RUSSELL BORTHWICK

Aberdeen’s city centre masterplan was unanimously approved last June by the city’s council.

This was a pivotal moment, heralding the new vision that will help write the next chapter in the Aberdeen success story.

Our city centre has a vital role to play in our regional economy, but research shows it has acted as a barrier to business growth, investment and tourism.

We need a city that is the economic hub of – as well as a gateway to - a fantastic and prosperous region.

Now, almost a year on from the original decision, our local economy is at a crossroads and the clock is ticking.

On May 11, a council meeting discussed the pedestrianisation of a main thoroughfare which is the first key decision on the detail of the masterplan which promises “streets for people” and “street life and events”.

This is a 25-year plan, but we are playing catch-up.

Other city regions in the UK without the economic benefits we enjoy here have pushed ahead, constructing iconic buildings, reinventing their city centres and developing new business sectors.

I spoke to the assembled councillors at the meeting, reflecting the opinion of businesses in the region and I’m not sure that this differs greatly from that of every Aberdonian.

Everyone agrees that we need to modernise and reinvent the city centre and that the masterplan is the only route forward.

We need to accept that there will be individual elements that do not meet with universal approval but the big picture must triumph over the minutiae.

Talking to outsiders, there is a sense that this area is becoming infamous for its complacency, inertia and “glass half-empty” outlook with too many disparate forces pulling in different directions.

Strong foundations are in place but we are far from the finished article.

To become that, we need the confidence, ambition, strong leadership and brave decision-making that will deliver the plan and define our future.

We want people and organisations to deliver investment, innovation and jobs here, so let’s not make this seem unattractive or too much bother for them or they will go elsewhere.

We must embrace change, instead of resisting it, to enable us to diversify and grow our economy.

Aberdeenshire councillors demonstrated this last month by supporting the £80million Jack Nicklaus Ury golf course development against the recommendation of planners, and their colleagues in the city have the chance to send out a similar bold message.

Following their recent meeting, the council has announced a short consultation period and plans to make a decision at its June meeting.

The masterplan has already been the subject of extensive public consultation, we need to move forward with the plan, and we need to do so now.

Doing nothing is not an option.

This is already a great place to live, work, study, visit, invest and do business.

It is everyone’s responsibility - politicians, businesses and all Aberdonians - to pull together to make it even better.

Russell Borthwick is chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce