New initiative to help children get active

Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) and Global E&C are collaborating to launch a new initiative that provides free sports opportunities to local school pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Recognising that not all children have the same access to sports programmes, the launch of Energise has been developed to change that. The program will provide access to a wide range of sports and fitness activities, including swimming, athletics, rugby and football. It will be open to pupils from local schools who don’t typically have access to extra-curricular sport, with the goal of encouraging regular participation in physical activity.

Graham Morrison, Head of Sports at Aberdeen Sports Village, said: “We believe that sport plays such a vital role in the development of children and we want to ensure that all children have the opportunity to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits that sports provides. Our Energise initiative will provide free access to sports facilities, kit, equipment and coaching to pupils across schools in Aberdeen. We’re excited to see the positive impact that this initiative will have on the lives of these children and their communities.”

The initiative is supported by the national lottery and Aberdeen energy service provider, Global E&C.

Michael McIntyre is back on stage with his brand-new show MACNIFICENT! including a date at Aberdeen’s P&J Live on May 16, 2024. Much has happened in the five years since his last tour and Michael will be making mirth from the madness of it all.

Michael is the host of two of the BBC’s most successful entertainment shows, the BAFTA-winning Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and The Wheel, which he devised and also hosts for NBC in America. Michael McIntyre’s spot-on observational comedy and trademark mastery of turning everyday situations into masterclasses of human exasperation have struck a chord with millions of fans.

His previous tours have sold over four million tickets and broken box-office records around the world.

Kevin Coll

Aberdeen-based Bridge House Investments has announced renewed long-term leases with two key tenants, securing the future of a landmark city centre building.

Bridge House at 56-58 Bridge Street is set to undergo a quarter of a million-pound investment to renovate and modernise the premises.

The six-floor office building forms part of the Aberdeen Conservation Area.

The site is home to business and marine travel specialist ATPI and Solab, an IT services and software company. Both these firms have confirmed their commitment to the city centre by extending their for 10 years.

Kevin Coll, Managing Director, Solab, said: “Solab is a proud advocate for city centre businesses operations in Aberdeen and the central location works well for our entire team. Bridge House has excellent digital infrastructure and its location and access to parking has made it an ideal base from which to grow our business over the last three decades. We hope our continued investment helps attract other companies into the city centre to secure its future.”

MSPs have signed off new planning rules for Scotland which aim to help hit climate-change targets while cutting the use of cars.

The new framework will give priority to planning applications for renewable energy schemes including wind farms.

And it will seek to cut car trips and boost city centres by opposing out-of-town retail parks and drive-throughs. The aim is to create “20-minute neighbourhoods” where all services are within walking or cycling distance.

Planning Minister Tom Arthur said the changes would “help build a fairer, greener Scotland” and transform the economy for future generations.

Opposition parties said more should have been included to promote the development of new housing, but the framework was approved by 88 votes to 30.