Eatery plans predicted to help street’s fightback

An Aberdeen businessman has said his plans for a new restaurant on Union Street could be the beginning of a “fightback” by the beleaguered area.

Carlton Rock, run by Alan Massie, has applied to change the use of 339 Union Street from mixed use to use as a restaurant, with the installation of a chimney.

If approved the new restaurant will open from 11am to midnight.

Last month it emerged some 37 units on the once-bustling “Granite Mile” are now lying empty.

“We need to look at the next chapter for Union Street soon and that will need a discussion”

The city council is encouraging more people to live in the city centre as part of the 25-year city centre masterplan.

While there has been a general nationwide trend against retail, as many shoppers have turned to buying things online, Mr Massie said he still believes the street has a bright future.

He said: “There are a lot of good-quality restaurants up that end of Union Street and we are trying to create an area there that will draw people.

“Shopping centres like Union Square have become a bit like a village of their own so I think it is important there is still investment in the city centre.

“This is a type of fightback for the street.

“We need to look at the next chapter for Union Street soon and that will need a discussion on pedestrianisation.”