25 September 2025

 

The demolition of the former beach leisure centre will begin next week. Preparations are already under way with part of an external wall removed to allow specialist machinery access into the building.

 

Site operatives will strip out internal fixtures and fittings and dismantle the swimming pool external flumes. Solar panels on the roof will be removed and retained for reuse or recycling.

 

Work will then begin on removing the former gym hall and the link bridge to the Beach Ballroom before the main demolition works begin.

 

Most of the demolition should be completed before Christmas and the site will be cleared in early 2026.

 

The Linx Ice Arena will be open as normal, and the demolition works will not affect any part of its operation.

Traffic will not be able to enter or leave the Union Street end of Belmont Street from next Tuesday (23 Sept 2025) to allow for reconstruction as part of the upgrade works to Union Street Central.

The temporary restriction is from Tuesday 23 September 2025 until Sunday 22 March 2026 and there will be no entry from Union Street onto Belmont Street, and no exit from Belmont Street onto Union Street.

Access to properties will be maintained however no through-traffic will be possible during this time. An alternative route for vehicles is available via Union Terrace, Rosemount Viaduct, Schoolhill, Back Wynd and Little Belmont Street and Gaelic Lane.

The diversion route includes:

• At the end of Little Belmont Street and Gaelic Lane, all vehicles must turn right onto Belmont Street. A left turn will not be permitted
• All other vehicles must then exit Belmont Street and via Schoolhill

 

To facilitate this diversion, Little Belmont Street will be temporarily reopened to through-traffic and planters and stone roadblocks on Little Belmont Street will be removed. They will be reinstated once the diversion is no longer required.

The first part of a £50million redevelopment of Aberdeen beach was officially opened today with the unveiling of the new-look Broadhill.

Aberdeen’s Lord Provost, Councillor David Cameron, toasted the occasion with a cup of tea from a tartan flask and a traditional rowie at a striking new viewpoint on top of the well-known landmark.

The five-hectare Broadhill has been transformed with new access steps, footpaths, viewpoints, drystone walls, timber and concrete seating and landscaping. The work has been completed in time for the public to enjoy the site as a vantage point for the forthcoming Tall Ships Race (19-22 July).

As he surveyed the completed works, the Lord Provost said: “This is an exciting occasion to toast with the first part of the beachfront works finished.

“As thousands of people come into the city for the Tall Ships Races, the revamped Broadhill with additional seating and a viewpoint will be a prime place to watch the vessels sail into the harbour as well as the spectacular Red Arrows display.”

Broadhill is part of the biggest redevelopment of Aberdeen beach for 35 years with work well under way in creating a beach park and a large events field.

The Broadhill works have seen more than 10,000 new trees, shrubs, and underlying vegetation planted across the site to help enhance the natural environment by further diversifying the habitat and ecological value of the area.

The Lord Provost was joined for today’s opening ceremony by members of the city’s Young Ambassadors, a group of young people who contributed ideas for the beach plans.

Aberdeen City Council’s Co-Leaders welcomed today’s opening as the first project to be completed in the ambitious Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Master Plan.

Co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “It is good to see the first of the beach works finished as the first of the City Centre and Beach Master Plan projects.  We hope many generations to come will make good use of the changes at Broadhill. The beachfront is one of the jewels in the city’s crown and the work taking place in the area will further transform the beach area for the enjoyment of everyone.

“The works are the biggest redevelopment the beach has had for 35 years and is the next step to make Aberdeen an even better place for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Co-leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “We welcome the works finishing at Broadhill. As work continues at the beach, I am looking forward to more of the works finishing and people of all ages being able to make use of the great new facilities.

“We welcome the input of the Young Ambassadors who helped to shape the new facilities here at the city’s beach.  The Council is committed to working with Aberdeen’s residents, beach users, partner organisations, and businesses at the beach to make Aberdeen beach and the Links the envy of other cities and a place where local people and visitors alike will want to visit to again and again.”

The other beach works have seen five new buildings and shelters currently being constructed for the play and events sites along with a new skate landscape while the foundations have been laid for a large bespoke play structure called the Rope Factory which is set to become an iconic attraction.

The play area will have four zones – sport, adventure, woodland, and coastal – all with different free activities.

The 2.5-hectare events field will have an amphitheatre and will be able to host festivals, larger concerts and gatherings. The play park and events field are due for completion in Autumn 2026.

Hub North Scotland is the council’s development and delivery partner for the master plan projects and the main contractor for the beach works is the Robertson Construction Group.

Richard Park, chief executive of hub North Scotland, said: “This is a landmark moment for the beach redevelopment with the transformation of Broadhill and the progress on the other works. Robertson has done a fantastic job in completing the Broadhill and every day now you can see the progress on the rest of the area. This will be a ‘must-visit’ destination when completed.”

Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Construction Group, said: “The opening of Broadhill is the first completed project as part of the overall transformation of Aberdeen’s beach. Being the trusted delivery partner, we understand the importance of bringing the vision of Aberdeen City Council and the local community to life.

