Small business owners give views on how to boost Aberdeen city centre

SMALL businesses around Aberdeen city centre were today split over the City Garden Project but united in the belief the area needs more investment.

The Evening Express asked some of Aberdeen’s small business owners for their thoughts.

Christine Burns, of Casa Gabriele on Bridge Street, said of the decision: “We were very disappointed. We thought it was an opportunity to see some more life.”

Susan Caie, owner of the Beautiful Mountain cafe on Belmont Street, said: “The council should put the international market and the farmers’ market in Union Terrace Gardens.”

Julie Haig, owner of Haig’s Food Hall delicatessen on Schoolhill, said: “I think the City Garden Project probably would have been good for business.”

Kenny Flavill, owner of Artists Pad on Castle Street, said: “I felt the decision on the gardens went the right way.”

And Aberdeen BID chief executive Susan Bree said: “We have to come up with an alternative plan for the city centre as a whole, not just the gardens.”