Union Street latest: Aberdeen business leaders meet with architect of Manchester regeneration
The Our Union Street campaign is continuing to gather pace
Last updated 6th Jun 2023
One of the masterminds behind the resurgence of Manchester's city centre has met with the Our Union Street chair and other business leaders in Aberdeen help revitalise the Granite Mile.
The private roundtable, hosted by Sir Howard Bernstein, took place on the eve of a mass public meeting that will plot the next steps for the centre of Aberdeen.
Who is Sir Howard Bernstein?
Chief Executive of Manchester City Council for nearly two decades, Sir Howard Bernstein is widely recognised as one of the architects behind the regeneration of the city centre.
"Since I retired as Chief Executive of Manchester City Council five years ago I;ve been a stretegic advisor to Deloitte.
"I've been up here several times over the last four or five years working with key clients, working with the wider community, business leaders, as well as leadership of the council. My insights apparently have been helpful, so I've been invited again."
How does Aberdeen unlock its full potential?
That's the question that's been asked what feels like a million times since the pandemic.
"This is this is a city full of assets. city full of opportunity. Yes, there are challenges. But there are challenges to be found in every town and city everywhere in the UK because of the impacts of the pandemic", said Sir Howard.
"But not everywhere has got the opportunity and assets which this great place has, so I have every confidence that this great city will go from strength to strength.
"I think that potential has already been unlocked, really, when you look at the innovation base which already exists in this city, when you look at it's all the infrastructure assets, including the port, you're now got the conference centre (TECA), and so the ability to drive a much stronger visitor economy.
"So Aberdeen has got a unique characterisation, I believe. People wanting to live here, because of the jobs they can access and for all residents of Aberdeen, they can look forward to the city growing with confidence in the future."
What's next?
The Our Union Street campaign has compiled your ideas on how to revitalise the Granite Mile.
They've been narrowed down into 17 key themes to be unveiled at a mass public meeting on Wednesday afternoon in the Music Hall.
The campaign will also have a physical presence, Chairman Bob Keillor says they have the keys to the Union Street Pavilion in Union Terrace Gardens, and hopes they'll be moved in later this month.
There's been significant progress made since the emergency summit that was help in November last year but there's still a long, long way to go.