Wick regeneration meetings announced

PLANS for town centre regeneration in Wick are taking another step forward with the announcement of further meetings.

In the first round of engagement at Wick Town Hall last month, local Highland councillors revealed ambitious plans to breath life into the town centre. The four local councillors presented a wide-ranging regeneration blueprint to local business owners and traders and showed proposals that included creating new signage, attractive public gathering spaces, more trees and flowers, shop-front improvements and "a coherent visual identity that reflects Wick’s character and history".

In a joint statement this week they said: "We promised to follow up on several key actions raised at our initial meeting with town centre businesses over Easter. It was clear that more complex issues such as traffic management and business rates needed further exploration and some expert advice from the council, so we have set up what we hope will be a really useful and informative workshop."

The councillors believe that the exchange of ideas should help reveal "what’s possible, and what is not".

They say: "At the same time, we are keen to get a structure in place to take some of our plans forward, so we are inviting the community to join us for a meeting next month. We recognise the challenge we are facing in our town centre and we are committed to making a positive change, so we’re calling on anyone who is willing to roll up their sleeves and work with us to come along and help us get started.

"We’re grateful to everyone who has engaged with us so far, and the words of support we have received."

Town centre retailers are invited to join the councillors along with Highland Council officers for a workshop exploring some of the key themes identified during the first round of engagement. More than 50 retailers and businesses attended this initial meeting, where there was a constructive discussion of issues affecting the town centre and hopes for its future.

Two key themes that emerged were that of traffic management and business rates. To that end, the Wick councillors have organised a focused two-part workshop to explore these issues in more detail, with officers present to answer questions. It will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, May 28, in the Norseman Hotel.

Meanwhile, councillors have also set a date for a meeting with wider stakeholders, community groups and the general public on Monday, June 10, at 7.30pm in Mackays Hotel. It will provide an opportunity for councillors to share their draft regeneration plans while seeking feedback and ideas from the community.

It is hoped that, with public support, a charitable organisation can then be formed with membership drawn from key stakeholder groups, community representatives and town centre businesses. Both meetings will be further advertised on social media and in posters around town and the councillors are aiming for a formal launch in the summer.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.