Sep 072015
 

With thanks to Esther Green, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

Aberdeen, Tuesday, 24th March 2015 Clark Integrated Technologies, Auchterless, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, AB53 8EP (Picture by Michal Wachucik/Newsline Media Ltd)

Margo Robertson says gaining the ISO 9001 accreditation is a boost for Clark IT

Gaining an international standard could help open the door to new business opportunities for North-east technology specialists Clark Integrated Technologies.

Following assessment of the company’s systems for improving customer satisfaction and quality requirements, Clark IT has been awarded ISO9001 accreditation from certification body NQA.

ISO standards ensure that products and services are safe, reliable and of good quality, based on a number of quality management principles.

Recognising the specialist nature and rigorous processes required to gain accreditation, Clark IT enlisted the services of CBO Associates and its consultant Clark Boles to develop and work with them on quality management systems.

Achieving the globally recognised standard is an indication of Clark IT’s commitment to quality and excellence, says commercial director Margo Robertson.

She says:

“This helps sharpen business processes, increases efficiency and, we hope, will open doors to new clients as well as strengthening our existing business.

“We are a heavily focused process environment, committed to delivering a quality service and it is great to achieve this quality stamp that shows we are doing things by the book.”

Based near Turriff, Clark IT has almost 25 years’ experience in providing industry leading support and delivering business-class technology. It is a leading independent provider of managed Information and Communications Technology solutions to a broad range of corporate and commercial clients across Scotland.

It has a large client base in both Aberdeen City and Shire, and has also expanded its client base in the Inverness area.

For more information, visit www.clark-it.com

 

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.
Aug 132015
 
Mike Scott

Moving on to fresh challenges at Clark IT is Mike Scott has taken up a post at with the independent IT specialists after losing his job in the oil and gas sector.

With thanks to Esther Green, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR

The downturn in the oil and gas sector has brought about change in the jobs market which is allowing small to medium enterprises to capitalise by recruiting experienced personnel previously employed in the energy business.

Clark Integrated Technologies’ latest recruit Mike Scott was made redundant from a global oil and gas firm earlier this year.

A matter of a few months after losing his job he was appointed a senior technical support analyst at the Turriff-based firm – and is enjoying the challenges his new role brings.

He’s gone from working for a multi-national organisation to being part of a small but go ahead company that’s core business is providing IT managed services to a large and diverse range of clients.

While Mike (40) admits that losing his job was a blow, he says that it led him to seek out new opportunities.

He says:

“I’m a great believer that you can react or respond to any situation and I try and respond and aim to find the best solution I can.

“Losing my job has given me the opportunity to use my knowledge and skills and join a company that has a real buzz about it. Clark has a wide range of clients and that in itself provides different opportunities and clients to work with.

“I’ve settled in really well, and it’s a friendly workplace where people are motivated to perform and deliver results that meets the demands of the business. There’s a fantastic close knit team spirit throughout the organisation.”

He adds: “Apart from working from home, I’ve got one of the shortest commutes to work as the Clark IT office is just 2.9 miles from home!”

After more than 23 years of working, 17 of those in IT, Mike has seen many changes in the industry and says it is now much more positively embraced by the business world.

“The view of IT has certainly matured,” explains Mike.

“We used to be viewed as techy geeks like you see in the IT Crowd, but over time it has emerged and developed and IT has become more aligned to business strategy and policy.

“IT has shifted from being reactive to taking a more proactive approach, getting ahead of issues and taking control into IT instead of constantly firefighting. There’s more planning and that in turn provides better services.”

Mike has filled one of three new posts at Clark IT, reflecting a growing demand for its specialist services. Clark is expanding by taking on a new apprentice and new client account manager to support the provision of managed ICT solutions to a range of corporate and commercial clients across Scotland and beyond.

Globally, thousands of oil and gas jobs have been shed within the last few months as a result of falling production levels. Personnel are now are looking at different sectors for employment, with benefits for small to medium enterprises.

Commercial director Margo Robertson says:

“We’re thrilled to have Mike on board and already he has become a valued member of the team with his positive can-do approach.

“The down turn in oil and gas has seen an upturn in individuals contacting us to seek out alternative job opportunities. Whilst experience is required for many of our roles, the personal qualities of an applicant are important too.

“We look for individuals who are dynamic and who we know will fit in with our culture, current team and our clients. Qualities which are relevant in our current round of recruitment where we are looking to appoint two apprentices and two client account managers.”

