Aberdeen's business community 'strongly in support' of pedestrianizing Union Street

Aberdeen’s business community has “come out strongly in support” of proposals that would pedestrianise central Union Street.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce surveyed its membership database via email between 8.30am on April 27, 2022, and 12pm on April 28.

Of 221 respondents, 78.2% said they were in favour of the plans, while 21.8% said they were against.

The proposals would see a 300-metre stretch of the street transformed into a vehicle-free zone.

The stretch of land up for debate, between Bridge and Market Streets, was closed to vehicles during the pandemic by Aberdeen City Council, with hopes to make the change permanent.

However, earlier this year councillors voted to reopen this part of Union Street to buses, taxis and bicycles.

The issue is expected to be debated at the next full meeting of Aberdeen City Council.

The backing of Chamber members comes as the city centre business improvement district, Aberdeen Inspired, launched a campaign on Tuesday urging residents to show their support for the proposals.

Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Many of our levy payers agree that proper pedestrianisation of the 300m stretch of Union Street from Bridge Street to Market Street would pave the way for renewed investment, bring businesses back to that part of our main street and encourage the café culture we have enjoyed during the pandemic to grow and prosper.”

Mr Watson said concerns about the move’s impact on accessibility must also be addressed, citing other major locations which have successfully pedestrianised their town and city centres.

“These barriers have been overcome in every other major city in the UK and we need to work together to find viable solutions – but this is an opportunity to halt the decline of our city centre that we simply cannot afford to miss.