Press releases
Aberdeen's Bon Accord centre to be transformed
23 August 2010Aberdeen's Bon Accord Centre is set to be transformed with a £6million modernisation programme, it was announced today.
The refurbishment project will include stunning new entrances at both Schoolhill and George Street, as well as sleek, contemporary interior design, including stylish lighting, ceiling and flooring, along with a range of elegant, modern furniture.
Due to begin at the start of 2011, the Bon Accord project will complement the recent £2million facelift given to the St Nicholas Centre – further consolidating the retail destination’s position on the Scottish retail map.
The new project also follows major refurbishment of the Bon Accord’s central atrium last year and the opening of a cluster of top high street brands, effectively creating a ‘fashion hub’.
Cheryl Smith, Marketing Manager of the Bon Accord and St Nicholas Centres, says the new plans will transform the Bon Accord Centre – and will help cement its status as one of Scotland’s top shopping and fashion destinations.
“In the last year, we have seen a wealth of new names coming to the Bon Accord and St Nicholas Centres. Some of them are prestige brands and it speaks volumes that retailers are choosing to open stores here, it really does serve to underline our position as one of Scotland’s premier shopping destinations.
“This refurbishment will allow us to fully showcase our fantastic array of stores and the range and depth of shopping on offer.
“The St Nicholas facelift and the central atrium have been important phases in the overall redevelopment programme and we are really excited with this latest stage.
“Six million pounds is a significant investment and it underlines the confidence that the Scottish Retail Property Limited Partnership (SRPLP) has both in the Bon Accord and St Nicholas Centres and Aberdeen as a whole.
“The project is going to give the Bon Accord Centre a really fresh, modern and sleek look, in particular the new entrances which will make a fantastic first impression to visitors.
“Ultimately, it is the shoppers who will benefit from the refurbishment. Not only will they have a fashion and retail offering which is second to none across the North and North-east of Scotland but they will benefit from an improved shopping experience in the modernised Bon Accord Centre.”
The new design will use tones of white and cream to create a contemporary image, according to Gary Johnson, Director of Gareth Hoskins Architects.
“As well as using classic, neutral colours, we will also ‘soften the edges’ of the centre with design details such as the curved pillars and circular detail in the ceiling. The new glass entrances are sleek, modern and will completely change the exterior of the centres,” he said.
“We have put a lot of work into creating the right atmosphere and can’t wait to see the new design concept coming to fruition.”
Rita Stephen, Development Manager for Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF),welcomed the refurbishment announcement as an ‘exciting development for the city’s retail offering’.
“Aberdeen’s retail sector has strengthened significantly over the past few years and the improvements at the Bon Accord and St Nicholas Centres have played an important role,” she said.
“A host of exciting new names have opened over the last 12 months and this is having an exceptionally positive knock-on effect. Not only are people staying in Aberdeen to shop but we are seeing an increase in people coming from outside the city and shire specifically because of the fantastic selection of shops on offer.
“It is great to see such a level of investment being made in the centres as it underlines the growing importance of the city as a retail destination.”
Since last May, a total of 15 shops have opened – or announced they are coming - in the Bon Accord and St Nicholas Centres. These include Scotland’s biggest Next, as well as Karen Millen, Swarovski, Hobbs, Jo Malone, Kurt Geiger, Radley and Lipsy and Phase 8, all of whom opened their first stand alone store in the North-east.
The refurbishment work will begin in January 2011 and is scheduled to finish by the autumn. The vast majority of work will happen at night so there will be minimal disruption to shoppers and retailers.
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For further information, please contact:
Land Securities
Melissa Winsor
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7024 5079
