A businessman has dismissed claims that Banff could become a “ghost town” amid fears for the future of the high street.
Angela Wiseman, who owns Granny Bakes, said local business owners had contacted her to say they were considering closing permanently.
And she warned that the coastal community faced a bleak future if firms shut their doors and suggested setting up a business group to give it a helping hand, an idea backed by the council.
Mrs Wiseman was recently forced to move her business from her premises in Strait Path and into her own kitchen due to renovation work at a nearby hotel.
In May the town centre was dealt a blow when the Royal Bank of Scotland closed its branch.
But Scott Birnie, who runs the Good Sleep Company bed shop on the High Street, said businesses in the town were “doing well”.
And he hit back at any suggestion of “doom and gloom” hitting the firms operating along the main thoroughfare.
Mr Birnie said: “Every time I see something in the paper about Banff it is all negative with folk moaning about this and that.
“Nobody ever focuses on the positives that there are plenty of thriving businesses in Banff.
“We spend a lot of money advertising and then people hear negatives about a place.
“You worry that puts people off visiting.
“I just feel that it would be worthwhile pointing out that there are plenty of thriving businesses in Banff.”
Mr Birnie said that in recent days his own business has attracted visitors from across the north-east.
He said: “There are plenty of businesses that have been there for years which are doing well.
“Just before Christmas there wasn’t actually an empty shop on Banff High Street. So from that perspective the town is doing well.
“In the last week alone we have had people coming to our shop from Aberdeen, Mintlaw and Inverurie so people are prepared to travel into Banff.
“I don’t think there’s as much doom and gloom as some people make out.”
Spotty Bag Shop owner Des Cheyne said his business has been busy in recent days with coachloads of visitors stopping off at the store.
He said the struggles of other firms in his home town were indicative of wider problems on every high street.
Mr Cheyne said: “Since our huge investment was made, we have seen a considerable increase in business with nine coaches visiting our store this week.
“Being one of Banff’s biggest employers, I disagree that it is almost closed for business, although I appreciate there is a lot of work to go into the town whether this is achieved by working in partnership with the council or for private individuals to do this.
“Every high street up and down the country is experiencing difficult challenges and why would we be any different?”
Last night, Morna Harper, Aberdeenshire Council’s service manager for economic development, said: “Mr Birnie is correct.
“There are many great retail outlets in Banff and the health of the High Street was reflected in Banff High Street getting to the finals of Scotland’s Most Beautiful High Street last year.
“Despite that positive picture, the council will continue to support retail, and other businesses, in Banff to ensure a diverse and resilient business base.”
