The centre of the Granite City is set to sparkle once again now that Aberdeen's Business Improvement District (BiD) is underway.

The Aberdeen BiD team, in partnership with the city centre manager, has completed an audit of Union Street buildings which has identified areas in need of attention.

The BiD is to fund the initial stages of the building clean-up process which will include removing weeds and clearing blockages to gutters, downpipes and cross-pavement drainage, as well as the removal of green algae from building facades.

The owners and tenants of both commercial and residential buildings in the area have been written to and sent photographs of the obvious faults.

John Michie, BiD chairman, said: "The first thing you notice when visiting Aberdeen's city centre is the striking granite architecture. These beautiful buildings have been somewhat neglected over the years and the overgrown guttering and unattractive algae make for unsightly viewing.

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"A clean city leads to a safer city and one which is more attractive to visitors and future investment. We just need to look at the fantastic restoration of Marischal College, which is now one of the most impressive buildings in Aberdeen, to appreciate the impact of effective cleaning. The clean-up will go a long way to restoring our pride in Union Street and the city centre."

City centre manager Tom Moore commented: "Property owners in the area are also being urged to act swiftly in addressing any faults to their buildings' structure, some of which have already been identified in the photos, plus any that show up during the cleaning process. Well maintained buildings increase in value and add to value of the neighbouring buildings, which in turn improves the appeal and the economy of the area."

The audit and first stages of the clean-up will be financed by the BiD, which has begun its collection of the first levy payment amounting to £500,000 from city centre businesses.

Under the BiD, city centre businesses with a ratable value of more than £27,500 pay a 1% levy to fund a variety of initiatives that will attract more footfall into the city centre by making it cleaner, safer and a more attractive place to live, work and invest.

Mr Michie added: "We are pleased to start with an initiative that will result in a tangible difference. We have many more exciting projects lined up and are looking forward to having a new board in place to drive them forward."

(GK)