A COMMUNITY-LED project to rejuvenate Aberdeen’s high street will receive a further £600,000 in funding, the Scottish Government has announced.
On Tuesday, the Scottish Government revealed that it will raise its total investment in the Our Union Street project to £1m while also establishing a new group to aid the progress of restoring Glasgow’s People Palace.
Aberdeen’s Our Union Street project aims to “regenerate, repopulate and reinvigorate the Granite Mile” and has already received £400,000 from the Scottish Government.
The additional funding, announced by Business Minister Tom Arthur, will go towards bringing vacant units in the city’s centre back into use, along with helping support improving shop fronts and building stronger partnerships with local organisations and businesses.
“Union Street has long been the heart of Aberdeen, and like many towns and city centres it has faced significant challenges in recent years,” Arthur said in a statement.
“With support from our £400,000 investment to date, the project is delivering tangible and visible improvements to the street, including improved cleaning and maintenance, exhibits and makeovers of vacant units that have drawn people back into the centre.
“Our investment has supported innovative digital solutions in reimagining the city, particularly the introduction of a smartphone app, which is helping people engage with the city centre in new ways. Increased occupancy and footfall have helped reinforce confidence of the city centre as a place to live, work and invest.”
Arthur added: “We are working closely with the Our Union Street team and Aberdeen City Council to ensure this additional funding builds on existing momentum, while also sending a clear message that Aberdeen City Centre is open for business and committed to attracting investment, talent and new enterprise.”
The Business Minister also announced that the Scottish Government will establish a partnership group to support the redevelopment of the People’s Palace in Glasgow.
Arthur said the Scottish Government recognises the building's national cultural and historic significance and its role in the regeneration of Glasgow’s east end.
The People's Palace has been closed since April 2024 for £36 million worth of refurbishment works to be carried out.
The historic museum located in Glasgow Green was due to reopen in 2027, but Glasgow Life, the charity that runs the city's cultural attractions, said that timelines for the project are “continuing to evolve”.
The charity added that a revised date for the reopening of the museum in the category-A listed building would be made as soon as practically possible.
Arthur added: “At the heart of the People’s Palace redevelopment project is an ambitious vision for the local communities in the east end of Glasgow. This project will use a community-led approach to create a museum by the people, for the people.
“Investing in Our Union Street and the People’s Place demonstrates our clear commitment to regeneration that is locally led, nationally supported, and focused on delivering real change.”
The group will bring together key partners, including Historic Environment Scotland, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Glasgow Life, Museum Galleries Scotland and Scottish Enterprise, alongside wider sectoral expertise, to work collaboratively with Glasgow City Council in progressing the refurbishment of the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens.
