Latest news with #P&JLive
Press and Journal
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Gallery: Peter Kay fans turn out for sold-out comedy show at P&J Live
Funnyman Peter Kay entertained a sold-out P&J Live when he brought his latest comedy show to Aberdeen. Fans travelled to the Granite City for the most northernly stops on the Better Late Than Never (Again) tour over the past two nights. There was much anticipation for the comedian's Aberdeen dates – marking his debut at the arena. And he did not disappoint. Laughter was ever present throughout the two-act show which featured many throwbacks to his classic stand-up routines. As to be expected from Kay, he combined observational comedy with 'nostalgia and naughtiness', much to the delight of the crowd. The Bolton funnyman will return to P&J Live to do it all over again in March next year.
Press and Journal
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Press and Journal
Is Rhylie, 5, from Alford the UK's 'youngest lorry driver'?
Nothing makes Rhylie Gray happier than when he's cruising around in his wee lorry with the George Ezra song 'Green Green Grass' blaring through the speakers. With his very own 'driver's licence' and an aptitude for reverse parking, five-year-old Rhylie may just be the youngest lorry driver in the country. Well, at least for mini-lorries. 'I love lorries because they're really big,' says Rhylie, who attends Alford Primary School. 'It feels good when I'm driving my lorry and I like going fast. 'I want to be a lorry driver when I grow up.' Little Rhylie's big passion for lorries came from his beloved grandad Alan Gray who has been a lorry driver with Harbro in Turriff for the past 10 years. And to see his grandson follow in his footsteps makes Alan's heart sing. 'Since Rhylie has been born he has been around my lorry so he's taken an interest in Harbro and in lorries,' says Alan, 61, who lives in Inverurie. 'We took him to Truckfest in Edinburgh one year and he got a shot of a wee lorry. 'He loved it so I bought him a wee lorry and a trailer. 'Rhylie wanted the lorry to be the same as mine so we got the Harbro writing on it and my son's friend did the wiring so it's got lights and runs on a battery.' Alan is now in the process of making Rhylie a curtain side trailer. 'Rhylie certainly looks after his lorry,' says Alan. 'He respects his lorry as he cleans it the same way I would clean my lorry. 'He's very protective of his lorry and he's wary about letting anyone use it.' Rhylie's dad Michael Gray, who lives in Aberdeen with his partner Melanie Lloyd, is thrilled that his son has an interest in lorries. 'He absolutely loves lorries,' says Michael. 'Every time he goes to grandad's house he just wants to go in his lorry or see grandad's lorry. 'He always goes on about Harbro which is the firm my dad works for so my dad spoke to the guy who does all the sign writing for the lorries at Harbro and he got Harbro written on the side of his lorry.' As well as having the technical skills of a lorry driver, Michael says Rhylie, who displayed his lorry at the Grampian Truck Show recently, also has the personality too. 'He is incredible and he's absolutely hilarious – I wouldn't change him for the world,' says Michael. Equally as proud of Rhylie is his mum Beth Jolly who lives in Alford. 'Rhylie loves his lorry and Harbro,' says Beth. 'Everywhere we go he tells people about his lorry, he's so proud of it. 'It's great for a young boy of his age to be so enthusiastic and passionate about the lorry and about his trailer. 'It's a good thing for the lorry industry.' If you enjoyed this story, you may also like: Gallery: Grampian Truck show 2025 rolled into Aberdeen P&J Live
Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
Is there a tourism boom in Aberdeen and north-east?
