MICHAEL Gove MP has visited the site of the Aberdeen Market development which is being backed by a £20 million Levelling Up grant from the UK Government.
The secretary of state for levelling up, housing, and communities was shown around the site that will become a ‘destination venue’ featuring international-style food and drink outlets, as well as bringing nearby pedestrian connectivity on surrounding streets.
A BHS building was recently demolished to make way for the development, after it had laid vacant for seven years before being bought by Aberdeen City Council. The new venue will feature a mix of fixed indoor units alongside space for temporary and pop-up facilities, with it being flexible to seasonal requirements.
Aberdeen City Council received £20 million from the UK Levelling Up Fund which will be used towards the development of the new market and improvements to Union Street Central. The then chancellor, Rishi Sunak, made the funding announcement as part of the UK Government’s budget plans for 2021.
Following the visit, Mr Gove said, “I am delighted to be back in my hometown of Aberdeen today to see first-hand how levelling up funding is transforming the city. Our £20 million investment will ensure Aberdeen continues to prosper with the creation of a vibrant new market space and upgraded transport links turbo charging levelling up.
“This forms part of a huge £2.3 billion from the UK Government to tackle geographic inequalities, create jobs and provide exciting new opportunities for people right across Scotland.”
Aberdeen City Council co-leader, councillor Ian Yuill, added, “I was pleased to have the opportunity to show Mr Gove around the site of the new market today. The UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund grant has been a tremendous boost for this city centre development. The new building will be a destination venue for the city featuring international-style food and drink outlets. It will also improve pedestrian links between Union Street and the bus and railway stations.
“The market development will create jobs, bring a vibrant and exciting new destination for people to visit, and provide an important escalator link between Union Street and the bus and train stations.”
