ABERDEEN Inspired, the city centre’s Business Improvement District, has welcomed a new and vital member to its team.
Danuta Dobrzanska joins the organisation as Business Engagement and Development Manager, after working for the past seven years in the hospitality industry in the Granite City.
She is now looking forward to working with and supporting almost 700 BID levy payers, in sectors ranging from retail to hospitality, business to arts and culture, while Aberdeen Inspired strives to attract, sustain and boost investment to help regenerate the heart of the city.
“Being part of the hospitality business in the city for nearly seven years, I am very passionate about making sure everyone succeeds and that Aberdeen is a vibrant, colourful and amazing place to be,” said Danuta, who was latterly sales manager for Revolucion de Cuba.
“If we all succeed, then individual businesses will be more successful for it, so I am looking forward to engaging with as many businesses as possible to help them in all the ways Aberdeen Inspired can offer.”
Danuta will now be Aberdeen Inspired’s main point of contact between member businesses and key stakeholders, while offering others the chance to become voluntary levy payers to enjoy the benefits of membership. It’s a challenge she said she would relish.
“Communication will be my utmost priority. Coming from a hospitality background, I know if we don’t speak to each other, if we don’t all know what’s happening and we are not on the same page, then it can be a disaster,” said Danuta.
“We don’t want that, especially at this time in Aberdeen when there are a lot of exciting things, but also a lot of difficult things – such as the construction of the new market and the changes to Union Street Central. We need to make sure that communication lines are open both ways.
“I’m hoping to be the person that can provide answers. And if I can’t provide answers then I know the person to ask, so that I can make sure whatever the question is, the answer is provided.”
Danuta is also looking forward to the many projects Aberdeen Inspired offers in the city, such as Aberdeen Restaurant Week, the Umbrella Project, Aberdeen Gift Card and – her personal favourite – Nuart Aberdeen.
“We also have the Tall Ships coming next July, which is an amazing opportunity for all the businesses in Aberdeen, to be seen by the whole world and to be talked about,” she said.
“We also have to make sure that Aberdeen doesn’t just end at Union Street Central. We have the West End, we have George Street and other areas that definitely need to be included so they feel like they are part of the whole”
And she has a vital message for city centre businesses as she settles into her role as Business Engagement and Development Manager.
“Stay positive. Coming from hospitality, I know it can be difficult, but if we hold on to what’s wrong, we’re never going to move forward. So, we must look to the future, look for opportunities and create those opportunities,” she said.
“If you have an idea, shout about it, tell us about it so we can help it come through. Maybe it will be the next brilliant thing that’s going to put you on the map.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said he was delighted that Danuta has joined the Business Improvement District’s team.
“Danuta has unbridled enthusiasm, backed by a wealth of experience in a key sector for the city, is brimming with ideas and, above all else, has a passion and love for Aberdeen that is simply infectious,” he said.
“I have no doubt she will not just be a major asset for Aberdeen, but for the city centre helping our existing levy payers and businesses to thrive and grow and making the Granite City an attractive place to invest, to work, and to play.”
