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Businesses favour revamp for Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens

Sole user spotted on Evening Express visit

By David Ewenchief reporter

Published:

PROPOSALS: An artist’s impression of how Sir Ian Wood’s civic square at Union Terrace Gardens would look.

PROPOSALS: An artist’s impression of how Sir Ian Wood’s civic square at Union Terrace Gardens would look. PROPOSALS: An artist’s impression of how Sir Ian Wood’s civic square at Union Terrace Gardens would look.

PROPOSALS: An artist’s impression of how Sir Ian Wood’s civic square at Union Terrace Gardens would look.

PROPOSALS: An artist’s impression of how Sir Ian Wood’s civic square at Union Terrace Gardens would look. PROPOSALS: An artist’s impression of how Sir Ian Wood’s civic square at Union Terrace Gardens would look.

QUIET: A single person was seen using Union Terrace Gardens when the Evening Express visited.

QUIET: A single person was seen using Union Terrace Gardens when the Evening Express visited. QUIET: A single person was seen using Union Terrace Gardens when the Evening Express visited.

GOOD IDEA: Businessman Mike Wilson favours revitalising Union Terrace Gardens.

GOOD IDEA: Businessman Mike Wilson favours revitalising Union Terrace Gardens. GOOD IDEA: Businessman Mike Wilson favours revitalising Union Terrace Gardens.

BUSINESS bosses claimed today that the lack of use of Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens strengthened the case for building a civic square.

The Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF) organisation wants to bridge the gap between Union Street, Denburn Viaduct, Union Terrace and Belmont Street.

Chairman Tom Smith said he was “not surprised” that when the Evening Express visited on a fine day only one person was using the gardens.

Mr Smith said: “Union Terrace Gardens is an unusable gap site in the city’s single most strategically important location.

“Its redundancy is rendered all the more painful by the fact that the buildings which surround it are all of small footprint with no space between them.”

Mike Wilson, owner of The Priory nightclub on Belmont Street and The Monkey House bar and restaurant on Union Terrace, said: “It needs to be brought to life for future generations of Aberdonians.”

City-based energy tycoon Sir Ian Wood has offered £50 million towards the new square.

It would have more than five acres above ground and half again below.

ACSEF has said the square could house an art centre, an outdoor amphitheatre, water features and a play area.

The public will be encouraged to share their views about the proposal and how it might be shaped with consultations due before the end of the year.

Mr Smith added: “Edinburgh has Princes Street and the Castle and Glasgow has Sauchiehall Street and George Square.

“Unfortunately at present Aberdeen has no such compelling location.”

dewen@ajl.co.uk


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