Buckie Harbour set for Crown Estate cash boost
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BUCKIE Harbour is set to receive electrical upgrades thanks to a funding package worth £86,000.
The cash, which has been sourced from the Crown Estate Coastal Community Fund, is part of a swathe of external funding secured by Moray Council for schemes across the region.
The cash will go towards improving economic sustainability.
News of the funding boost was welcomed by the town's three councillors, Sonya Warren, Neil McLennan and John Stuart.
Councillor Warren, who chairs the Buckie Harbour Advisory Committee, said: "The funding is very welcome as the improvement works and upgrades to the harbour have put pressure on the old electrics.
"It's fantastic to have facilities such as the ice plant to able enable the harbour to offer better facilities to all users."
Councillor McLennan commented: "Issues with electricity and lighting have been raised with me before; and so any progress in these areas is most welcome.
"Buckie Harbour is an important part of the areas economy and social fabric so it is vital we keep listening to harbour users and progressing their concerns expeditiously."
Councillor Stuart added: "It is great to see continued investment in our harbour here at Buckie.
"Sitting on economic development and infrastructure committee, I welcomed the agreement to allocate funding for the electrical upgrades at Buckie.
Councillors have also agreed to continue administering the Moray Gift Card scheme with a £26,000 allocation from a £45,000 investment return it has received from the Business Loans Scotland. More than 230 Moray businesses are accepting the Moray Gift Card which encourages consumers to shop local.
Since its launch in 2021, sales of gift cards have reached over £98,000. The balance of £19,000 from the investment return will be allocated to promotional incentives which target visitors. The council will work in partnership with Elgin BID, Business Gateway, Moray Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Moray Speyside.
The local authority's economic, development and infrastructure services committee on June 20 welcomed the success of applications to the Heritage and Place Programme for the 12-month development phase of the proposed £3.3 million Forres Conservation and Heritage Scheme.
The £86,000 development stage funding has come with thanks to Historic Environment Scotland (£33,000), the National Lottery Heritage Fund Players (£33,000), and UK Shared Prosperity Fund (£20,000).
The development phase will prepare applications to the same funders for the delivery phase 2024-2029, which if approved, will result in a £3.3 million investment programme and will help to deliver the Forres Town Centre Improvement Plan in terms of key building repairs, public realm improvements, shop front scheme, heritage interpretation and greening of the conservation area.
Committee chairman Councillor Marc Macrae said: “We want our local businesses to thrive and our residents and tourists to have good experiences, which is why this funding is so welcome.”
