Reopening plans for Caithness Horizons on hold due to pandemic
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PLANS to reopen Caithness Horizons have been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was confirmed this week.
It had been hoped to reopen the museum and gallery in Thurso in time for this tourist season but Covid-19 changed that.
Horizons closed in February last year with the loss of seven jobs after encountering financial difficulties. Since then discussions have taken place between Highland Council, which owns the building, and High Life Highland and other interested parties about getting it reopened.
High Life Highland delivers leisure services and community learning on behalf of the council and is due to run the facility.
Plans stalled when the virus struck, although discussions are continuing, according to the local authority.
However, it is understood the building has has not yet been handed over to High Life Highland, making it unlikely Horizons will be open soon.
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: "Since March, we have been focusing our services on the emergency response to Covid-19 and all other non-essential business was put on hold. The council is now progressing discussions with relevant stakeholders regarding Caithness Horizons, and will provide an update as soon as it can, but we are unable to provide timescales at present."
Thurso councillor Struan Mackie said: "With the reopening of the hospitality and tourism industry this week, traders and tourism businesses have been seeking answers on Horizons.
"High Life Highland was incredibly optimistic about the future of Horizons before the coronavirus pandemic and I think they still believe that there is a significant opportunity for a high-quality tourist facility serving the far north.
"If the facility can be opened safely, with the appropriate safeguards as instructed by the Scottish Government, I believe it would be a significant boost to Caithness and I would welcome any update from High Life Highland in respect to whether their reopening plans could begin in earnest."
Last year, the local authority provided funding of more than £400,000 to enable the facility to reopen. Councillors backed plans to provide £75,000 a year for three years and allocated capital investment of up to £204,000 for urgent building works.