Clark IT has over 20 years of experience in providing industry leading support and delivering business-class technology. The company’s integrated solutions provide industry leading services, productivity and cost effective IT platforms for business growth.

With a client base in both Aberdeen City and Shire, Clark IT has also expanded into the Inverness area.

 

Clark Integrated Technologies:

Clark IT was founded in 1991 and is one of Scotland’s leading independent providers of managed ICT solutions to a broad range of corporate and commercial clients across Scotland and beyond.

With a wealth of technological and commercial experience, supported by an established reputation, Clark IT offers clients reliable and honest strategic advice on all aspects of Information and Communications Technology. Find out more by visiting www.clark-it.com or calling 01888 511 441.

In March, Inverness-based The Castle Group, specialists in the provision of professional security services across Scotland, announced a new contract with Clark IT to provide the company with enhanced technology, upgraded devices and IT support.

Jun 112015
 

Wednesday 10th June 2015, Aberdeen, Scotland. Team Recruitment. (Photo: Ross Johnston/Newsline Media)With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

One of Scotland’s leading recruitment organisations has revealed significant expansion plans that sees the creation of three new divisions and two key appointments at director level.

Founded in 1997, Aberdeen headquartered TEAM Recruitment appointed Lynne Duncan as its Managing Director in October and, since then, the former Aberdeen Football Club sales and marketing manager has undertaken a root and branch review of the business including the formulation of a long term growth strategy.

“I spent my first six months in post fact-finding and listening as it was crucial that I understood fully where we were in the marketplace and what was required to develop the business to the next level.

“While we were very well established in our core areas of ‘Offshore’ and ‘Trades’, we needed to broaden the base in terms of what we offer if we want to grow the business.

“Consequently I am delighted to confirm we are establishing three new divisions in ‘Commercial’, ‘Engineering’ and ‘Executive’ and are significantly strengthening the senior management team with the appointment of two extremely well-known and respected figures within the sector in Craig Finnie and Martyn Garvie as Commercial Director and Client Solutions Director respectively.”

Craig brings with him more than fifteen years of experience in recruitment, executive search, business development, people management and account management.

“I believe this is a chance for us to work effectively and efficiently, in conjunction with our clients, to build a strong and stable future. With our new business model, we have an ability to offer our clients an unparalleled level of service.

“We understand the importance of working collaboratively, which has always been a key driver for me and something that TEAM, as a business, strongly believes in.”

Martyn also boasts more than a decade and a half in the commercial environment, with over six years working in the recruitment sector.

“I am passionate about the global oil and gas industry and driven by my ambition to create a consultancy that is recognised as the best. The opportunity to work with likeminded people who are also driven to achieve these goals keeps me motivated to drive this business forward.

“I feel incredibly proud to be involved in what is a new chapter at TEAM and look forward to being part of a winning team.”

Lynne believes the significance of Craig and Martyn’s appointments should not be underestimated.

“We can now offer our customers the ‘complete package’ in terms of our service, with consistency for the clients across all areas of the business and dedicated teams to meet their varied requirements and that sets us apart from others.

“This is a hugely exciting step for the business and for me personally to be at the forefront of. Terry Allan, who set the business up, has worked tirelessly over the years to build a very solid operation and while we are creating a new structure to take the organisation to the next level, it will be built on the foundation Terry has fostered.

“While we will continue to work with personnel, candidates and clients of long standing, establishing the new divisions will introduce others to TEAM and we will be looking for all of them to be a part of our journey.

“While everyone knows TEAM by name, the key for us going forward is to communicate to everyone what we do and what we can deliver and with my background in sales and marketing that is something we will be undertaking with enthusiasm and vigour.

“At a time of uncertainty, the fact we are adding to our senior team and growing the business speaks volumes!”

TEAM Recruitment Ltd., has a successful track record in providing specialist personnel to clients across the energy industry. Based in Aberdeen and ideally situated to service the North Sea, TEAM also operates globally having serviced clients in projects across Europe, Middle East, Canada, Latin America, USA, Africa and Australasia. www.teamrecruitment.co.uk

 

May 152015
 
Aberdeen, Tuesday, 24th March 2015 Clark Integrated Technologies, Auchterless, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, AB53 8EP (Picture by Michal Wachucik/Newsline Media Ltd)

Clark IT apprentice Neil Warren nominated his employers for the Microsoft Scottish Apprentice Employer of the Year award.

With thanks to Beverly Tricker.

