The Press & Journal has today warned that it is "now or never" to save Aberdeen City Centre.
In a rare front-page editorial ahead of an emergency summit this afternoon, organised by Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC), the newspaper has called for political in-fighting to stop and for urgent short-term interventions to breathe new life into an ailing Union Street.
It is hoped that through collaborative working from businesses, politicians, students and local residents, a new era can be born for the city’s most famous street.
Summit
Businesses and city centre representatives will take part in the summit, to be held at the Douglas Hotel, which aims to find short and medium-term solutions - both temporary and permanent - that can breathe new life into the main thoroughfare.
It is proposed that the best ideas and initiatives will be taken forward with seed funding being secured to potentially attract further investment from partners and the private sector.
Aberdeen City Council is currently consulting on potential designs for the city centre as part of the Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Masterplan (CCMBP), with views being sought on detailed concepts for Union Street, Belmont Quarter, Schoolhill and Upperkirkgate, the West End, Aberdeen Market and Castlegate.
Aberdeen Inspired and AGCC said it was crucial that immediate action is taken alongside the longer-term vision.
Alternative solutions
The newspaper has called for a diversification of uses, suggesting that the focus now needs to be on encouraging more people to live and work there.
It said: "Pedestrianisation was once touted as the answer to many of its problems. But with that now kicked into the long grass, we need to look for alternative solutions.
"These need to be focused on the short to medium term in order to raise the area from its knees as soon as possible.
"If not, we risk our city centre facing further decline. We can not be sitting here in 10 years’ time waiting for plans to come to a reality.
"There are many positive things about the city. Aberdeen’s recently renovated Art Gallery, the new South Harbour development and P&J Live to name but a few.
"But Union Street’s down-at-heel appearance isn’t helping attract visitors back.
Silver city can shine again
The editorial concludes: "The future of Union Street is something that affects all Aberdeen residents. It is something that should unite us, for its success will benefit us all.
"We need to think differently and come up with creative solutions that quickly improve the look and feel of our main high street before it’s too late.
"With a targeted collective and collaborative approach we can help the silver city shine once more."
High street warning
Today's summit comes as one of the UK's leading high street experts warned that the energy crisis could cripple high streets.
Mary Portas, the consultant, warned that rising energy bills “the biggest issue that retailers are up against”.
Research from Ankorstore, a wholesale and supply marketplace, found that 97 per cent of retailers believed the government had not provided them with enough support as inflation and soaring energy bills hurt the high street.
Ms Portas highlighted the importance of thriving high streets and towns for encouraging social interaction and fostering a local community. She told The Times that without a successful high street there would be a “gaping hole in our needs”.