Businesses 'struggling to survive' amid £150m city centre revamp

Businesses in Aberdeen say they are struggling to keep their doors open due to ongoing construction work in the city centre.

The redevelopment of Union Street, the Green and Castlegate is yet to be completed as part of the city’s £150m transformation.

The Granite City is undergoing a huge revamp, including changes to Union Street, a £50m beachfront and the building of a brand new market.

But locals and businesses say they are unhappy with the state of the high streets while works are taking place.

Aberdeen City Council says it will continue to work with all the businesses affected.

‘I don’t get customers like before’

Soran's gallery — Soran’s gallery STV News

Soran Xurmale realised his dream of opening a cafe in Aberdeen for local artists a year ago.

But construction has been ongoing in the Castlegate area of the city for the past few months – and Soran says it’s impacted the number of customers coming to the cafe, and he’s struggling to keep the business going.

“There’s a very small chance I can keep going and keep the shop open until it’s finished. I can’t get customers like before.

“I still have outstanding payments. I need support or a grant.”

He said he sold much of his prized equipment to stay afloat.

“I took all the things from my studio – my cameras, umbrellas, lighting, the background – and I sold them all because I needed cash for payments in January and February.

“I sold my car also because I wanted to stay here.”

Soran fears his business will struggle to stay afloat STV News

He fears he will have to close without help from the council.

“After ten years, I have this place, photography for Aberdonians and for the city. I like this city and the people.

“If I lose the shop, I’m worried my mental health will suffer.”

People on the high street also lamented the current condition of the city centre.

“Walking down here is quite crazy, the city seems very quiet,” one woman said.

“I remember when it was really busy, there were shops open, lots of people walking through the city centre. Hardly anyone walks around now.”

Another passer-by said she is “disgusted.”

“I think it’s terrible. It’s ruined Aberdeen. No shops, nothing. Terrible.”

Construction under way in Castle Street, Aberdeen STV News

Others had a more optimistic outlook.

One man who grew up in Aberdeen and was back visiting said he thinks it will look “super” when it’s completed.

“I heard rumours about it really going downhill, which saddened me – but I’m pleased to see it all being fixed up.

“I think people are stoic and they’ll put up with it until it’s done and forget it happened.”

One local said conversations with tourists suggested Aberdonians are far from alone in dealing with lengthy construction works.

“It’s taken an awful long time, but we speak to a lot of tourists around our village where I live, and they say their cities are exactly the same. Everywhere you look, something is being dug up.

“Maybe we’re not any worse than anywhere else.”

‘Our trade has gone way down’

Dorothy Bothwell says the council 'has a lot to answer for' — Dorothy Bothwell says the council ‘has a lot to answer for’ STV News

Café 52 has been on the Green, just off Union Street, for over 30 years. For the first time in 24 years, they have had to remove their outside seating to make way for the revamp.

“Customers are not coming to the city centre in the way they used to. Our trade has gone way down.”

Former headteacher Dorothy Bothwell, whose son runs the cafe, says the council has “a lot to answer for.”

She said: “It’s sad a local authority chooses to do what they’ve done, especially being the most historic part of Aberdeen. The Green was a magical place.

“We should be selling it to visitors. For 600 years, this was the only entrance into Aberdeen. There’s a loss of business in an area that should be getting topped up.”

In addition to the ongoing works for the new market building nearby, scheduled for completion in autumn 2027, bus gates and LEZ zones are also affecting business.

“How long has that building been getting built? In the meantime, how many businesses are going to close?”

The ongoing construction works have drawn a mixed reaction from the Aberdeen public STV News

The hope, though, for many businesses is that once construction is complete, more people will flock to the city centre and help the area thrive once again.

An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: “Aberdeen City Council, through its contractors, has been working with businesses to keep them updated on the programming of City Centre and Beach Masterplan projects and to facilitate access while the works are ongoing in these three areas.  

“The Open for Business campaign has also been refreshed to support the businesses impacted, and we will continue to work with all the businesses on the Castlegate, The Green, and Union Street while the works are ongoing.  We will continue to listen to feedback and work with businesses to help facilitate access while the works are ongoing.

“The commitment by Aberdeen City Council towards the City Centre and Beach Masterplan includes major improvement works under way at Union Street Central, the new market building, the Castlegate, and at the city’s beach area.

“They will create vibrant and accessible areas to help make the city a destination of choice for the benefit of residents, visitors, and businesses.”