North-east firm Clark Integrated Technologies is in the running for the Microsoft Scottish Apprentice Employer of the Year award.

Neil Warren (18) from Oldmeldrum joined Clark Integrated Technologies (IT) as the company’s first ever apprentice earlier this year, and nominated his employers for the accolade.

The firm has reached the finals and Neil will accompany managing director Austen Clark to the Scottish Parliament later this month, where the winners will be announced.

Neil has appreciated the chance to gain a wide range of on-the-job experience and training through the QA apprenticeship scheme, and felt Clark IT deserved recognition for the “incredible” start they have offered him.

Neil says:

“They took a bit of a risk, taking me on for my enthusiasm, rather than my qualifications as I didn’t have as much to offer on paper as the other applicants.

“Now I’m getting proper training and work experience across a wide range of IT, so I’ve got the best of both worlds which is incredible.”

The winners will be announced at an evening reception at Holyrood in Edinburgh on May 20, during Scottish Apprenticeship Week which runs from 18-22 May.

Aberdeen, Tuesday, 24th March 2015 Clark Integrated Technologies, Auchterless, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, AB53 8EP (Picture by Michal Wachucik/Newsline Media Ltd)

Microsoft has developed its Modern Apprenticeship activity to help businesses in Scotland access talent to build their businesses, and as a way for local young people to gain high quality IT skills and long term employment. Its awards recognise the significant impact made by Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland with both employers and candidates.

Working with over 1,500 commercial partners in Scotland, as well as training partners, the scheme supports young people aged 16-24, improving vital technical skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

Taking on the company’s first modern apprentice has been a positive move for Clark IT, according to Mr Clark, who says:

“Neil nominating us for this award came completely out of the blue and it shows how much he’s valued becoming part of the Clark IT family.

“Equally, he has become a valued employee, showing us the benefits that apprentices bring to business. He’s fitted in really well and as a company we are delighted to be providing training within the workplace to help young employees develop and reach their potential.”

Clark IT has over 20 years of experience in providing industry leading support and delivering business-class technology. The company’s integrated solutions provide industry leading services, productivity and cost effective IT platforms for business growth.

With a client base in both Aberdeen City and Shire, a recent development has seen the expansion of Clark IT into the Inverness area.

About Clark IT:

Clark Integrated Technologies (Clark IT) was founded in 1991 and is one of Scotland’s leading independent providers of managed ICT solutions to a broad range of corporate and commercial clients across Scotland and beyond.

With a wealth of technological and commercial experience, supported by an established reputation, Clark IT offers clients reliable and honest strategic advice on all aspects of Information and Communications Technology. Find out more by visiting www.clark-it.com or calling 01888 511 441.

In March, Inverness-based The Castle Group, specialists in the provision of professional security services across Scotland, announced a new contract with Clark IT to provide the company with enhanced technology, upgraded devices and IT support.

Apr 172015
 

With thanks to Eoin Smith, Tricker PR.

NEWSLINE MEDIA LIMITED

Jean Ryrie has worked at the Thistle Aberdeen Airport for 39 years.

The hospitality industry is notorious for high staff turnover; employees often flit from job to job without hesitation or loyalty. But Thistle hotels in Aberdeen are bucking the trend.
Thistle Aberdeen Airport hotel boasts an experienced team that have stuck together through thick and thin, including a core team that has over 260 years’ experience in the hotel – that’s 21 years longer than the United States of America has been in existence.

Leading the pack is executive head housekeeper Jean Ryrie, who has been a valued member of the team for 39 years.

Recently nominated for housekeeper of the year at the Scottish Hotel Awards, her passion for greeting colleagues and guests with a smile has never faltered.

Jean says,

“Working for Thistle is a fantastic experience. If it wasn’t, I would never have stayed so long. The staff here are like one big family, and we all get on really well. That sense of camaraderie really makes the working day fly by.”

Always willing to go the extra mile for those staying in the hotel, Jean has been known to go above and beyond to ensure her guests are safe and happy during their stay.

Jean remembers,

“One guest that sticks in my mind was a man who called the housekeeping office to ask for extra blankets. It’s not an unusual request so I brought some up, but when I arrived at his room I found him ill in bed with an awful temperature.

“I asked reception to call for a doctor, and kept an eye on him until one arrived.

“One time I visited his room and he had gotten so much worse that I couldn’t wait for the doctor any longer – I called for an ambulance, and he was rushed to hospital.”

The guest was later diagnosed with septicaemia, a severe form of blood poisoning that could have led to fatal complications had Jean not taken action.

