A much needed shot in the arm for Forres

FORRES has received a positive shot in the arm this week with the news that the business sector has reaffirmed its confidence in the area by announcing two large investment projects which could boost the local economy by providing jobs.

First was the news that the Scottish Government is pumping £10 million into the Forres Enterprise Park, to go towards improved infrastructure, including roads and buildings, with a strong likelihood that one new employer will be moving into one of two new structures.

The other announcement came from developers Springfield Properties, who have announced their intention to apply for planning permission to build homes, shops and community facilities, including a dental surgery, on land on the outskirts of Forres.

The R3 site has been pegged out for many months, and the long-term plan for a large development is not new. However, the downturn in Moray’s economy on the back of the loss of the RAF from Kinloss resulted in a slump in property sales and developments.

What is new, however, is an air of optimism, spurred on by the fact that the Army 39 Engineer Regiment is set to move to Kinloss, hopefully bringing families and their spending power with them. Although the Army will be living in quarters, the assumption seems to be that other businesses will be coming to Forres, taking advantage of the skills base available among former servicemen who have been made redundant from the airforce. Let’s hope this optimism is well founded.

The news of a dental surgery must also be welcomed, as this is something that the ‘Gazette’ has campaigned for on the back of calls from the public for an improvement in dental provision. Watch this space.

On a slightly selfish note, there is an air of optimism im the ‘Gazette’ office this week as the paper celebrates the 175th anniversary of its first edition, published in 1837.

In these days of social media, 175 years is a long time for a local newspaper to survive, and therefore there is good reason to celebrate, but there is no room for complacency either.

There is a simple rule – like most local newspapers, we pride ourselves on trying to be at the heart of our local community, supporting you in issues that matter.

But times are tough, and newspaper readers are a little thinner on the ground than they used to be. At the ‘Gazette’ we strive to provide the best in local news, views and opinion to you as discerning readers, representing what is best about Forres – its people – and we appreciate our loyal readership.

Here’s to the future, for us and for Forres.