An ambitious regeneration project driven by people power could bring gardens, shopping festivals and even a theatre to the heart of the north-east’s biggest town.
More than 3,000 people took part in the Choose Peterhead public consultation as urban planners aimed to reshape the future of the port.
Now the new vision of the its ailing town centre has been unveiled.
Spearheaded by local performing arts group and circus troupe Modo, the Choose Peterhead scheme was designed to deliver projects chosen by local people.
With the help of Glasgow-based urban planners Pidgin Perfect, the team has drawn up a 10-year plan for the “spine” of the town centre from Errol Street through Drummers Corner and Marischal Street to Broad Street.
Detailed designs for short, medium and long-term projects were released yesterday, along with financial details and example images from similar schemes around the world.
Planners took on board the views of the 3,247 people who took part in a public consultation and opinions aired at four days of workshops before compiling a list of issues, including safety, culture, shopping and public space.
Pidgin Perfect director, Becca Thomas, said: “The result is our vision for Peterhead in the next five to 10 years and how wonderful the town could be.”
Modo’s Martin Danziger added: “There have been a lot of reports before, but a report is only as good as its deliverability.
“There is a clear community mandate here – it throws down a gauntlet.”
In the short term, the Choose Peterhead report proposes creating a community cafe in Drummers Corner at a cost of £25,000. One has already been operating on a trial basis.
A further £12,500 will be allocated to kick-starting the economy with a “festival of pop-up shops” during which all the vacant retail units in the area would be opened up and offered for free to local small businesses.
This could be done during peak times of the year, for a fortnight around Scottish Week or at Christmas.
A third short-term project is a “pocket park” – a small garden – at the corner of Rose Street and Broad street at the cost of £12,500.
In conjunction with the local authority and community council, a group would be given funding to create a green space on vacant land.
Grant funding for all the schemes as well as improvements to lighting and a deep clean of the town centre has already been identified.
As much as £50,000 will be spent transforming Drummers Corner into a “vibrant public space”.
This will involve scrapping the existing seating in favour of more “sociable” areas as well as putting the “white elephant” Drum installation to use as a performance venue.
The initial designs describe the revamped area – for which an artist will be commissioned to complete the project – as a “playful space” which can also accommodate skateboarders and other young people.
The crowning jewels for the Choose Peterhead scheme however are a “high-spec” theatre and a family history heritage centre.
Both projects are at an early stage and no costs have been estimated, but Pidgin Perfect is proposing transforming the Muckle Kirk in Erroll Street into a theatre to attract national and international shows touring the area.
It would include a wine bar and family-friendly restaurant “encouraging people to spend an evening in Peterhead”.
The proposed heritage centre could occupy the former town house building in Broad Street.
It would become a “contemporary and accessible museum” open to tourists and local schools.
The next step of the Choose Peterhead initiative is to negotiate with local voluntary groups and businesses to find partners for each of the schemes.
The designs and report are available to view at the community cafe in Drummers Corner.
