Following the recent closure of TGI Friday’s at Queen’s Links, council finance chief Alex McLellan hopes the makeover will open up additional options for businesses.

As Aberdeen’s beach renovations progress, there is hope that the makeover will be sufficient to fill the vacant flats at Queens Links.

The council is investing £57 million in a coastal overhaul, including a futuristic beach park, improvements to Broadhill, and the construction of an amphitheatre near the sea.

According to Aberdeen council finance manager Alex McLellan, work on the site is progressing well and should be completed by the end of the year.

However, Queens Links has encountered severe issues in recent years.

TGI Friday’s closed last month, joining Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquitos, and Bella Italia as the latest restaurant to close at the park.

Mr McLellan acknowledged the situation as a “real challenge” and framed it as part of a larger national issue facing the hotel industry.

However, he feels the upcoming coastal development will revitalise the neighbourhood.

And, if a futuristic new playpark proves to be as successful as envisaged, he believes it may persuade booming food truck traders to move from Fittie to larger facilities at the lonely Queens Links.

Aberdeen beach revamp will make Queens Links ‘more desirable’ says finance boss

The councillor for Tillydrone, Seaton, and Old Aberdeen believes the initiative will attract visitors from all over the city, Aberdeenshire, and Scotland.

He also told the Press and Journal that the playpark would be “the largest of its kind” in the country.

And once completed, it will “boost” foot traffic and make the neighbourhood a “desirable” location for businesses to thrive.

He went on to remark that the council “plays a huge role in trying to boost the local economy,” citing the funds being offered to entice firms to relocate to Union Street.

However, in terms of Queens Links, he stated that it is a “challenge” for which they do not yet have a solution.”.

“I think operating within the cost-of-living crisis, people have less money to spend,” the economist says.

“Which is clearly having an impact on business.

“We expect that once the beach project is completed, some of those units will become more appealing for future business.

“Because we do hope that there will be additional footfall, and that therefore creates an additional customer base for businesses.”

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Seafront cafes remain busy — does the offering need to adapt?

Despite the closures at Queens Links, Mr McLellan noted that not all businesses on the beach are struggling.

“Every time I’ve been down the beach, I’ve always found the cafes to be doing quite well and being quite busy,” said the man.

“I guess it’s perhaps that the offering needs to adapt, but I’m conscious there are already quite a lot of cafes.”

Turkish eateries have also been successful in the neighbourhood.

The proprietor of Muzo’s Turkish Kitchen is investing £1 million to expand along the Esplanade.

Revamp creates a new opportunity for traders at Queens Links

Looking ahead, Mr McLellan believes food trucks have become an important element of the beach’s attraction and will remain so.

They have become a big attraction for the Fittie end of the beachfront.

Mr. McLellan believes that once the masterplan is completed, some traders may open permanent premises at Queens Links.

“Certainly, I think there could be an opportunity there for businesses,” he says.

“If all goes to plan and if we do see a big increase in footfall and folk really choosing to visit Aberdeen.”

It comes after we disclosed who owns the Queens Links development and how much businesses are paying for vacant units there.

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