A senior council official has admitted that a key initiative designed to keep businesses on Union Street operational during the chaos of road construction has been a failure.

In May, numerous eye-catching signs proclaiming “open for business” were displayed across Aberdeen’s main street. The area being worked on, from Market Street to Bridge Street, is part of a major project to revitalise the region. Council leaders had hoped these signs would prevent shop owners from losing customers following the erection of large hoardings near their shops, and to reassure the public that business would continue as usual, despite the expected months-long disruption.

But just a few months after diggers rolled in, desperate traders claim they are “losing thousands and thousands” due to the works.

The situation worsened when shop owners on The Green expressed concerns about facing the same fate once the construction of the new market begins. Their main issues included the unattractive construction barriers deterring customers, noise, dust, and a lack of support.

During recent intense discussions about the future of city centre developments, a high-ranking official was candid about the failure of the colourful campaign.

Business owners of well-established shops, including The Market Arms, Cheerz Bar, Attic, and Spirit Level, gathered at Cheerz to seek assistance and clarity on the projects. One of their main worries was that the unattractive construction barriers could prevent customers from visiting, leading to an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Several shops on The Green have already reduced their operating hours to survive while the construction of the market continues. They have also requested the local government to extend the “open for business” campaign to The Green, especially with the closure of Hadden Street.

At this juncture, Sandy Beattie, the council’s masterplan manager, acknowledged that the campaign was not successful. He mentioned that the signs placed widely across the city centre did not achieve the desired effect, but emphasised that they are working to correct their mistakes and ensure the campaign meets the needs of businesses. Council officials are now revising the “open for business” signs to be “bigger and bolder” for both Hadden Street and Union Street.

The Green’s main road will remain closed for at least a year from today, with workers seen putting out cones and signs to notify drivers of the traffic restrictions.

Eventually, construction hoarding will be pushed up against the pavement as work on the city’s £40 million food and drink market ramps up in the days ahead.