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Wick's Heart to seek ideas from the public to help transform town centre





Local illustrator Hannah Cambridge (left) and Jennifer Richard, who is one of three new directors of the local development trust Wick's Heart. Picture: Alan Hendry
Local illustrator Hannah Cambridge (left) and Jennifer Richard, who is one of three new directors of the local development trust Wick's Heart. Picture: Alan Hendry

Wick residents will be asked to come forward with ideas to help transform the town centre as local regeneration efforts gather pace.

The local development trust, Wick’s Heart, says it realises the community is keen to see “quick progress” and revealed that discussions are taking place with a local business about the purchase of 126 High Street, the site of the former Sloans shop.

It and another derelict building at 30 High Street – formerly the Pavilion cinema and Dominoes nightclub – were demolished last year after becoming notorious eyesores.

Meanwhile, Wick’s Heart has unveiled a large-scale map created by local illustrator Hannah Cambridge featuring many of the main buildings, historic landmarks and coastal features of the town and surrounding area. It has been installed on the fencing around the demolished site of 30 High Street to brighten up the area until it is sold or developed.

Wick’s Heart took ownership of the site in June 2021, after the former cinema and nightclub had been bought and demolished by agents acting on behalf of Highland Council.

Hannah Cambridge with her illustrated map at 30 High Street. Picture: Alan Hendry
Hannah Cambridge with her illustrated map at 30 High Street. Picture: Alan Hendry

As part of the town centre regeneration plan for Wick, local councillors secured Scottish Government support through the Town Centre Fund and Vacant and Derelict Land Fund to flatten 30 and 126 High Street and transfer the sites into community ownership.

The discussions with a local business about the purchase of 126 High Street are said to be at an advanced stage. An announcement will be made as soon as the details are agreed, and Wick’s Heart has specified in the terms of sale that development must take place immediately to improve the area.

For 30 High Street, Wick’s Heart will be arranging a survey to ask local people what they would like to see. The site is valued at £50,000 and Wick’s Heart could market the area for sale to a private buyer, or develop the site itself for a sustainable community purpose.

Details of how to take part in the survey will be issued soon.

Alongside these two properties, Wick’s Heart launched a Love Local campaign and is working with other community groups including the community council on plans for a town centre clean-up.

Wick’s Heart has welcomed three new directors – Katrina MacNab, former chief executive officer of Pulteneytown People’s Project; Beverley Miller, owner of Simply Bliss Bridal Boutique in High Street; and Jennifer Richard, from the Heat Centre in Burn Street.

The trust held its annual general meeting by Zoom on Thursday night.

Wick’s Heart says an application to register as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) is in development with support from Alistair Jack of Caithness Voluntary Group. The trust also says it is grateful for the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise in developing its strategy and business plan.

Wick’s Heart chairman Jonathan Miller said: “We’ve only been properly up and running for a short while and have had the two High Street sites for just a few weeks. However, we know the community wants to see quick progress and we’re all working hard to get results for the town.

"We’re delighted to welcome three new directors and also want to thank BBM Solicitors for undertaking the conveyancing work free of charge.

“It’s important that we have good conversations with local retailers and the public so we’d love to hear from people with their ideas and ideally their help to transform Wick town centre.”

Hannah Cambridge has captured Wick’s most prominent public buildings as well as statues, castles and outdoor swimming pools in her large-format illustrated map on display at the former cinema and nightclub site at the western end of High Street.

The piece was created digitally, based on separate drawings, inspired by a watercolour technique. It was produced at what Miss Cambridge (27) calls a “crazy high DPI [dots per inch]” to ensure the highest possible definition when enlarged.

“Everything was drawn separately and I brought it all in together,” she said. “I had to ratio it all the way down. It ended up only being probably about A4 size, around those dimensions, but scaled up to what it is now.”

Born in Northern Ireland, Miss Cambridge lived in England for several years and before moving to Scotland.

She has done workshops for Lyth Arts Centre and her online shop can be found at www.hannahcambridge.co.uk

Miss Cambridge says her favourite part of the map is the Pilot House, above the harbour, because of its distinctive roof. “It was fun to do the roof. It had a nice lighting effect on it,” she said.

She added: “I live here so it's nice to do something for Wick.”


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