Update on Peacock Visual Art’s position following the recent public consultation exercise on the future of Union Square Gardens, Aberdeen.

Many of you will already know about this, but I’m taking the opportunity to keep you all updated. I received the following from Peacock last week. Sad news I feel. – Ed.

Dear all,

As many of you will know Aberdeen City Council voted on Wednesday to proceed with Sir Ian Wood’s vision for a City Square in Union Terrace Gardens. We are clearly devastated that after working for nearly 5 years to provide a major new cultural facility for the City that the plans for the stunning Brisac Gonzalez scheme for the Gardens must now be abandoned.

The Peacock board spent Thursday evening discussing the severe implications that the abandonment of the arts centre has for Peacock as an organisation. Whilst we have made it clear that we cannot be part of the City Square proposal for a number of reasons including funding, timescale, architectural, environmental and public concern about the project we would like to assure you that Peacock???s Board will do its utmost to ensure that Peacock has a future after 36 years of providing world-class cultural provision for the North-east.

Many people have asked how they can help Peacock at this time and we would be immensely grateful if you could show your support by becoming a Friend of Peacock!
The funding raised through the Friends scheme will go straight into safeguarding the future of the organisation going forward.

Finally it is with great sadness that I have to report that following the City Council decision the board of Peacock Visual Arts has had to make me redundant. I was taken on to deliver the Brisac Gonzalez designed new arts centre for Union Terrace Gardens and now that that scheme has been forced to be abandoned following Aberdeen City Council’s decision my position can no longer be retained. I want to thank my colleagues at Peacock for being so supportive throughout my time here and to thank you all so much for your support and good will towards me on what has been an incredible journey.
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On behalf of the Peacock team I would like to thank all of you our friends and supporters who have been truly inspirational to all of us over this difficult period.

Elly and the Peacock Team