Aberdeen and the north-east experienced a tourism boom last year as the economic impact from visitors reached £1.27 billion. The new report from Global Tourism Solutions shows the region attracted almost 3.7 million staying visitors in 2024, up 16.9% on 2023. Last year marked the first full operational year of the new South Harbour cruise ship season at Port of Aberdeen, while Aberdeen Airport has reported a rise in tourists. It was also a record-breaking season for the National Trust for Scotland with more than 661,000 visitors across its venues. We investigated what's behind the growing appeal of the area – and if it will continue into 2025? Port of Aberdeen described 2024 as 'exciting' as it marked the first full operational cruise season at the harbour. It saw the arrival of the impressive 950ft Costa Favolosa, the largest ship ever to dock in the Granite City. More than 24,000 passengers and crew arrived in Aberdeen this season, each greeted by VisitAberdeenshire's 'meet and greet' team. It helped lead the UK's oldest business reach a record turnover of £50.7 million for the first time in its 900 year history. The number of ships expected to dock in South Harbour is also set to reach up to 70 – an increase from 49 recorded this year. Bob Sanguinetti, Port of Aberdeen chief executive, said: 'The expansion of Port of Aberdeen, coupled with CruiseAberdeenshire's incredible efforts to market the city and shire, is delivering outstanding results as we continue to deliver year on year growth in cruise calls. 'This landmark season demonstrates Aberdeen is growing as a premier destination for international cruise lines, which brings tremendous economic benefits to the region. 'We look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of guests to the port this year.' Aberdeen International Airport saw passengers numbers hit 2.34 million last year an increase from 2.3m in 2023. AGS Airports recently revealed plans to invest £350 million across the next five years with Aberdeen set to benefit from investment in its airfield infrastructure. A spokesman for Aberdeen International Airport said: 'Strong air connectivity and a successful tourism sector go hand-in-hand. 'Together with our wider city and regional partners we are working to secure routes that will help attract even more domestic and international visitors to the north east.' P&J Live, part of the Teca campus in Aberdeen, has also proved to be a crowd puller. The venue, which replaced the Aberdeen Exhibition Conference and Centre, opened in 2019. The £400m Teca development also includes two hotels – the adjoining Hilton with 200 bedrooms and Aloft Hotel with 150 bedrooms. Rob Wicks, P&J Live managing director, said: 'It's great to see the continued growth of the region's visitor economy again this year as we strive to attract more visitors to the north-east. 'In the entertainment sector, we saw growth in ticket sales of 31%, and we are on track for a similar scale increase in 2025. 'The Rogue Invitational attracted 15,000 visitors from 39 countries and a 700 strong contingent of operations staff, athletes, coaches, volunteers, vendors, and sponsors to the city and generated estimated visitor spend of £3.9 million to the local economy. 'Last October the venue delivered five sold-out performances of Les Misérables, totalling some 25,000 tickets. This was the venue's first big theatre production and a great success. 'With SPE Offshore Europe and immersive exhibits such as Beyond Van Gogh still to come in 2025 – along with the much-anticipated Tall Ships event in the harbour and city centre – I expect the event sector will help to deliver a bumper year for the regional economy.' The National Trust for Scotland confirmed visitor numbers for 2024 exceeded 2023 More than 661,000 people visited the 11 NTS locations throughout the north-east in 2024. It is the second time in its 94-year history that the charity exceeded 500,000 visitors. Figures are expected to be more than 700,000 in 2025. Among the most popular destinations was Craigievar Castle and Fyvie Castle. Iain Hawkins, National Trust for Scotland's north-east regional director, said: 'It was a record-breaking year for the National Trust for Scotland across the country and in our region, with an increase in 45,000 visitors in the north east. 'Since 2023, the Trust's north east properties have increased by 181,000 visitors, levels of visitor growth that we have never experienced before. 'These amazing numbers were supported by the reopening of Craigievar Castle, a new natural playpark at Drum Castle, and events like 1644 – Travel back in Time at Fyvie Castle. 'This year, we're looking forward to breaking more records and welcoming over 700,000 visitors to our places in the region.' In the past year Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has won more than £59m worth of conference business. Between April 2024 and March 2025, 29 conferences were successfully bid for and won against tough UK and international competition thanks to Aberdeen Convention Bureau and P&J Live along with the University of Aberdeen. As a result, 33,770 conference delegates are expected to travel to the area between now and 2030, equaling 96,550 room nights across the region. Laura Wilson, Convention Bureau head, said: 'Our region is a world-class events destination, offering an exceptional experience for event planners and attendees. 'The formidable combination of academic achievements, two universities, private sector infrastructure and continued investment, puts the region in a strong position with organisers when compared to competitor cities.' The tourism sector employed 11,400 full-time people in 2024, a 1.5% increase on 2023. Day visitors also increased with Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire welcoming more than 2.59m visitors, up 2.8% on 2023. Among the other encouraging figures was £232m was spent on accommodation within the region, down 1% on 2023, £193m on food and drink an increase of 3% on 2023 and £240m was spent on transport, up 4.1% on 2023. The economic impact report's findings are based on hotel occupancy levels and data from festivals, events and attractions. Chris Foy, VisitAberdeenshire chief executive, said: 'The growth in visits is a clear indication that the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is becoming an established destination for both leisure and conference visits. 'Our mission remains to attract more visitor who stay longer, spend more, and leave happier.' Jennifer Craw, Opportunity North East (ONE) chief executive, said: 'These figures reflect the positive momentum in the region's vital tourism sector, driven by the ambition and dedication of the people who work in the industry. 'The long-term focus on the sector's growth, backed with action and investment, is paying dividends with more people choosing to visit and stay to enjoy the outstanding experiences on offer across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.'
