopening lower Union Street to traffic (while recognising the valid arguments against such a transformational step), which present the biggest stumbling block to Aberdeen City Centre reaching its potential – no matter how appealing areas such as Union Terrace Gardens or revamped indoor market end up being.

I have heard views that it would be difficult to develop a more expansive food and drink “scene” in the city centre, as we lack a defined zone which can act as a magnet – both to residents and visitors.  For example, along the lines of Ashton Lane in Glasgow's West End. However, I would suggest this isn’t much of a hindrance, and indeed can actually be beneficial, as it lends itself to walking and exploring in a relatively condensed area, while offering a variety of options, which is what visitors to any city seek.  

On a recent afternoon I enjoyed a coffee in Books and Beans on Belmont Street, followed by a stroll through Shiprow Village as it opened up, then finished with a drink on my first ever visit to the excellent Faffless on Netherkirkgate. And that’s without mentioning the number of craft beer pubs at the lower end of Union Street, and the more established bars and cafes dotted around Belmont Street and surrounding areas.

 I feel that we underestimate just how good our city centre food and drink offering is, and how much it can appeal to visitors. Yes, there is no doubt improvements can be made. Castlegate continues to be a frustration and a ripe opportunity to be a centrepiece of the city. And it would be great to see even more cultural ambition to build on the success of the always impressive Nuart Festival.

Aberdeen as a city can be so appealing – and hospitable – to visitors and residents. Indeed, I would suggest we already are; but we perhaps don’t always realise it. However, it is paramount that the city is self-confident and positive enough to take the next brave steps.

RGU’s School of Creative & Cultural Business offers a range of undergraduate and post-graduate courses in Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management. Learn more: