Move your business to Union Street
We want to attract and incubate a vibrant new set of businesses to bring footfall, excitement and sparkle back to the Granite Mile.
To do this, we need to create an environment which is attractive to the best emerging entrepreneurs both locally and nationally – one which takes the risk out of the high street and allows firms time to find their feet.
Fit-out grants and up to two years business rates free are on offer, alongside a suite of incentives offered by businesses in the North-east who want to see Union Street thriving once more.
Empty Shops Grant Scheme
Aberdeen City Councils's Empty Shops Grant Scheme offers grant awards of up to 50% of project costs (up to a value of £70,000) towards eligible physical works required for internal reconfiguration of vacant shops on Union Street to enable reoccupation by new businesses and tenants.
Rent and rates relief
Almost all of our vacant units are eligible for Fresh Start Relief, which gives the occupier a 12-month period without having to pay business rates. Those grants will be topped up to two years, funded by Our Union Street, on eligible units where landlords agree to offer the equivalent of two years’ rent free.
Free Chamber membership
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce is offering one year free silver membership to help raise your profile in its Morning Bulletin and Business Bulletin publications.
Free accountancy support
Azets can provide free accounting support, which could include services like general business advisory on what tax efficient structure to implement and much more.
Free public relations support
BIG Partnership, a local marketing and PR agency, is offering up to 10 hours free consultancy to make sure your launch gets noticed and your business gets off to a flying start.
Commercial property advice
CBRE, global leader in commercial real estate services and investments, will carry out a property search and advise on commercial negotiations of your preferred option.
Interior design consultancy
CP Design Studio offer their interior design services which involves creating functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces through colours, furnishings and design.
Free commercial deep clean
Local professional specialised cleaning company, CSG Clean, offers its "Sparkle Clean" service ahead of moving in or opening up your new business.
Discounted tech and equipment
Currys is offering new Union Street tenants additional discounts on certain goods it sells, including tech, such as laptops and phones, equipment and white goods.
20% off commercial legal services
Legal firm Gilson Gray are offering all new tenants taking a unit on Union Street a 20% discount on commercial legal services up a max discount of £1,500.
Free expert insurance advice
Locally established independent insurance broker, H&R Insurance Services, can offer professional, jargon free expert insurance advice to protect your business.
Free high-speed internet
IFB (Internet for Business) is offering all new Union Street tenants one-year of free high speed internet, allowing you to turbo-charge your business growth from day one.
Complimentary initial costs report
McLeod & Aitken, the vastly-experienced international cost consultancy, is offering all incoming Union Street tenants an initial free costs reporting on scope of works.
Six months of free marketing support
Mearns & Gill, a full-service marketing agency, is offering access to its experienced team and its full range of services for one day per month for six months.
Free energy efficiency audit
Sodexo can offer support with unit upgrades including design guidance, cleaning and painting. They also offer free energy audits and energy efficient lighting.
Shop or office fit-out advice
Space Solutions, experts in office design, can provide advice and guidance around design and layout, building regulations, and what a fit out is likely to entail.
Two months of free cleaning
Local commercial cleaning company, Tidy Green Clean, will offer new tenants two months of free cleaning support to let you focus on growing your business.
Free architectural consultancy
Tinto, experts in architecture, interiors and project management, is offering a free consultation, measured survey, layout plan, shop front mock up and one interior visual.
Business plan consultation
Ryze Limited offers hospitality industry insight to develop concepts, health-check your business plan and operations, and deliver a successful launch from day one.
Complimentary window cleaning
Perfect Shine will offer a window clean for any new Union Street shop opening and a follow up a few weeks later to clean the exterior windows and any signage.
The Empty Shop Grant Scheme and Fresh Start Relief are subject to conditions, but apply to the majority of units. On the additional incentives, incoming businesses can access one for every year of their lease. For example, if you have signed a five-year lease, you can pick five of the incentives. Click here if you would like to speak to the team about incentives.
Fresh Start Relief allows for 100% business rates relief for up to 12 months for new occupation of a property that has been empty for at least 6 months immediately preceding the new occupation. This applies to almost all of the vacant units on Union Street. Those grants will be topped up to two years, funded by Our Union Street, on eligible units where landlords agree to offer the equivalent of two years’ rent free. Click here if you would like to speak to the team about incentives.
The Empty Shops Grant Scheme being offered by Aberdeen City Council totals £500,000, with grants available to be paid from now until 31st March 2025. Grant awards from this fund will offer up to 50% of project costs for eligible physical works and reconfiguration with a maximum award amount of £35,000 per premises. Remaining project costs should be met by the applicant and/or private investment or sourced from alternative public funds. Click here to find out more or here apply for the scheme
Yes! If you feel your business could offer support to incoming Union Street tenants, then we would be delighted to hear from you. Click here to speak to Bob Keiller.
