New Huntly Travel Hub HQ thrilled by "amazing reactions" at Hairst soft launch
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A MUCH-loved charity service invited Huntly to see its new town centre base last weekend.
The Huntly Travel Hub – which provides e-bike hire, shared car access and active travel advice – hosted a "soft launch" of its new 11 Deveron Street headquarters during Saturday's (September 2) busy Hairst.
With 22 electric bikes and three cars available, manager Stuart Masson said, it had become too difficult to run the hub out of the Huntly Development Trust offices.
"The reason we did this refurbishment was that our previous location was bursting at the seams," he said.
"It wasn’t feasible to operate in that way.
"It’s amazing to see the reactions of people who walk in and look at the space, because they maybe remember it as the dark, damp space it was before.
"It is really good to see and I am looking forward to many busy months."
Beginning in February, work has transformed the building's interior, addressed problems with damp and created a bespoke bike maintenance and cleaning area at the back.
A large map detailing walking and cycling routes in the Huntly area has also been added to a wall in the customer-facing area.
Mr Masson said the e-bike-focussed Hub works in partnership with the Huntly Nordic Centre, which offer standard bike hire, and Gordon Rural Action's Bikery, which offers standard bike repair and retail.
Joint Huntly Development Trust general manager Donald Boyd said: "It’s making use of another empty building in the centre, so we can have a town centre presence rather than just an online presence.
"A significant percentage of e-bike users currently do very little or no exercise, either due to their levels of fitness or due to mental or physical ailments.
"And it is transformational to their health.
"So, for the community, this is very important for the future."
One job is expected to be created at the refurbished travel hub, focussed on bike maintenance, which could either be a paid or training-based role to suit a school leaver, somebody looking for work experience or who hopes to acquire valuable skills.
The Huntly Travel Hub also provides access to shared cars, and the Huntly Community Minibus.
Mr Boyd said there were "huge" benefits to not owning a car, and that the Travel Hub can make it easier.
"Living in a rural area without a car can be quite hard," he said.
"And the Huntly Travel Hub is here to find an alternative to owning a car.
"If you don’t want to own a car for personal or environmental reasons, or you can’t afford your own vehicle, we can make it a bit easier.
"A shared car can take 18 others off the road.
"So we really want to encourage folk to come in and have a chat with us."