She continues,

“I didn’t think twice about calling the ambulance. If a guest is in need, I always feel it is my duty to do whatever I can to help them, and I know my colleagues feel the same way.”

Jean’s caring nature is not just reserved for the hotel’s guests, meaning that she has a hard-working and dedicated team that have stayed with her during her career in the hotel. Ensuring that they are treated and trained well, Jean makes sure everyone in the housekeeping department feels a valued member of the team. 

Alongside new recruits, Jean’s hard-working team includes Margaret Esson (31 years), Camilla Jones (26 years), Brenda Paterson (24 years), Emma Singer (24 years), Audrey Western (23 years) and Fiona Cruickshank (13 years).

General manager Alison Christie says,

“I am absolutely thrilled that so many of my colleagues have chosen to stay at the Thistle Aberdeen Airport for so long. Having such experienced staff means that everything in the hotel runs smoothly – there are very few situations they haven’t come across before. We really are a well-oiled machine.”

That dedication to the job is not just reserved for the housekeeping department, however, and many other teams in the hotel boast extremely experienced staff who have stayed at the hotel throughout their careers.

Food and beverage operator Christina Grant has been a member of the catering team for 34 years, working with breakfast supervisor Lesley Martin and kitchen assistant Ruby Henderson, who have been there for 30 and 29 years respectively. Head chef Richard Simpson has been overseeing the kitchen for a decade.

Alison adds,

“We often see guests returning to the Thistle Aberdeen Airport every time they visit the city. They enjoy seeing the same faces when they check in – it’s like coming to a home from home.

“The continuity guests get from visit to visit means that they always know that they’ll receive top quality service, and I am delighted that we are able to provide that.”

Thistle has three hotels in Aberdeen – The Caledonian, Aberdeen Airport and Aberdeen Altens. There are 446 bedrooms across the three venues, and each has conferencing and banqueting facilities. Aberdeen Altens also has an on-site leisure club and spa. Further information is available at www.thistle.com

Apr 102015
 

By Julia Ghisoni.Bon Accord Lemonade Bottles by Stevan Hogg

Fae Greyhope Road, fully stowed,
The wagons crossed the toon,
Fae hoose tae hoose, wi’ crates o’ juice,
The Bon Accord ale loons.

Fae Auchinyell tae Counteswells,
Tillydrone tae Seaton,
Mass distribution o’ sugar solution,
For kids tae rot their teeth on.

They delivered Cream Soda an’ Bona-Cola,
In their orange motors,
Baith affa fine, for loons an’ quines,
Tae mak’ their ice cream floaters.

Syphons of soda, sweet Red Kola,
Orangeade like nectar,
No contest, they were always the best,
In the fizzy drink business sector.

Amongst fit they made, wiz Pineappleade,
Lime and Tropic too,
Peppermint cordial, that I thought wiz horrible,
Although the blackcurrant would do.

They drove their loads on a’ the roads,
Fae Summerhill tae Torry,
Throughout the ‘deen, there would aye be seen,
A Bon Accord ale lorry.

Image: Bon Accord Lemonade Bottles by Stevan Hogg. Creative Commons Licence

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.
Mar 242015
 

An acclaimed forest restoration project near Loch Ness is demonstrating how conservation can create employment opportunities in the Highlands, says award-winning charity Trees for Life. With thanks to Richard Bunting.

Trees for Life team Native Tree Nursery

This week Trees for Life introduced two new seasonal staff roles at its Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston, bringing the number of employees at the biodiversity hotspot to six – a substantial increase on the single employee under the site’s previous ownership, when it was managed as a traditional sporting estate.

With concerns about employment in much of the country, and across the Highlands in particular, Trees for Life says that the steady growth in employees at Dundreggan since its 2008 purchase of the estate –combined with high job satisfaction levels – shows how conservation action can be good for jobs.

“People benefitting from a wild, natural environment is part of our vision for a restored Caledonian Forest. Dundreggan shows that breathing new life into native woodlands and other natural habitats can offer fulfilling employment and meaningful training opportunities,” said Alan Watson Featherstone, Trees for Life’s Executive Director.

“When conservation groups buy Scottish estates, fears are sometimes expressed about possible reductions in employment – but Dundreggan shows that the opposite can be true. Bringing the land back to ecological health actually creates major benefits for local people and communities.”

