Wick town regeneration plan outlined
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AN ambitious plan has been outlined by four Wick councillors that seeks to "breathe new life" into the town centre.
More than 50 invited retailers and business owners attended a presentation and discussion session in Wick Town Hall on Tuesday evening. At the heart of it was a new vision of the town that would tackle derelict and eyesore buildings, deliver flagship development and improve shop façades.
Speaking on behalf of all four Wick and East Caithness councillors, Nicola Sinclair said: ‘We’ve done extensive groundwork and research into town centre regeneration since our election nearly two years ago, and the successful initiatives are the ones that try to do things differently."
Councillor Nicola Sinclair had previously talked about "breathing new life into the tired town centre of Wick" and Tuesday's meeting was a chance for her and fellow councillors Raymond Bremner, Andrew Sinclair and Willie Mackay to unveil their three-part draft strategy for regeneration.
"We won’t turn the town centre around by hoping for a big new retail chain, nor should we. The ideas that work re-imagine the high street and reclaim it as the heart of the community. It should be an area that people want to visit, to meet up, and that reflects the unique character and history of the town," Councillor Nicola Sinclair said.
In among a slideshow display of images showing derelict buildings and other eyesores was a vibrant and colourful snapshot of Rotherham High Street showing how a town centre can be brought back to life through "imaginative planning initiatives".
"Currently I feel that Wick town centre is a no-man’s land between our beautiful riverside and the now-vibrant harbour. We need to give it its own distinct identity and style, which gives visitors and locals a warm welcome and reflects our proud maritime and civic history," Councillor Nicola Sinclair said.
"We have an incredible voluntary sector here and elected members are working across party lines to find a way to make this happen. In these financial times we need to get creative, but we genuinely believe it can be done, if we all work together.
"Tonight’s meeting was a key first step in achieving that and I want to thank the attendees for taking the time and for engaging with us so positively."
In the detailed presentation, the councillors outlined work undertaken to date, including four town centre tours, hundreds of images, a mapping exercise, monthly meetings with council regeneration and planning officers, and meetings with key stakeholders. The councillors identified various funding streams – including council investment – and have an application pending for a town centre design project.
As a result of the preparatory work, a three-pronged regeneration strategy was identified, including:
- A focus on priority derelict buildings, and a preferred way forward agreed with key owners
- Exploration of a flagship development to anchor the regeneration and drive footfall
- Community-led proposals for an indoor market on the High Street will be taken forward by an options appraisal, with funding decision pending.
The plan focused on physical regeneration of the town centre, particularly the Market Square, and includes better signage, attractive public gathering spaces, more trees and flowers, a shop-front improvement grant scheme and a coherent visual identity that reflects Wick’s character and history.
Following the presentation, councillors invited those attending to discuss their priorities for action and development, and provide feedback to the proposal. The wide-ranging and constructive discussion covered traffic management, parking and a pedestrianised zone; lack of footfall and vibrancy due to online and out-of-town competition; high number of derelict buildings and empty retail units; a desire to capitalise on the NC500 and market the town to tourists; and a need for targeting of council resources to improve the streetscape, with local decision-making being a key opportunity to deliver this.
Councillors will now arrange for engagement with key stakeholders in the community before broadening out to wider public discussion and a formal launch later in the summer. They will also continue to develop plans internally by securing buy-in from key council officers and departments, and will facilitate focused follow-up workshops for retailers on subjects such as business rates and traffic management. The regeneration strategy itself will be driven by a development trust led by the community and businesses, with support from council.
