For more than five years, an iconic building in the heart of Aberdeen has sat empty. Once a place of learning and work, 111 Gallowgate has been closed, waiting for a new purpose. Now, thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers, it is being brought back to life as a space where people can learn new skills, explore ideas, and change their futures.

Aberdeen-based charity Code The City, which has spent the last decade helping people use technology and data to solve real-world problems, is turning the century old building into The Soap Factory, a hub for learning, collaboration, and opportunity.

The building’s name honours its past as the birthplace of Ogston and Tennant’s soap and candle manufacturing, a company that once played a major role in Aberdeen’s industry. Just as the original factory provided work and opportunity, The Soap Factory will now offer a new kind of resource: knowledge, skills, and innovation to help people build better futures.

For some time, home to the Waldorf School and later a serviced office space, The Soap Factory will undergo a major refurbishment to make it a modern centre for education, technology, and business. It will serve as a coding academy, event venue, and flexible workspace, helping people in Aberdeen develop digital skills, grow businesses, and build careers in tech. A space to learn, grow, and belong.

Aberdeen is full of potential, but many people are being left behind.

• Only 88 percent of school leavers in deprived areas go on to further education or employment. The cost of school uniforms alone can be a barrier to education (Community Planning Aberdeen, 2023).
• Tech jobs are growing fast, but there aren’t enough people with the right skills. Scotland is expected to see a 20 percent increase in digital job vacancies, yet many feel locked out of these opportunities (Skills Development Scotland, 2023).
• AI, automation, and data are changing the workplace. By 2027, 80 percent of engineers will need to upskill to keep up with new technology (Gartner).

The Soap Factory is a response to these challenges. It will be a place where anyone no matter their experience, qualifications, or background can learn, explore, and create.

Ian Watt, chair of Code The City, said:

“This is more than a building. It’s about giving people a chance. A chance to build confidence, gain new skills, and make sure Aberdeen keeps up with the digital world.”

For years, Code The City has worked from borrowed spaces, bringing people together to tackle real-world problems, from improving public transport to helping families compare school uniform costs. But without a permanent home, its impact was always limited.

“We’ve been running events and digital projects for years, but now we finally have a space to call our own,” Watt continued. “This is our chance to do something bigger, to build something lasting.”

Launching the Code the City Coding Academy

A major part of The Soap Factory will be the ‘Code Academy’, a new initiative to help young people build real-world tech skills.

This is not just another coding course. It is about giving young people hands-on experience, real projects, and the chance to turn ideas into solutions.

• More than just coding: Young people will learn how to build products, design AI tools, develop software, and take ideas from concept to reality.
• More than just education: They will gain practical experience in teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving, skills needed in every industry.
• More than just skills: This is about opening doors. Many young people don’t see a place for themselves in tech, this initiative will help change that.

“Young people learn best by doing,” said Code the City’s Trustee and Coding Academy Lead, Arrash Nekonam. “That’s why our academy is focused on hands-on learning. Students won’t just follow tutorials, they will create, build, and deliver solutions that make a difference.”

The Code Academy will provide structured learning on everything from coding and AI to full-stack development and product design, helping young people gain real experience and prepare for careers in Scotland’s growing tech industry.

Thanks to a generous £4,000 grant from the Guildry and Mortifications Fund, the academy will specifically focus on supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Aberdeen. The funding was secured with the support of Sylvia Halkerston, Lord Dean of Guild of the Burgesses of Guild of the City and Royal Burgh of Aberdeen, and Garry Stevens, Clerk to the Burgesses.

Sylvia Halkerston said: “The Burgesses of Guild are delighted to support an initiative by Code the City that will deliver evening classes on introductory coding, specifically focused on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. This will enable the young people engaged to access and achieve skills which would otherwise have been beyond their reach and enable the successful participants to attain their aspirational goals.

This is in keeping with the aims and objectives of the Burgesses of Guild that no young person should be inhibited or prohibited from following an academic or vocational career pathway because of their financial circumstances.”

“We are incredibly grateful for this support and grant, but to turn this vision into reality for more young people, we need your help. Businesses, volunteers, and the wider community can play a vital role in making tech education accessible to those who need it most. By supporting this cause you can help shape the future of the next generation.” Added Arrash Nekonam.

“We’ve been running events and digital projects for years, but now we finally have a space to call our own. This is our chance to do something bigger, to build something lasting.”

More than a technology hub, a place for people

The Soap Factory isn’t just for coders. It’s for anyone who wants to learn, connect, and be part of something meaningful. Whether you work in tech, education, business, or simply want to explore new ideas, this space is for you.

The space will:

• Offer training and workshops on AI, coding, and open data.
• Provide flexible work and event spaces for collaboration.
• Support young people and jobseekers looking to build digital skills.
• Bring businesses, researchers, and the public together to tackle local challenges.

Code The City is inviting businesses, individuals, and organisations to be part of this journey, whether by supporting the refurbishment, becoming a corporate sponsor, joining events, or volunteering to share skills and mentor others.

How you can help

Businesses & sponsors

• Support a student or a training programme to help make tech education accessible.
• Provide resources like software, laptops, and hosting services.
• Mentor students and help them gain real-world experience.

Tech professionals & volunteers

• Mentor a project team and help students bring their ideas to life.
• Run a workshop on AI, cybersecurity, UX, or another tech field.
• Provide feedback on student projects and help them develop their skills.

Parents & schools

• We are putting the final touches on the admission routes for Academy and will soon launch the sign-up process. If you’d like to be among the first to receive details, send us an email at academy@codethecity.org, and we will ensure you are kept informed.

By supporting Code The City Academy, you’re not just helping young people learn tech, you’re helping them develop confidence, creativity, and skills for the future.

Get involved

Want to be part of this movement? Get in touch: https://codethecity.org/contact/

Together, we can create something that changes lives.