Alongside the new jobs, hundreds of volunteers from diverse backgrounds – including the unemployed and those with limited access to healthy outdoor activities or training opportunities – are now gaining the chance to develop environmental skills, knowledge and accredited training each year.

With most practical work at Dundreggan carried out by volunteers, one of the new posts created by Trees for Life is a Long-term Volunteer Coordinator. In this role, former volunteer Tony Henry will help people to gain hands-on conservation experience, through Trees for Life’s Long-Term Volunteer Programme.

In the role of Seasonal Nursery Assistant, Emma Beckinsale will help run Dundreggan’s Native Tree Nursery. Here Trees for Life grows more than 30,000 locally sourced native trees each year, and is trialling innovative ways to propagate rare and hard-to-grow species such as aspen and montane willows.

Doug Gilbert, Dundreggan Operations Manager who oversees the estate’s management said:

“This is a very exciting time at Dundreggan. We are expanding our capacity to accept long-term volunteers as well as increasing the size of our tree nursery, so creating these additional jobs will really help us in our conservation work. It’s great to see enthusiastic people getting the chance to live and work in this wonderful Highland setting.”

Dundreggan has been described as a Highlands “lost world”

The establishment of the new roles has been made possible thanks to funders including the Scottish Power Foundation, which is supporting the Long-Term Volunteers Programme in 2015.

Since being purchased by Trees for Life, the 10,000-acre estate has been transformed into the charity’s flagship rewilding project. Home to a wealth of rare and endangered species – including 10 never recorded in the UK before – Dundreggan has been described as a Highlands “lost world”.

The expanse of wild land contains substantial areas of ancient woodlands, including remnants of the original Caledonian Forest and Scotland’s largest area of dwarf birch. It is home to a group of wild boar in a fenced enclosure as part of a native forest regeneration project, and also hosts groundbreaking scientific research projects.

Dundreggan’s previous role as a sporting estate has left much of it in poor ecological condition however, and restoration of its woodlands and habitats requires long-term conservation action and sustained funding.

The Caledonian Forest is one of the UK’s most endangered habitats, with many of its rare species in danger of extinction. Trees for Life has planted more than a million trees and aims to establish a million more by planting and natural regeneration by 2018. People can help by becoming a member, volunteering, and sponsoring trees for special occasions. See www.treesforlife.org.uk or call 01309 691292.

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.
Mar 202015
 

Plebgate may be over for now, but Clarksongate is just on a cusp. By Duncan Harley.

the_car_is_the_star2Sickipedia comments such as “I would like to point out to Jeremy Clarkson that not all lorry drivers murder prostitutes. Some of us are too busy mowing down Pakis” and “Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended. He must have done something that even the BBC find inexcusable. So that rules out child abuse then” now haunt the internet.

What can the man have been thinking? Even if the press comments about him striking a fellow worker turn out to be untrue, his comment about going to the Job Centre is unlikely to gain much sympathy amongst the unemployed of Woking.

He is after all a multi-millionaire.

Marina Hyde’s piece about Clarksonia in this weeks Guardian resonates. In fact it rings bells if truth be tolled.

“Peter Morgan, screenwriter of The Queen” she says is “already working on a dramatisation.”

Rumours abound that US president Barack Obama is on a watching brief as is Cobra, the nation’s emergency response committee.

The BBC is of course, yet again, verging on being completely out of public control.

The dated Corporation has funding issues and sells the likes of Top Gear globally. Sometimes, cash makes more sense than ideological values. Money, to fund the next round of payoff payments, is king. A long-drawn-out Savile enquiry looks unlikely, but Clarkson-wise a shortly to-be-announced reinstatement might be in view, lest the man attract the likes of Channel 4 or Sky.

Despite the proposed digital licence fee ‘poll tax’ designed to ensnare anyone with a tablet, the accountants, producers and bankers at Auntie Beeb are running scared and in fear of their jobs, and who could blame them. They have families to feed and careers to protect after all. Hitler’s Germany was built on such foundations.

Even the Fat Controller has this week appeared powerless in the face of a public petition signed by half a million TV fans to bring Jeremy Clarkson back on stream.

An old star in a car brings Beeb-corp to its knees, and the nation votes to have him reinstated. Savile is no doubt laughing from the grave.

The scandal-ridden national broadcasting resource has of course funded some brilliant entertainment. Fawlty Towers and those Likely Lads spring immediately to mind. That popular Corrie drama and those two old scrap merchants with a knackered horse come a close second.

As for Clarkson, he is of course the butt of many jokes up and down the land.

