Oil services company Balmoral Group has made a six-figure donation to improve Aberdeen city centre.
The offshore engineering firm has pledged the cash towards a campaign by Aberdeen Inspired to restore civic pride in the city’s commercial heart.
The money will go towards a number of initiatives including a “deep cleaning” of Union Street, a scheme to deter people dropping chewing gum and projects to improve lighting.
At a civic reception to mark the city being granted Purple Flag status last night, Susan Bree, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, called on more organisations to follow suit.
She said: “Purple Flag is an independent assessment of the quality of Aberdeen’s night time experience and we are the first Scottish city to be awarded such an accolade.
“This demonstrates what can be achieved by working together towards the greater good.
“We are convinced this collaborative approach, centred around the regeneration of our city centre, can re-ignite civic pride and foster community spirit.
“Balmoral’s significant donation and commitment to a long-term involvement in the project is an important first step forward.”
Jim Milne, chairman and managing director of Balmoral Group, said: “I would like to congratulate Susan and the Aberdeen Inspired team for what they have achieved to date. They have made a great start but so much more needs to be done to our city centre.
“I am delighted that Balmoral Group is in a position to be able to kick-start the next phase of the process.
“Businesses across Aberdeen and, I believe, Aberdeenshire have a civic responsibility to ensure our region’s principal city lives up to its reputation and title of Europe’s energy capital.
“I implore other businesses to come forward and join our efforts to help Aberdeen Inspired achieve its goals.”
In addition to the ongoing initiatives, city-centre businesses are also being called upon to keep the areas outside their shops clean and litter-free.
Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the city’s Business Improvement District (Bid) now operates. Companies in the Bid pay a levy to fund projects to enhance the city centre.