Small business at risk as major Castlegate works curb customers
An independent café in Aberdeen's historic Castlegate has launched a public appeal for financial support after extensive redevelopment works outside its premises caused a severe drop in trade.
Soran Xurmale, who opened the Art Coffee Gallery just a year ago, says the building works and resulting access restrictions have left the café with far fewer visitors and mounting financial pressure. With the council's project expected to keep the area closed until the end of September next year, the business owner fears he may be forced to shut permanently.
"The footsteps that once brought life into this place have become quieter. The visitors who filled the space with conversations, laughter, and curiosity have become fewer and fewer,"
The owner has launched a GoFundMe campaign to try to safeguard the venue — which combines coffee service with gallery space — and appealed to regulars and the wider public for donations to keep it operating while the works continue.
Impact of the Castlegate transformation
Aberdeen City Council is undertaking a major transformation of the Castlegate area, describing the project as creating a new civic destination. While the scheme aims to improve the public realm in the long term, traders in and around the closure say the temporary loss of passing trade and reduced visitor access is hitting turnover.
- Location affected: Castlegate, Aberdeen city centre
- Expected closure of area: until end of September next year (council estimate)
- Business at risk: Art Coffee Gallery — opened one year ago
In public messages, the café owner described the emotional toll of seeing fewer customers and the practical difficulties of serving a community when footfall has dwindled. The fundraising plea asks for contributions of any size to help cover running costs while access to the area remains limited.
What this means for customers and residents
For those who use the Castlegate as a social or cultural space, the potential loss of a small gallery-café represents a reduction in local amenity and creative provision. For other traders nearby, the situation highlights the tension between long-term regeneration goals and short-term disruption to businesses.
| Issue | Current status |
|---|---|
| Castlegate access | Closed for major works until council estimate of September next year |
| Business viability | Art Coffee Gallery facing severe reduction in customers |
| Owner's response | Launched GoFundMe to try to remain open |
Readers wishing to support the café are advised to check the GoFundMe page and follow any updates from the owner. The council's published timetable indicates the area will remain closed while improvements are carried out, but traders and residents will be watching for measures to reduce the economic impact on independent businesses.
Further reporting will follow as the fundraiser progresses and if the city council or the business owner announces additional support measures or changes to access during the redevelopment works.
