Museum plan backed by business and community groups
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PLANS to reopen Caithness Horizons under a new name and management team have been welcomed by community and business groups.
The museum and arts facility in Thurso closed in February 2019 after encountering financial difficulties but is now to be rebranded as the North Coast Visitor Centre and operated by High Life Highland on behalf of Highland Council. The local authority and Dounreay Site Restoration Limited will each provide £75,000 revenue funding for an initial three-year period.
Alan McIvor, chairman of Thurso Heritage Society, is delighted the building is reopening. “It’s been sorely missed by the community, and with a fresh new team behind it and rebranding, I’m sure they can make it a success even in these challenging times.
“High Life Highland are the best people to take it on, they have experience managing museums, catering facilities, and archives.
“Both High Life Highland and the North Coast Visitor Centre are a custom fit for each other. We wish them well and look forward to seeing the doors opening for business.”
Trudy Morris, the chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: “Caithness Horizons has been at the heart of Thurso since it first opened in 2010, serving not just as a major draw for tourists but as a community hub, and news that plans for reopening are progressing is welcome.
“The funding package will be a key part in enabling High Life Highland to oversee its reopening and regeneration in the coming years.
“It is obviously too soon to say what the timescales for reopening might be in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and public health rightly has to take precedence.
“What is important is that plans are developed as soon as possible so that Horizons can reopen when it is safe to do so and, hopefully, capture this year’s tourism season.”
Ron Gunn, the chairman of Thurso Community Council, described the move as “a step forward” and said when the facility reopens it will be an asset to the town.
“It has been a long wait but it is good it will open again once the lockdown ends,” he said.
