‘Are the cleaners on strike?’ Cruise passenger’s damning review relayed as efforts to save Union Street step up

Organisers were brutally honest about the challenge as they rallied hundreds to form an army of volunteers.

By Ben Hendry

June 7 2023, 5:24 pm

This was the shocking message sent to audience members as Our Union Street staged a meeting at Aberdeen Music Hall. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

The unimpressed verdict of a German holidaymaker was relayed as hundreds rallied to save Aberdeen’s Granite Mile.

Scores of people visited Aberdeen Music Hall at noon on Wednesday to show support for the Our Union Street campaign.

Group leader, business guru Bob Keiller, made no bones about the enormity of the challenge before the community-led taskforce.

Hundreds of people spread across the Music Hall for the Our Union Street meeting. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

Some people in attendance even took notes. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

Welcoming the audience, he listed the 17 “key themes” that his group will explore as they seek to restore pride in the city centre – and boost trade.

And he encouraged an army of volunteers to lend a hand.

Admitting that Union Street has been “on a slow downward spiral” for years, Bob gave a topical example of the sort of view he is fighting to change.

He said: “Imagine if a German tourist came off a cruise ship and said ‘this is a wonderful place’…

“Rather than, as one did say recently, ‘are the street cleaners on strike?'”

Crowds of tourists have been seen snapping holiday pictures around the city centre since the first ship arrived at the new South Harbour last month. Image: Wullie Marr / DC Thomson

Union Street Music Hall meeting shocked by blunt feedback

He was followed by fellow board member Ryan Crighton, from Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, who revisited an even more damning review – this time from a local.

Ryan told the Music Hall crowd about a series of public surveys undertaken before a crunch Union Street summit last November.

Scores of business leaders attended the summit. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

And he didn’t hold back, explaining that one respondent bluntly declared the once-bustling main artery as “a s***hole”.

He explained that several city leaders had been “taken aback” by how much people had “fallen out of love with Union Street”.

There were some gasps when this popped up on the screen. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

So what is being done about it?

The meeting at Aberdeen Music Hall took place just two months on from Our Union Street’s creation.

In the time since then, organisers have been sifting through thousands of ideas submitted by residents.

And on the day itself, there was perhaps a sense of optimism in the air…

Artists were adding the finishing touches to new city centre murals, grass is finally being laid on Union Terrace Gardens – and even a new Greggs has opened on the street.

The bakery giant has set up shop in a former Boots chemist, flitting from the nearby Trinity Centre. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

Attendees were handed slips of paper as they filed into the hall.

If they wanted to join the crusade, they were asked to add their name and email address – and specify whether they want to be a “potential leader” or “team member” on volunteer squads.

A member of the audience scans their card. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

Though the initiative is in its infancy, it’s thought an army of volunteers could end up helping to keep the Granite Mile looking clean.

But Our Union Street leader Bob joked that those at the Music Hall meeting wouldn’t be asked to “grab a bucket and some Domestos” on their way out.

Turnout at Music Hall meeting ‘hugely encouraging’

The team then explained the 17 “key themes” they will explore in an effort to redress the famous street’s decline.

Issues like footfall, empty shops, parking problems and the “state” of the thoroughfare all take precedence.

Members of the audience had their say too.

Some commented on the anti-social behaviour on Union Street, while others called for more work with young people – and many praised the fledgling initiative.

Bob addressing the room. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

Bob, who is committing his time for free, said the turnout had been “hugely encouraging” as the collective embarks on the next stage of its mission.

And contrary to the review from the recent cruise ship passenger, one of Aberdeen’s hard-working street cleaners was indeed in action – passing by the venue as the meeting ended.