Open day shows huge potential for empty store
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
EFFORTS to give one of Wick's most prominent buildings a new lease of life have taken another step forward.
An open day at the weekend at the former Original Factory Shop, which closed in August 2018, gave businesses, community groups and interested individuals a chance to see inside and consider potential future uses for the High Street building.
The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council is spearheading the bid to find a new purpose for the one-time Woolworths store. It is hoped multiple users will be able to divide up the space between them.
Initial suggestions have included a community arts hub with retail outlets for sales, or a shared venue for charities or groups.
Alan Jones Associates of Inverness is carrying out a feasibility study and options appraisal, funded through the SSE Beatrice Fund.
Community council secretary John Bogle said those attending Saturday’s open day were amazed at the scale of the empty building. It extends over three floors and an attic, covering a total footprint of some 8676 square feet.
All visitors on the day were encouraged to record their interest and around 30 left their contact details. The next step comes on Thursday (November 28) with formal follow-up sessions in the Assembly Rooms starting at 5.15pm for business interests and 6.30pm for community group or charity interests.
Everybody was amazed how much space there is – it’s really a huge building.
Mr Bogle said some interesting ideas had been put forward and anyone who was unable to attend on Saturday will be welcome at either of the follow-up sessions.
“Everybody was amazed how much space there is – it’s really a huge building,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll have gone away and thought about it.
“The proof will be on Thursday night if any of these ideas are followed up. We’ll hopefully get more feedback then.”
He added: “The building has a lot of potential. Realistically, no one single retailer is going to come in and take that over. If they were, they would have had it by now.
“So you’d be looking at multiple uses and whether it could be stripped down in some way, and the consultants will obviously look at that.
“If it’s split into smaller businesses, it helps with the rates because up to a certain turnover small businesses don’t pay rates.
“We are hopeful that some good ideas may come out of it, but it is a very big space.”
Meanwhile, the first of the community council's pre-Christmas indoor markets went ahead on Saturday in the foyer of Caithness House, the Highland Council building in Market Square.
Others will take place on December 7, 14 and 21, although not this Saturday because there will be outdoor stalls in conjunction with Wick Fun Day and the switch-on of the Christmas lights.
The festive markets will be open from 10am to 3pm each day. They follow on from the month-long trial run held in September.
Mr Bogle said: “It was very busy as usual on Saturday and the traders seemed to have quite a successful day.”