“Working closely with hub North Scotland and the Council, significant progress is being made in the creation of well-designed, connected spaces which will be home to high-quality facilities. The vision to redevelop the beach will benefit the community through the provision of public realm spaces that will inspire wellbeing and activity and contribute to the local and regional economy.”

Work is progressing on stripping out the former Beach Leisure Centre in preparation for demolition of the building, which is due to begin next month. The Linx Ice Arena is open for business as normal during the works.

The beach improvements are part of a £150million commitment by Aberdeen City Council towards the City Centre and Beach Master Plan. Works are well under way on a new streetscape for the Union Street Central area while construction on the new market building is progressing as planned. Work is also due to begin on new streetscape improvements to the Castlegate next month. These areas will create vibrant and accessible areas to help make the city a destination of choice for the benefit of residents, visitors, and businesses.

6 June 2025

 

Project Works – Union Street Central

Works have been completed on the south footway between Market Street and Attic with redundant services removed and new paving and kerbing installed.

 

Underground electrical and communications service infrastructure has been fully installed along the south footway, which will allow surface works to advance in the coming weeks.

 

Kerb installation for the new cycleway will continue to progress and the remaining street furniture bases will be installed.

 

New tarmac surfacing will be laid in the coming weeks followed by further paving slab installation to further shape the new look and feel of Union Street’s central area.

 

 

Project Works – Market

Work has been progressing on new concrete walls which will form the structural core of the market building. These works include extensive waterproofing against weather exposure.

 

The new standing seam roof at 91-93 Union Street, formerly British Home Stores has been completed, which allow internal fit out works to begin shortly.

 

Work to remove the scaffolding on the front of 91-93 Union Street is expected to begin week commencing Monday 9 June and should be completed within 10-days. Once that is done, work will begin to remove the scaffolding from the rear of the building.

 

That will allow basement substructure works to commence and prepare the area to receive new pre-cast concrete stairs within the main market building.

 

Preparation works to lay new foundations for the new Market Street arch will also begin. This feature will incorporate reclaimed granite stone from the original shopfront which linked the old market building to neighbouring properties. It will visually tie the new structure back into its surroundings in a way that respects and helps preserve and echoes the original character of the historic layout.

 

 

Project Works – Beach

Works on the beachfront area are progressing on programme with the Broadhill improvement project due to be completed and handed over next month.

Steelwork has also been erected for two of the new buildings – the Gateway Canopy and the Play Park Canopy., and work will continue to progress those structures.

 

On Monday 9 June the internal soft strip works will begin at the former beach leisure centre. Once that is completed the structural demolition of the building will commence later in the summer.

 

The upgrade of the rear car park at the Linx Ice Arena has been completed and is due to come into use on Thursday 12 June. The existing front car park will be closed with hoarding erected around it as it becomes part of the works site.

 

The skate landscape is taking shape with a team from the specialist contractors, Betongpark, on site supervising operations with the first concrete already poured. All the team are experienced skaters, and the company is recognised as one of Europe’s leading exponents of skate area design and construction.

 

Work is also progressing on utility service connections to the site and is due to be completed school summer break.

 

 

Project Works – Castlegate

 

Initial ground site investigation works on the Castlegate have been completed and the findings will be assessed to help inform the programme of streetscape improvements for the area.

 

Engagement sessions were held at the Salvation Army Citadel with businesses located on the Castlegate and Justice Street to go over how the street area will operate once the improvements are completed. The sessions were well attended with positive feedback and the points raised will be looked at by the project team.

 

The streetscape works are due to begin in August following the Tall Ships Race events and are expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.

Temporary traffic management arrangements will be implemented at Aberdeen beach from Monday 12 May to allow crucial works on the beachfront regeneration project.

A phased series of restrictions will enable new utility services on the project site to be safely connected to the city’s utility infrastructure network under the surrounding roads and paths.

These works have been planned to keep disruption to a minimum and will be completed before the school summer holiday break. The restrictions will be as follows:

• Monday 12 May to Wednesday 4 June: Links Road southbound at the Beach Boulevard will be closed. There will be a left turn only from the Beach Boulevard northbound and a left turn only from Links Road northbound
• Thursday 5 June to Friday 6 June: Links Road between the Beach Boulevard and Cotton Street will be closed both ways
• Monday 9 June to Wednesday 11 June: Links Road at the Beach Ballroom will be closed both ways
• Thursday 12 June to Friday 29 June: Links Road at the Beach Ballroom will have parking restrictions and a footpath closure
• Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July: The Esplanade from the Beach Boulevard to Innoflate will have parking restrictions and two-way traffic lights at times

Sign posted diversions via the Esplanade/Links Road and/or the Beach Boulevard will be in place for the duration of the works.

Access to all local businesses and premises will remain throughout the works and all car parks can be accessed via the diversions.

The works are part of the £50 million redevelopment to make the beach area a must-visit destination. The improvements include a class-leading beach park, a large events field, and the enhancement of the Broadhill.