Appointment will advance Banff and Macduff fund project
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A key appointment has progressed a project aimed at promoting local businesses and tourism across the towns of Banff and Macduff.
Vivien Rae has been appointed to the new role of marketing manager for the Banff and Macduff Phoenix Fund project.
The initiative's main aim is to develop a website and app for the two towns, to showcase everything local residents and tourists need to know about the communities.
Ms Rae, a marketing and PR professional and owner of Macduff-based Evoke Marketing, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked with a wide range of small and medium-sized enterprises across various industries in the north-east and with organisations throughout the tourism sector.
She said: “I am passionate about the local area, shopping local and attracting tourism, so am very much looking forward to bringing these elements together to provide a new digital resource for Banff and Macduff.
"The website and app will provide a wide range of local information including business listings, information on our community organisations and groups, places to visit, events, news, deals and more.
"It will be a useful resource for local community residents and visitors alike.”
The project is funded by Aberdeenshire Council’s Phoenix Fund, which was launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and is designed to provide financial support for collaborative business-led projects in up to 25 towns across Aberdeenshire.
The fund will support the website and app development and cover costs of maintaining the platforms for three years, enabling businesses and community groups to secure free online listings for the duration.
Efforts have been driven to date by a steering group of representatives from local organisations, including The Rotary Club of Banff, Banff and Macduff Community Council and Banffshire Business Forum, who successfully secured the funding and enabled the project to develop.
Banff and Macduff Phoenix Fund Steering Group representative Rachel Kennedy said: “We are delighted to welcome Vivien into the role and look forward to progressing this project, which has been the focus of our efforts for some months.
"It’s exciting to know that the project which started during lockdown has gained momentum and will soon come to fruition.
"We really encourage our local businesses and community groups to get involved in making this a fantastic resource to boost our town centre and tourism appeal.”
As part of the wider project, efforts will also embrace shop local initiatives to encourage footfall into the town and to support Banff and Macduff’s independent businesses.
The project will promote the Scotland Loves Local Aberdeenshire initiative and Totally Locally’s Fiver Fest which takes place between June 12 to 26.
For more information about the project and to get involved, contact Vivien at vivien@evokemarketing.co.uk
