Open day for community groups and businesses at Wick's former Original Factory Shop
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AN open day is being held at the former Original Factory Shop in Wick town centre this weekend to give the public an insight into potential future uses of the building.
The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council recently appointed Alan Jones Associates of Inverness to carry out a feasibility study and options appraisal on the one-time Woolworths store in High Street. The study is being funded through the SSE Beatrice Fund.
The building closed some years ago and has lain empty ever since.
It extends over three floors and an attic, covering a total footprint of around 8676 square feet. Some of the building is open-plan, while other parts have been partitioned off into smaller areas which could be opened up into larger spaces.
The community council is now planning a "Super Saturday Session Open Day" in the premises to coincide with the indoor market taking place in nearby Caithness House.
The former Original Factory Shop will be open for inspection on Saturday, November 23, from 11am until 2pm, for any businesses – existing or potential – or community groups that might have an interest in a town centre presence in part of the property.
The property is on the market for lease/rent, but the owners may consider selling.
Some initial ideas include a community arts hub combining arts workers in action and retail outlets for sales, a shared venue for bringing together a number of charities or groups, providing low-cost business incubation units, or bunkhouse-type accommodation reflecting the increase in visitor numbers caused by the North Coast 500. The community council says the emphasis will be on not displacing any existing businesses but rather bringing new activities into the town centre.
I would encourage any existing or potential business or any voluntary group or charity to come along.
Community council secretary John Bogle said: "Depending on the interest expressed, it may be that if the predominant future use is for community benefit, funding may be available through grants to purchase the building.
"I would encourage any existing or potential business or any voluntary group or charity that might be interested in a town centre presence to come along to the former Original Factory Shop to see what potential there is for their business or group in a part of these substantial premises."
All visitors on the day will be encouraged to record their interest and a formal follow-up session will be held the following Thursday (November 28) at 5.15pm for business interests and 6.30pm for community group/charity interests in the Assembly Rooms, Wick.
Anyone else with an interest is welcome to attend either session.
For further information contact John Bogle, secretary of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, on 07778 567507 or Alan Jones Associates on 0771 882 8088.
As reported in October, the contract was awarded following the success of a trial series of indoor markets held by the community council on four Saturdays in September in the foyer of Caithness House.
Mr Bogle said at the time: “We are delighted to be working with Alan Jones Associates. The consultants are based in Inverness and have a lot of experience of working on similar types of projects throughout the Highlands.
“The potential revitalising of this building, plus the Sustrans work on improving High Street and Market Square, combined with Highland Council’s town centre regeneration efforts, will hopefully see a dramatic transformation of Wick town centre over the next few years."
Wick indoor markets to resume in run-up to Christmas
