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Moray Town Centre Task Force: Everything you need to know about the new group on a mission to boost the region’s high streets

Our guide to the newly-formed group that could hold the key to helping Moray town centres thrive.

Sarah Medcraf walking down Elgin High Street.
Moray Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sarah Medcraf. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Moray’s Town Centre Task Force is the new group determined to breathe new life into the region’s town centres.

It comes as locals call for more action to help town centres evolve.

Challenges include empty units, the rise of online shopping and business parks.

Despite this, people from across the region are joining together in a drive to make a difference.

Elgin from the sky! Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

When did the task force come together?

Moray’s Town Centre Summit, run by the Moray Chamber of Commerce brought people together. Image: Jason Hedges/ DC Thomson

In April, representatives across businesses, public sector organisations and charities came together to discuss ideas to improve town centres.

Click here to read about some of the creative ideas suggested at the summit to improve the Elgin town centre.

The idea of Moray’s Town Centre Task Force emerged from these crunch talks at the Elgin Town Hall.

Since then, the specialist coalition has moved forward.

The group will focus on Aberlour, Buckie, Dufftown, Elgin, Forres, Keith and Lossiemouth.

A newspaper article about the Moray's Town Centre Task Force from The P&J with the headline: 'Morat Task Force looking for help to improve town centres'
News of the commitment to the taskforce. Image: DC Thomson/ Design team

What is the latest on the Moray Town Centre Task Force?

A meeting of the Moray Town Centre Task Force
The people who attended the meeting included Business Gateway’s Lorna Williamson, Dufftown and District Community Association’s Viktoria Eriksson,  Moray Chamber of Commerce’s Sarah Medcraf and Findhorn Bay Arts’ Kresanna Aigner. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Earlier this week, the inception meeting of Moray’s Town Centres Task Force chaired by Moray Chamber of Commerce CEO Sarah Medcraf took place.

Sarah Medcraf told us: “People realise there is going be challenges ahead.

“The commitment and enthusiasm to make a difference is really heart warming.

“We will be creating short, medium and long-term goals for Moray collectable and then tailor it to towns.”

Moray Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sarah Medcraf
Moray Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sarah Medcraf is happy with the response. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Who is in the taskforce?

Elgin High Street with St Giles Church in background and fountain in foreground.
Elgin High Street. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

The final line up of the Moray’s Town Centre Task Force is still to be completed.

Moray Chamber Of Commerce still needs to talk to other members who couldn’t manage to attend to confirm their position on the taskforce.

Dufftown clock tower
Iconic Dufftown clock tower. Image: Jason Hedges/ DC Thomson.

Here’s a list of people who have joined Moray’s Town Centre Task Force so far:

  • Findhorn Bay Arts director Kresanna Aigner
  • Keith & Strathisla Regeneration Partnership community development officer Bryony Beck
  •  Lossiemouth Community Development Trust trustee Robbie Conti
  •  Sirology owner Richard Cumming
  • Dufftown and District Community Association’s Viktoria Eriksson
  • Elgin Community Council’s Graham Jarvis
  • Forres Area Community Trust director Sandra MacLennan
  • Elgin BID’s manager Angela Norrie
  • Pozzi Limited director David Robertson
  • Moray Council’s Strategic Planning and Delivery Manager Gary Templeton
  • Moray Council’s Principal Planning officer Eily Webster
  •  Business Gateway manager Lorna Williamson

Support for the taskforce

In autumn, it is hoped the Town Centres Development Manager will be appointed and ready to help the Moray’s Town Centre Task Force drive forward positive changes.

This full-time role with a one year contract is being funded from Moray Council’s existing £4.3 million award from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

An exterior shot of Moray Council offices.
Moray Council offices.

Meanwhile, this week, councillors on the Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee have agreed to set up a £171,000 grant scheme.

This scheme across Moray will be aimed at town centre business start-ups, bringing vacant properties back into suitable use and sub-division of premises.

Two vacant shops on Elgin High Street
Some of the empty units on Elgin High Street. Image: Jason Hedges/ DC Thomson

The cash has come from the local authority budget of £466,000 from the Scottish Government’s Place-Based Improvement Fund.

Meanwhile, £25,000 will go towards new signage in town centres and £210,000 towards the South Street Elgin regeneration project towards an early site acquisition.

The remaining £60,000 will go towards a Conservation Area grant scheme across Moray.

Conversation