Prime Minister David Cameron joked:

“I don’t know exactly what happened. He’s a constituent of mine, a friend of mine. He’s a huge talent.”

BBC Director-General Tony Hall quipped that an investigation was going on to “gather the facts” about the incident.

“We do not have the facts at the moment,” he said. “I am a fan of Jeremy Clarkson but this is a serious thing that is alleged to have taken place.”

“I think he’s been involved in a bit of a dust-up and I don’t think it’s that serious” joked co-presenter James May.

Hedging his bets, former BBC Trust chairman Michael Lyons said:

“I think the BBC’s learnt that actually it can replace even the biggest names, even if needs to, and I’m not saying it needs to.”

Joking aside, Top Gear is one of the BBC’s most popular and profitable TV shows, with Clarkson appearing on it since 1988. The programme has an estimated global audience of 350 million; except, of course, in Argentina.

A lawyer for Mr Tymon, the workmate who Mr Clarkson allegedly assaulted following a possible but so far unfounded allegation of a food dispute, said his client:

“intends to await the outcome of the BBC investigation and will make no comment until that investigation is complete”.

In the Savile days, Auntie Beeb made a complete fool of us all. Let’s not allow it to happen again.

By Duncan Harley ©, Images Duncan Harley ©

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

[Aberdeen Voice accepts and welcomes contributions from all sides/angles pertaining to any issue. Views and opinions expressed in any article are entirely those of the writer/contributor, and inclusion in our publication does not constitute support or endorsement of these by Aberdeen Voice as an organisation or any of its team members.]

Mar 132015
 

Peacock Visual Arts is looking for an experienced Communications and Marketing Manager to join its Aberdeen-based team. Applicants will have at least two years experience in digital marketing and sales, preferably (though not necessarily) in a fine art context.

peacocklogothmPeacock Visual Arts is the leading contemporary art organisation in Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland.

Funded by Creative Scotland and Aberdeen City Council it provides facilities for print making, photography, video, digital design and fabrication and presents an international programme of exhibitions, talks, screenings and gigs.

Set up forty years ago as a fine art printmaking workshop it continues to work with major artists from around the world on ambitious and highly acclaimed print publishing and editioning projects.

Reporting to the Director, the Communications and Marketing Manager will be responsible for all Peacock’s communications and marketing and, with the Print Curator, for developing and implementing successful sales strategies.

Aim:

The aim of the post is threefold:

  • Increase participation in all Peacock’s activities.
  • Raise its profile locally, nationally and internationally.
  • Increase income from print sales.

Salary: Negotiable depending on skills and experience.

For further information and to download the full Job Description please visit http://www.peacockvisualarts.com/ or request it by emailing sarah@peacockvisualarts.co.uk.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon Monday 6 April.

(You will be notified if you have been selected for interview by Thursday 9 April. Interviews will take place on Tuesday 14 April.)

For the interview you will be expected to bring examples of your professional design work and other examples that you admire.

Feb 272015
 

marischalpicBy Phil Johnstone.

In the wake of Aberdeen receiving the Carbuncle Award for most dismal town in Scotland and the on going row over the Marchiscal Square redevelopment the city could do with some good news.

A £2billion funding package as part of the ‘City Deal’ fund would alleviate any angst felt over the Carbuncle award.

If the bid for funds is successful they must be used to help the people who live and work in the area instead of subsidising large corporations so that they continue doing business in the area.

At the moment the money is earmarked for redeveloping the harbour, building a new exhibition centre, transport infrastructure and new housing. Whilst spending the money on a new exhibition centre is debatable, few who live in Aberdeen would disagree with the need for better roads and cheaper housing.

Using the money to start a massive program building good quality council houses would provide jobs, generate income for the council via rents and relieve the pressure on the overheated Aberdeen housing market. The cost of renting a room in Aberdeen has increased by 39% in the past 2 years. As prices spiral out of control it’s making the city unaffordable for many and means attracting key workers such as nurses and teachers is increasingly difficult.

Due to the nature of the oil industry Aberdeen has always had a rather transient population but a significant amount of workers work onshore but commute weekly due to their inability to afford anything cheaper. It’s important to make Aberdeen a place where people want to live not just a place where they work.

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

[Aberdeen Voice accepts and welcomes contributions from all sides/angles pertaining to any issue. Views and opinions expressed in any article are entirely those of the writer/contributor, and inclusion in our publication does not constitute support or endorsement of these by Aberdeen Voice as an organisation or any of its team members.]