The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
New food hall for city centre
Astreet food market hall will open in the centre of Aberdeen, bringing a new food and drink concept to the city.
Resident X is to reimagine the local bar and dining scene, with a focus on collaborative residency kitchens, modern craft drinks, and high-energy social space.
The modern concept will open its doors in the second quarter of 2022 and will be based across two units within Marischal Square.
Boasting six independently run food and drink units within the venue, as well as an array of seated and standing social areas, it will provide a boost to the city centre’s day and night-time economy.
The brainchild of founders Michael Robertson and David Griffiths, the duo behind the successful Backyard Beach Collective, have already secured a sizeable investment of around £1 million from their main backer Aberdeen City Council.
The investment will allow the duo to bring the currently unused space to life and provide a modern focal point for the street food and drinks scene.
The stylish venue, also known as RX, will include a large shared commercial kitchen which will assist the vendors, while also offering the potential to act as a “dark kitchen” space for individuals and businesses alike to test out menus.
Units will be offered to both local vendors and national independents where it is hoped that the spaces can not only display the best of the north-east, but also act as a low-risk way for national businesses to test the Aberdeen market.
Procurement is already well under way with a spring 2022 opening date anticipated.
RX director, David Griffiths, said: “As proud Aberdonians, Michael and I have been on a mission to help develop Aberdeen’s food and drinks offering into something on par with larger cities across the UK, where collaboration and mixed-use social space are key components to both day and night-time venues.
“We aim to play our part in regenerating the city centre and hope that the venue will become not only a social hub for locals, but also contribute in making Aberdeen a more attractive prospect for both new businesses and tourists alike.”