Work has started on one of hub North Scotland’s biggest projects – a major upgrading and regeneration of Aberdeen city centre.
The improvements to Union Street Central are a key component to reinvigorating the city centre as part of Aberdeen City Council’s City Centre and Beach master Plan (CCBMP). Hub North Scotland are running the Project Management Office for the CCBMP.
City leaders hailed the start of works as a major milestone to revitalising the Granite Mile – the biggest change to the street since it was built more than 200 years ago.
The works to the Union Street Central area – between the Market Street and Bridge Street junctions – will make it more attractive and vibrant while promoting walking and cycling as part of the City Centre and Beach Masterplan. The works include new pavements with locally-sourced granite, a road surface, and cycle lanes, and will help to create a plaza entrance to the new market building.
During the works, access will continue to all shops and businesses for pedestrians, as well as access for delivery vehicles.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “The work to Union Street central will complement the new market building and contribute to making our city centre an even more attractive place to visit.
“This investment in Union Street central, the new market building, and other initiatives such as the Council’s £1million Empty Shops Grant Scheme, all have key roles in creating a vibrant and exciting city centre for people to visit, shop, work and spend time.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “The new high-quality streetscaping for Union Street Central is the next step to make Aberdeen’s city centre a great destination for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“Union Street which is 200 years old is due a makeover – a local makeover as local and Scottish materials are being used for the streetscaping which will help the economy.”
Hub North Scotland and operations director Ewen Fowlie said: “These works will help transform the city centre and we are working with businesses and residents to minimise the impact during construction.”
Morrison Construction is main contractor for the works and are also constructing the new adjoining market building.
The City Council is to receive £20million from the UK Levelling Up Fund which will be used towards the development of Union Street Central and the new market building.
Works are due to be completed, depending on what is uncovered by utility companies, weather, and world-wide supply-chain availability of materials, in autumn 2025.
The start of works was marked by the council co-leaders, hub North Scotland and Morrison Construction along with city centre organisations Our Union Street and Aberdeen Inspired.
Photograph: Ewen Fowlie, operations director, hub North Scotland; Kirstie Golightly, public liaison manager, Morrison Construction; Rod Buchan, contracts manager, Morrison Construction, council co-leader, Councillor Ian Yuill; council co-leader, Councillor Christian Allard; Bob Keiller, chairman, Our Union Street; and Adrian Watson, chief executive, Aberdeen Inspired, on Union Street Central.