More than a million pounds will be spent on regeneration projects and improvements in Aberdeen over the next year.
The investment was unveiled by business coalition Aberdeen Inspired yesterday as it outlined its budget for the rest of the financial year.
The organisation will plough £1.6million into a range of initiatives – Attractive City, Out and About, Safe and Secure, Marketing and Promotion and United Voice.
Among the projects will be a £250,000 renovation of the green space on the upper deck of the St Nicholas Centre in an effort to encourage more people to make use of it.
Another £600,000 will be invested in a “wayshowing” scheme which will result in 58 map totems being installed at various locations to help people find their way around the city.
A creative lighting project – launched earlier this year at the Duke of Gordon statue in Golden Square – will be extended to other sites throughout the city, including the entrance to the Kirk of St Nicholas and the Union Street colonnade.
About £800,000 of the funding for the next year is made up of contributions from 700 local businesses.
Through voluntary contributions and specific donations – including thousands of pounds from Jim Milne, chairman of the Balmoral Group – this has been doubled to almost £1.6million.
Gary Craig, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Our plans for the St Nicholas rooftop garden have already been warmly received and the feedback on our pilot wayshowing project has also been incredibly positive.
“At the heart of our success has been, and in many ways will continue to be, key partnership working. A sense of togetherness is vital to a successful city and we want to continue to lead an integral part in fostering that for Aberdeen.”
The announcement follows a successful year for Aberdeen Inspired in which £20,000 was invested in the Wild Dolphins art project and the city secured Purple Flag accreditation, in recognition of its commitment to a safe and secure night-time experience.