Several hospitality businesses have reinforced their backing of Aberdeen Inspired’s work by signing up to become voluntary levy payers as part of Aberdeen Restaurant Week.
The Ashvale, Da Vinci Italian Restaurant, Faffless, Cup, Travancore, Books and Beans and The Pigs Wings and have joined a growing list of voluntary levy payers the BID has secured, together with many from other sectors including The Tivoli, Aberdeen Football Club, Brodies and CBRE.
Restaurant Week returns to the city next week running for 12 days from Monday 7 to Friday 18 March. It’s a hugely popular event and encourages thousands of people to get out and about and enjoy unique set price lunch and dinner deals priced at £10 and £25 on offer at over 40 of the city centres favourite food spots.
Commenting on becoming a voluntarily levy payer, Elena Ionascu, Owner of Da Vinci Italian Restaurant said: “I chose to become a voluntary levy payer because Aberdeen Inspired helped us to increase our customer base through Aberdeen Restaurant Week. The restaurant is always busy during this time, and many of the people coming during these weeks go on to become regular customers. The promotion Aberdeen Inspired give to this event is massive and is not something we could fund on our own, so is a great way to promote the business with their help."
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “We are very grateful for the endorsement and support given by these local hospitality businesses who have chosen to support the organisations work by paying a voluntary levy.
“Now more than ever businesses in the city centre should be united and work together to drive confidence and footfall back into the city after a particularly challenging period for all. Voluntary payments like help to support the many initiatives and improvements we deliver which are all aimed at encouraging people back into the city centre to spend time and money in our shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities.”
Angela Kozak, Owner of CUP Tea Salon on Little Belmont Street said: “I opened CUP nine years ago and over the last few years I have witnessed the many ideas that Aberdeen Inspired have brought to the area. They have been very supportive throughout the last two years in trying to improve footfall into the city centre and supporting local businesses throughout these difficult times. “
Marcos Sasso, Owner of the highly successful The Pigs Wings on Upperkirkgate added “We have always been big supporters of Aberdeen Inspired’s initiatives which have been a huge driving force behind putting our city on the map as a cultural, creative and innovative place to live, work and visit. We are delighted to volunteer as levy payers and to be a part of this year’s Aberdeen Restaurant Week, giving us the chance to showcase our brand new restaurant space as an ambitious and progressive independent business in the city centre.”
Organised by city centre BID Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen Restaurant Week provides a platform for restaurants and cafes across the city to showcase what they have on offer while also positioning the area as a food-lover’s destination of choice. The initiative which started back in 2018 last ran in November 2021 when many of the restaurants that took part reported a higher number of bookings in comparison to normal weekly figures, with some seeing a 60% increase in covers.
The full line up of participating restaurants and their menus can be found online at aberdeenrestaurantweek.com.