Directly ahead of you, you’ll spot a modern, grey stone building with a big glass façade and bold white letters spelling out “Bon Accord” above the entrance-no need to squint, it’s hard to miss!
Welcome to the Bon Accord Centre! Imagine standing here in the early 1980s, when this spot was little more than a construction site echoing with the clang of steel and shovels biting the earth. It’s hard to picture now, with shoppers bustling in and out and the smell of fresh coffee and perfume drifting out from inside, but this shopping hub began its life in two parts. First, the St. Nicholas Shopping Centre opened its doors in 1985-making headlines not just for shops, but for the thousands of ancient coins unearthed during its construction! Picture a surprised worker holding up a muddy, clinking handful, not just stumbling upon loose change but around 7,000 coins worth thousands of pounds. Now, that’s what you call a bonus at work!
Fast-forward to 1990, and the neighboring Bon Accord Centre sprang to life. The two centres formed the beating retail heart of Aberdeen, eventually merging in the early 2000s into one massive, maze-like wonderland. Through the 80s and 90s, anyone strutting their stuff with shopping bags here was likely showing off finds from iconic stores like C&A, Woolworths, and the ever-so-chic Miss Selfridge, which opened just before the ink was dry on the original entrance. At one point, you could stroll from the serpentine Bon Accord side straight into the more angular, concrete-flavored St. Nicholas building, and on up to the urban rooftop plaza-a perfect viewpoint for a lunch break or a quick gossip about the latest fashion trend.
Speaking of shape, take a look around-the Bon Accord part is clever by design! Its curving form and huge glazed roof, domed 90 feet high, are meant to offer the best window displays, hiding surprises around every bend. Meanwhile, the straight-through, old-school architecture of the St. Nicholas side is still visible if you peek at the more concrete-heavy bits. Oh, and did you know there’s parking for over 1,700 cars? I reckon half the city could park here for Christmas shopping-if only they could find a space!
Now, let me take you on a journey through shopping history. As you walk the bright, modern halls today, imagine Aberdeen’s Lord Provost laying the first stone in 1983, with the sound of cameras snapping and reporters shouting questions. The centre opened in style, and its owners changed hands a few times-at one point, British Land paid a whopping £31 million for St. Nicholas, which sounds like enough to buy a lifetime supply of donuts and then some! The two-centre dream came full circle in the early 2000s with a management merger and a sleek new dual-brand identity. But brands come and go-remember Woolworths’ pick n’ mix, or the Disney Store’s glittering window displays? Today, you’ll find big names like Next and River Island, both of whom moved in with a bang, bringing the sort of excitement usually reserved for a rock concert (or a Boxing Day sale!).
Of course, there’s drama behind the scenes too-the bold renovation efforts, new entrances opening with fanfare, and a food court showdown that ended with Bon Appetit closing only to reopen later as Food Terrace, still serving up tasty bites to fuel even the most dedicated shoppers. The pandemic hit hard, closing over twenty shops and leaving the centre’s future uncertain. But never fear! In true Aberdeen spirit, the centre was snapped up by new owners in 2023-at a bargain price, too. And the future’s bright: the council approved plans for a cinema right inside the centre, meaning you might soon grab popcorn and watch the latest blockbuster, mere steps from your shopping bags.
So, step beneath that gleaming glass sign, imagine all the feet that have hurried through before you, and listen close-you might just hear the whispers of Aberdeen’s retail adventures echoing through the halls. After all, in the ever-changing world of shopping, there’s never a dull moment at Bon Accord!
