At the launch of 'Our Union Street' on 22nd March, the public were invited  to answer four questions:

• What would you do to improve Union Street?
• What should we do with empty retail units as we try to get them filled?
• Which organisations should we be approaching to come to Union Street?
• Where have you seen good examples we might learn from?

On 7th June 2023, Bob Keiller, co-ordinator of the new community-led initiative to re-energise Aberdeen’s Union Street commented: 
“Union Street is not what it used to be - it’s not what it should be, and it’s not what it can be. 

People care about the state of Aberdeen’s historic high street. They care that many retail units sit empty and uninviting. 

They care about graffiti, litter, dirty buildings, weeds growing on balconies and the general upkeep of the street. 

They want Union Street to be a safe, busy, energetic, thriving thoroughfare that compares favourably with the best of UK’s small cities. 

The want someone to take responsibility for addressing these challenges and improving the street. 

They want a consistent, concerted effort with plans, actions and progress. They want to be listened to, and they want to be heard. 

To date, there has been no single body that has the remit to take on these challenges and opportunities. 

That’s what the new organisation – ‘Our Union Street’ - is for.”

Next step

'Our Union Street' reveals key themes which emerged from 10,000 ideas

'Our Union Street' has published details of 17 key themes which have emerged from the 10,000 ideas submitted to them by the public.⁠

The themes all fall under the five distinct challenges facing Union Street, which are: footfall, accessibility, the state of the street,empty shops and the narrative around it.

Over 1,000 volunteers have put their names forward to support the organisation, and 400 people joined a public meeting at the Music Hall yesterday to hear more about the group's next steps.

The meeting coincided with the launch of the group's first whitepaper, which detailed all of the key themes the group will take forward, as well as the ones that it cannot.

Download the whitepaper here   l   KeyFacts Energy news: Aberdeen Focus