City Businesses Welcome Boost From Bumper Weekend

 Aberdeen City, News  No Responses »
Sep 022017
 

With thanks to Ross Anderson, Senior Account Manager, Jasmine Ltd.

Aberdeen businesses have reported a significant boost in trade over the weekend following large crowds in the city centre for Celebrate Aberdeen and the Great Aberdeen Run.
Business organisation Aberdeen Inspired has been in touch with traders to assess the impact of the two events – with initial feedback highlighting that some saw an increase of more than 30 percent increase in sales compared to a normal weekend.

Thousands of people spent time in the heart of the city as part of the Celebrate Aberdeen parade and musical performances over Saturday and Sunday as well as the Great Aberdeen Run.

Julie Haig, owner of Haigs Food Hall, said:

“Sunday was really special and to see Union Street geared up for such a great running event was fantastic. The buzz it created in the city was amazing.

“The sense of community spirit I felt over the weekend makes me proud to be an Aberdonian. We saw a significant increase in footfall over the weekend and we would like to thank the people of Aberdeen for coming out and supporting these wonderful events.”

Union Street McDonald’s franchise owner, Craig Duncan, added:

“Sales at breakfast were more than double what we would expect on a normal Sunday and overall for the day there was an increase of more than 30 percent. It’s great to see these big events come to our city and hopefully we’ll see more in the future.”

Craig Willox, owner of Books and Beans, also saw a significant increase in trade which was also boosted by the substantial number of people who visited the Belmont Street Market.

He said:

“This was the busiest weekend of the year for us so far. The Belmont Street Market on Saturday was even bigger than the one in July and looked even better attended. We also had a queue of people waiting outside before we even opened before the Great Aberdeen Run.”

Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired, praised the work of everyone who worked to deliver Celebrate Aberdeen and the Great Aberdeen Run

He said:

“To see the thousands of runners and well-wishers descend on our city over the weekend was very pleasing indeed and we are very proud to have worked with Aberdeen City Council and the other key partners to help deliver Celebrate Aberdeen and the Great Aberdeen Run over the weekend.

“This success clearly demonstrates the growing ambition we have for this city and we look forward to welcoming even more runners, from the city, region and beyond, for next year’s event as it establishes itself nationally as a ‘must attend’ event on the circuit.

“Of course, an acid test for my organisation is business feedback and the initial soundings from many of the retailers in the city centre has been very encouraging indeed.

“We’re now looking to the opening night of the Aberdeen Comedy Festival on Thursday, October 5, with this event being the third largest of its kind in the country, after proving hugely popular last year.

“We again look to the north-east public to come out in force to enjoy this great offering, as well as reach out to those from further afield, as the festival also establishes itself as another event that people will travel to the city to be part of.”

Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen BID operates. It is a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute.

Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district. More information about Aberdeen Inspired is available at: www.aberdeeninspired.com

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Sponsorship Boost For Celebrate Aberdeen

 Aberdeen City, News  No Responses »
Jul 142017
 

With thanks to Ross Anderson, Senior Account Manager, Citrus:Mix

Organisers of Celebrate Aberdeen have welcomed a sponsorship boost from a leading oil and gas company as they aim to hold their largest ever event in the city this year.
Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd have provided £8,500 in sponsorship for the summer extravaganza which features Union Street mile running races, a third sector parade and musical performances across the city centre.

Nexen joins existing sponsors CNR International (UK) Ltd, as well as event partners, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen Inspired, who help to fund the annual event which was first held in 2011, and media partner Northsound Radio.

As well as local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups, musicians and city sports groups have been invited to take part in the event which will be held on Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27, alongside the inaugural Great Aberdeen Run.

More than 140 local groups have signed up to ensure their place in the celebratory parade since the date of the event was announced earlier this year.

Ray Riddoch, Nexen’s Managing Director UK & Sr. VP Europe, said:

“Giving back to the communities where we live and work is deeply rooted in Nexen’s values and we are very excited about our partnership with Celebrate Aberdeen. Our investment in the event reflects the importance Nexen places on supporting the third sector and the excellent work they do. 

“Celebrate Aberdeen is a fantastic example of collaboration between charities, the local community and business and embodies Nexen’s cultural belief of ‘win together.’ We are looking forward to a fantastic weekend and to the most successful Celebrate Aberdeen to date.” 

Morven Mackenzie, the leading force behind Celebrate Aberdeen, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Nexen to the Celebrate Aberdeen family and look forward to working with them in the lead up to our event this summer which will be the biggest and best yet.

“We rely on support from organisations like Nexen and CNR International, as well as our key partners Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council and Northsound Radio, to make the event happen and I’d like to thank them for all of their fantastic support.

“As well as the parading organisations, we also look forward to welcoming performers from across the city who would like to take part. This year we are keen to hear from musicians, singers, bands and dancers, all of whom can all play a part in the weekend’s activities.”

More information about the Celebrate Aberdeen weekend can be found at: www.celebrateaberdeen.org

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Voluntary Disabled Charity Celebrates 8th Anniversary

 Aberdeen City, Information  1 Response »
Sep 232016
 

future-choices-16With thanks to Future Choices.

Future Choices is a local voluntary run Charity which provides social inclusion and recreational activities to some of the most vulnerable adults within the city.

To Celebrate this Anniversary, the Charity has teamed up with Fashion Guru, Lydia Kemunto, Director of Aberdeen Fashion Week to showcase some amazing fashion as well as putting on some amazing entertainment.

Lydia said:

“At Aberdeen Fashion Week, we are very passionate about supporting our community, that’s why we decided to be part of Future Choices 8th birthday celebrations. We will be doing a fashion show with 4 of our designers. We are very proud to be associated.”