Press and Journal
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
GALLERY: Gary Barlow 'The Songbook Tour' at the P&J Live, 2025
Fans were out in force as Gary Barlow: The Songbook Tour took place at the P&J Live on Saturday, May 24. The show celebrated Gary Barlow's incredible career, featuring hit songs from his Take That days through to his successful solo work. Success that has seen him win eight BRIT awards and sell over 45 million records. Barlow performed his biggest hits to a loyal crowd, many of whom have followed his career from the very beginning. It was a nostalgic and exciting night to remember for all fans, with Barlow putting on an unforgettable performance.
Press and Journal
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Gary Barlow at P&J Live: A Million Love Songs Later... the Take That star's 'still got it'
The closest I had ever come to Gary Barlow before last night's concert at P&J Live, was on the 400 posters covering every inch of my best friend's bedroom wall in the 90s. I've never managed to get tickets to a Take That concert, and despite sharing the same birthday as Jason Orange, which for a brief period in 1994 when I was obsessed with Mystic Meg made me feel quite special, I had yet to experience Mr B live. Well, I can't lie – it was absolutely brilliant. Teenage Lindsay was in her element. And middle-aged Lindsay, though an absolute newbie, was no less impressed. Accompanied by my dancing mother, who may as well have been on castors, I wasn't sure what to expect from a show covering three decades of music. Compared to much-publicised mega productions by Take That, it was clear from the outset that seeing the Songbook Tour show would be different. When the curtain lifted, a sequin-jacket wearing Barlow went straight into Open Road, led from his piano, with a swing-band set up around him. A backdrop of choreographed lighting, reacting to the music, was the only frill in this otherwise stripped-back show. But as was abundantly clear from the first bar, his pitch-perfect vocals need no gimmicks to showcase his extraordinary talent. The largely female audience waited not a single moment to relive their youth. On their feet and responding to every Barlow body gesture like he was conducting an adherent cult, it was clear that I may have been the only person in the arena not versed in GB etiquette. That said, it didn't stop me enjoying every second of the show. He jumped between the decades and styles with a swing version of Sure to a Mumford and Sons-esque Let Me Go. Then into a classic version – complete with perfect sax and flawless vocals – of A Million Love Songs. This only served to showcase Gary's undisputable talent. Oh, and a heap of teenage heartbreak memories too. Up tempo – he nailed it. Slow and pure – wow. Nae, wow-wee. And then, *cue screaming women by the thousand* – his dance routine to Pray. The self-deprecating Mr B may have joked: 'See, I've still got it', but nobody there would have disputed that. Looking so like his much younger self ala Do What You Like (okay, so he was fully clothed, and there was way less baby oil), I had to twice Google how old he is. Fifty-four years old. Not gonna lie, my 45-year-old knees were creaking just swaying alongside him and his band. Speaking of which – hats off to the trombone player, saxophonist and bassist who bopped along with ferocity all the night long. Superb energy and non-stop entertainment. His singers, musical director and wider band were no less phenomenal. His quip about being 'heavily rehearsed' was surely more fact than fiction. High-energy performances, stunning musicality, and no break? INSANE. My personal highlights were Relight My Fire, his new country style tune 'If There's Not a Song About It' and Never Forget, in the finale. Yes Mr B, it may have taken me 30 years to get to see you live, but I'm very glad I got there in the end. Brilliant night made all the more memorable by being there with my now-hoarse mum.
