Aberdeen launches new app to help people explore city

A new app has been launched in Aberdeen to encourage more people to go into and explore the city centre.

The platform, Our Aberdeen, will make it easier to see what’s open, what’s happening and new places to eat, shop, visit or explore.

It’s been developed by Our Union Street, a community-led organisation aiming to regenerate the Granite Mile by tackling key challenges facing local businesses, including a lack of visibility into what’s happening across Aberdeen.

Chairman of Our Union Street, Bob Keiller says the free app showcases the very best the city has to offer on one platform.

“We asked people what difference they wanted to see about the city centre and they told us it would be good if they knew what was going on, it would be good to know what special deals were on the table and it would be good to have more things to see and do.

“This is what this app does in an effort to get more people into the city centre.

“We are trying to make people proud of the city again. Visitors here are already proud of the city; they love it, but a lot of local people have fallen out of love with the city centre, and we’d love to give them reasons to come back and learn about things in the city that are uncelebrated or difficult to find, until now.”

The app offers an all-in-one guide to events, gives users exclusive deals at independent shops, and has interactive trails uncovering Aberdeen’s lesser-known history.

By sharing inspiration and information, it’s hoped the app will reveal a new side of Aberdeen, making it easier and more convenient to enjoy while also supporting local businesses.

Users will be able to follow a series of specially curated trails, revealing glimpses into the City’s hidden gems and history, and vibrant music and art scene, among other highlights.

“We are working hard to restore pride in the city centre, and that takes a number of different things”, added Bob. “We have got to fill the empty shops, make the other ones look better, keep it clean and bright, finish the construction work, and this app is an essential part of that process.

“This is key really to getting more people to come to the city centre, to give them things to do, things to learn from and things to entertain them and keep them interested.

“There’s so much to see and do in Aberdeen, this is about making it easier to get back into the city centre and rediscover what’s here — whether that’s somewhere new to eat, something to do, or just a different way to spend time.

“We hope it gives people more reasons to come in, supports local businesses, and makes exploring the city easy and enjoyable for everyone. For visitors to the city, the app brings together a raft of things to do and see, memories to be made, crucially all in the one place, the city in your pocket.”