A businessman hopes to boost regeneration efforts in a coastal town with his latest venture.
Des Cheyne, who owns the Spotty Bag Shop in Banff, wants to flatten an abandoned property near the store and transform it into a soft play centre for children.
He said he has grown frustrated with the “lack of council action” to improve the area.
Mr Cheyne’s previous bid to build an indoor play facility for children in the former community centre fell through last year.
But he said he was now pushing ahead with the proposal and believes it is up to business owners to lead the way in helping Banff become “vibrant” once more.
He said: “It is no secret that our town is lacking investment and footfall and it appears it is up to the private sector to change this rather than wait for the council.
“It seems to be a UK-wide problem with high streets suffering and Banff is no different – this is all the more reason for us to work together to bring Banff back on the map and becoming a vibrant town to visit.
“As the Spotty Bag Shop seems to be at the forefront of regeneration, we felt we should still provide a facility that would drive footfall to the area and increase the option of more amenities which we would hope would be beneficial and help create more jobs.”
Aberdeenshire Council’s head of economic development, Belinda Miller, said there were projects in place to create a Banff Heritage Trail and reopen Banff Vinery at Duff House.
She said: “Regeneration cannot happen in isolation and is truly a success when we all work together.
“Meanwhile, we are working to support restoration of local buildings and have plans for the marina.
“The greatest success of regeneration will be to get to a place where public sector efforts are able to mobilise private sector investment.”
Banff Development Partnership chairman councillor Glen Reynolds highlighted the need for an organisation to be set up to steer the vision for the regeneration of the town.
He said: “The Banff Development Partnership needs more people that are on the same page in terms of understanding and implementing the agenda for growth.
“The iconic Spotty Bag shop with Mr Cheyne at its head, cannot be a lone voice in terms of the private sector contribution to the towns growth.
“Sadly, Banff currently lacks a cohesive collective body that speaks for and acts on behalf of the interests of the valued local businesses.
“I think that has taken its toll on the plans necessary to ensure that Banff is fully open for business.
“But we are getting there.”
Aberdeenshire Council’s head of economic development, Belinda Miller, said there are projects in place to create a Banff Heritage Trail and reopen Banff Vinery.
She said: “Regeneration cannot happen in isolation and is truly a success when we all work together.
“Meanwhile, we are working to support restoration of local buildings and have plans for the Marina.
“The greatest success of regeneration will be to get to a place where public sector efforts are able to mobilise private sector investment.”
The Banff Development Partnership chairman Councillor Glen Reynolds said: “The Banff Development Partnership needs more people that are on the same page in terms of understanding and implementing the agenda for growth.
“The iconic Spotty Bag shop with Mr Cheyne at its head, cannot be a lone voice in terms of the private sector contribution to the towns growth.
“Sadly, Banff currently lacks a cohesive collective body that speaks for and acts on behalf of the interests of the valued local businesses.
“I think that has taken its toll on the plans necessary to ensure that Banff is fully open for business.
“But we are getting there.”
