Housing development to be named after north-east fashion designer
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Fraserburgh’s former academy annexe will be renamed in honour of one of the town’s “most famous loons” – fashion designer Bill Gibb.
Work is ongoing to convert the building on Dennyduff Road, which previously housed art and drama classrooms, into 16 one-bedroom apartments.
Councillors approved the ‘first class’ development back in March last year.
However plans were recently unveiled to name the building Bill Gibb Court after the iconic fashion designer who hailed from the north-east.
Local councillors and Fraserburgh Community Council were consulted on proposed names for the academy annexe, and the majority of responses suggested Bill Gibb.
Council officers had reached out to Bill’s family and they were happy for him to be recognised in this way.
Bill was born to parents George and Jessie Gibb in January 1943 near New Pitsligo.
He was raised by his grandparents on a farm at Lochpots and later attended Fraserburgh Academy.
While at the school, his teachers noted his talents and urged Bill to apply to an art school in London.
Taking their advice, he left the north-east and went on to attend St Martin’s School of Art.
Bill went on to have an illustrious career in the 1960s and 70s, and found himself working with stars including Twiggy and Bianca Jagger, the ex-wife of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
But sadly Bill died in 1988 aged just 44 after a battle with bowel cancer.
The proposal was considered by the Banff and Buchan area committee earlier this week.
Committee chairwoman, councillor Doreen Mair welcomed the planned moniker.
She said: “It has been a long-held desire of mine to name a building or street in Fraserburgh after one of its most famous loons.
“Bill was actually taught and received great encouragement for his future career in this building so I think it’s a very apt building to be named after him.
“I know the family very much appreciate that this acknowledgement of his success is firmly established in Fraserburgh now.”
“It’s been a long time coming but I’m glad it’s here,” Ms Mair added.
After a brief pause, and a thumbs up from councillor Seamus Logan, the committee unanimously agreed to approve the name.
Aberdeenshire Council’s housing service is currently working on refurbishing the annexe.
The project will help the local authority meet housing demands in the area.
Work on the project, which is expected to take a year to complete, started last month.
Chap Construction has been appointed the contractor and the building’s new residents are expected to move in early next year.
