Response to Our Union Street campaign 'overwhelmingly positive'
Launched just six days ago, more than 500 volunteers have already come forward
Last updated 29th Jan 2024
Just six days after its launch, the response to a campaign to save Union Street has been met with more than 2,500 ideas and over 500 people volunteering their time to help.
The idea for an expert taskforce to be created was raised at November’s emergency Union Street summit.
It's being set-up by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council and Opportunity North East, with additional support from Shell, which recently relocated to the street.
READ MORE: Taskforce set up to save Union Street
The organisation is currently raising funds and will have its own premises on the Granite Mile and will no doubt be boosted by the response to the campaign from Aberdonians.
'Share your ideas, come and help, be patient'
Leader of the campaign Bob Keiller, has urged the public to give him and his team time to implement change.
Speaking to the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, he said: "It is very early days in what, I hope, will be a long-term project.
"The response to the launch has been overwhelmingly positive, with offers of help and support from many people.
"We all know how difficult it can be to get Aberdonians to agree on something, but I think the overwhelming majority agree that we need a different, community-led approach.
"Not everyone agrees, but our message to critics is simple - share your ideas, come and help, be patient."
Support local
Mr Keiller, 59, has previously sat as chair of Scottish Enterprise and CEO of Wood PLC, as well as being named as Scottish Male Business Leader of the Year at the 2011 Scottish Leadership Awards.
He's now seeking to build an army of volunteers drawn from all corners of Aberdeen to help arrest decades of decline in the city centre.
More than 500 have already signed up on the Our Union Street website to volunteer, a futher 2,500 ideas have been shared.
A recurring idea has been to ensure that more local businesses are represented on the Granite Mile.
In response, Mr Keiller said: "This makes sense and was always the intention. We should be encouraging existing local businesses and emerging new businesses to consider Union Street - but I don’t know if that will be enough, so we need look further afield too."
He continued: "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 Union Street. They want it to be a safe, busy, energetic, thriving thoroughfare that compares favourably with the best of UK’s small cities.
"And they want somebody to take responsibility for addressing these challenges and improving the street; a consistent, concerted effort with plans, actions and progress.
"That’s what the new organisation is for."