An Aberdeen businesswoman is bringing a vacant Union Street unit back to life as a new “high-end” coffee shop – with an exotic Spanish touch.
Angela Bradbrook, owner of the Cup cafe on Little Belmont Street, is opening a new venue at the top of the Granite Mile.
Cup recently marked a decade in the city centre, and Angela told us now was the perfect time to branch out.
It comes amid a major drive to bring vacant units back into use, with council cash helping cover the cost of reviving empty spaces along Union Street.
Angela says that, without this incentive, she may not have taken the daunting step onto the Granite Mile…
What will the new venue be like?
Angela says 474 by Cup will offer “something different” to the west end of the street, where there is a “really good vibe” for local businesses.
It will focus on high quality coffee, and being a “cool place” for those working in the area.
While it will mainly be a takeaway, there will be space for 10 customers inside.
The menu will also include empanadas and churros, as well as more traditional lunch options, with products sourced by local suppliers.
Where will 474 by Cup be located?
The new café will open at the former Aberdeen Whisky Shop site on 474 Union Street, which has lain empty since July.
Signs have already been placed on the windows of 474 by Cup, which is expected to open towards the end of next week.
Angela says the unit had previously “caught her eye”, and once she had a look inside she instantly had a vision for it.
It’s right across from the Silver Fin building that now homes hundreds of Shell employees – making it the perfect location.
Angela said: “It’s important that businesses are looking to come into the city centre because you can definitely feel there is a vibe for such things.
“And I feel that when units start to fill up, others may have the incentive to do the same.
“I am investing in the city centre, and now I hope the people of Aberdeen invest in me.”
What is the scheme that Cup boss has capitalised on?
The new venue has been aided by the council’s recently launched £500,000 scheme, encouraging more people to take on vacant units on the Granite Mile.
It offers grants of up to 50% of project costs when it comes to revamping empty units, and already the premises has been largely kitted out.
Angela says she probably wouldn’t have been able to take on this new venture without this cash boost.
‘I believe there is a future in our city centre’
And while she admits Union Street has “suffered more” in the last six months, she remains positive about its future.
Angela adds: “Having run a businesss on Little Belmont Street for 11 years, I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs in the city centre.
“But it hasn’t made me too scared to open this [474 by Cup].
“I believe there is a future in our city centre – but we have to be patient and we have to support it.”
You can see all of the empty – and occupied units – in Aberdeen city centre here.
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