Charity Vice Chairman, Devon Thompson added:

“Future Choices Celebrating 8 years of Voluntary work within the community touching so many lives in such a positive way is an amazing achievement. Without the support from the people of the city, we wouldnt be where we are now, so I thank you all so much.”

The Charity has also launched a TEXT giving service,so to donate to Help Future Choices raise much needed funds to help them carry on their voluntary work.

Text: FCIS08 £5 to 70070

Visit www.future-choices.org.uk for updates.

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Granite City To Erupt With Colour And Talent

 Articles  No Responses »
Aug 292014
 

Celebrate Aberdeen logoWith thanks to Paul Beaton.

The Granite City will erupt with colour and talent this weekend when an event aimed at celebrating all that’s great about Aberdeen takes place.

The gathering, Celebrate Aberdeen, will feature the very best in local talent, with a host of performers and community groups set to take to stages within the city’s Union Terrace Gardens and Academy Shopping Centre courtyard, as well as on Denburn Viaduct, St Nicholas Deck and St Nicholas Street.

The stellar line-up features more than 70 acts, including the Aberdeen Rock Choir, north-east wrestling organisation, WrestleZone, and local comedy club Breakneck Comedy.

Meanwhile, an event aimed at showcasing the city’s rich cultural diversity will also be incorporated into Celebrate Aberdeen, with One World Day organising a range of activities along Denburn Viaduct, where stalls will sell a mix of fairly traded and ethical goods, over the course of the weekend.

The group will also host a stage, where entertainers will perform music, dance, poetry, storytelling, and much more.

The wider Celebrate Aberdeen event – organised by the big-hearted team of volunteers behind the Celebrate Aberdeen Parade, in partnership with Aberdeen City Council – builds on the success of the parade, which saw more than 3,500 people from 130 different third sector organisations come together on three occasions to highlight the exceptional work carried out by local charities.

This new event, which is being sponsored by Aberdeen head-quartered oil and natural gas operator CNR International, has the same ultimate aim as the parade; to unite people in a positive manner to celebrate the great people of Aberdeen.

Celebrate Aberdeen’s Morven Mackenzie commented:

“We’re extremely excited that Celebrate Aberdeen is now upon us and look forward to treating the people of the city to an action-packed weekend.

“Organising the event has involved a lot of hard work but we’ve been overwhelmed by the response we’ve received from performers, businesses, charities and community groups, who have all been eager to celebrate all that’s great about the Granite City.

“We would just urge the people of Aberdeen and visitors to this great city to show their support by coming along and joining in the fun!”

More Info:

Facebook.
Weekend Schedule.

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VSA Fun Day – Sunday June 10

 Aberdeen City  No Responses »
Jun 072012
 

With thanks to VSA Fundraising Officer Claire McBain.

vsa-day-2012-pic1
There will be something for everyone on Sunday (June 10) at Duthie Park between 10am and 4pm when the Celebrate Aberdeen weekend is rounded off with a huge family fun day.
Voluntary Services Aberdeen, the UK’s largest city social care charity supporting people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, is preparing to say a big thank you to those who have volunteered over the past year with its biggest ever fun day.

VSA Day, the charity’s annual fun day at Duthie Park, Aberdeen, sponsored by CNR, was established in 2007 to celebrate and thank volunteers, staff and supporters who have made a difference over the year and to highlight the significant work of VSA in the local community.

Kenneth Simpson, chief executive at VSA, said:

“I’m delighted to be hosting VSA Day for the sixth time, especially given the big jump in size this year.  We’ve doubled our stallholder numbers and attracted more entertainment than ever.  Visitors can relax watching musicians, dancers and cheerleaders or get involved with military fitness, zumba and yoga. 

“Aberdeen Football Club will be on hand to give budding soccer stars a tutorial and, as usual, our funfair and face painters will be out in force.  Shoppers will be satisfied too, whether it’s delicious cakes, sparkly jewels or pocket money treats they’re after.

“Our staff are firmly behind VSA Day and we’ll have a healthy turnout of stalls headed by our services.  Easter Anguston Farm will bring their popular farm shop and plants into the city while Craigton Grove, a residential setting where twelve adults with learning disabilities live as independently as possible, is bringing Aberdeen back to its childhood with a day of old fashioned races, like the egg and spoon.

“We’ve had turnouts of thousands in past years and expect even more this time – not just because of our increased offering but with Celebrate Aberdeen hitting town the day before, VSA Day will be the perfect way to bring the feel-good weekend to a close.

Elaine Michael, day care manager, runs several VSA services that will be represented on the day.  She said:

“It’s a great opportunity for us to demonstrate what VSA is all about.  Each service can make their cause stand out and explain to the public exactly what they do. 

Our Friends for Life club, an informal weekly youth club creating bonds between like-minded children with additional support needs, will hold a sumo wrestling challenge and Maisie’s Children’s Centre staff are busy baking for their homebakes stall. 

Each year we have a walkathon too; a gentle challenge for both mainstream children and those with additional support needs.  This year we’re adding an extra ingredient of fun with a fancy dress option.

“VSA Day is an ideal occasion for people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to have fun and support their local community at the same time.”

VSA is always looking for volunteers to help on the day.  VSA Day will be held on Sunday 10 June between 10am and 4pm at Duthie Park, Aberdeen.  Admission is free.  VSA, sponsored by Shore Porters, will also be part of Celebrate Aberdeen on Saturday 9 June.

For further information, photographs or to arrange an interview, please contact Claire McBain on 01224 358611 or e-mail claire.mcbain@vsa.org.uk