‘A facility Aberdeen is sorely lacking’: Readers react to plans to bring National History Museum to the city

By Rebecca Buchan

August 22 2022, 12:12 pm

What do readers think of plans to turn the empty Aberdeen John Lewis into a Natural History Museum? Photo: Shutterstock

Proposals for Aberdeen’s empty John Lewis building to be converted into a world-class museum have been lapped up by our readers.

Norco House was emptied last summer, and has been used by NHS Grampian as a vaccination centre since then.

But its long-term future remains in doubt.

Earlier this year councillor Marie Boulton touted the idea of “aiming high” in the bid to secure a new lease of life for the former George Street department store.

Councillor Marie Boulton said she hoped the building could be used as a National History Museum. Picture by Chris Sumner/DCT Media.

And one suggestion was to fill it with the likes of a National History Museum.

Vision was backed by now-council leader

SNP group leader Alex Nicoll backed her vision in March.

He said: “The reason the Eden Project ended up going to Dundee is because John Alexander, the leader of Dundee City Council, went to them.

“That is exactly what we are suggesting, and I commend that good idea.”

Norco House could be transformed into museum space under new plans. Picture by Kenny Elrick

This week, the Press and Journal announced there had been little progress made with the proposals due to staffing changes at Westminster holding up the discussions.

Dozens of our readers took to social media to express their excitement over the potential redevelopment.

Museum ‘exactly what the city needs’

Tee Guthrie said: “100% yes, a museum is something Aberdeen is sorely lacking!”

While Penny Hodge said: “First sensible thing I’ve heard for Aberdeen for ages.”

Tracey Reid also agreed and said: “This is exactly what we need in Aberdeen.

“Been to the big museum in Edinburgh and it was amazing, and planning on going to the one in Glasgow, but we need it in Aberdeen too.”

Member of staff Liv Mullen with a Dalek during a photocall at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for the announcement of the forthcoming Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition in December. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Cheryl Ramsey said the idea was “fantastic” and added she really hoped it goes ahead while Wendy Slater said the building would be an “ideal and perfect location for it”.

Others thought it would be a great way to regenerate George Street.

Neil Newcombe said: “Wouldn’t that be a great opportunity to breathe life into a dead end area – what a great idea!”

‘Fix our empty shops before you focus on museum’

While there was some excitement others believed there should be more focus on attracting new shops to the area.

Jenny Strachan said: “Great idea but I’d rather see them fix our shops first instead of them all closing their doors to Aberdeen. Not going to attract tourists when all we have are charity shops.”

And Astrid Stuart added: “Instead of this they should start opening shops again. Aberdeen is dead.”

Diane Bartlet loved the concept but expressed her frustration over the lack of progress made in the city to date.

She said: “It’s Aberdeen. We are so backwards to have something like that, anything to try and get Aberdeen back on the map just gets shot down.”