The boss of the body tasked with revitalising a north-east town is quitting after admitting it he has taken the organisation as far as he can.
Iain Sutherland has been the manager for the Rediscover Peterhead business improvement (Bid) district scheme since March last year.
The town councillor was appointed to the role on a part-time basis after the previous boss Ken Duncan left due to personal reasons after being in post for a month.
It comes just a matter of days after Mr Sutherland, who helped launched the Bid following a vote in September 2017, announced he was closing his card and gift shop on Marischal Street.
He said he and his wife Elizabeth had taken the decision to shut up the store after 16 years to allow them to restructure their business to adapt to changes on the high street.
Mr Sutherland said he was moving on because he feels now is a good time to pass the position on to someone new.
He said: “I’ve taken it as far as I possibly can.
“Looking at where we are and what we need to get done clearly they need somebody that is full-time.
“When Ken Duncan did it he was in the role full-time and when he stepped down I said I can only do it part-time when I was interviewed.
“Clearly when you look at the next few years they would be better having a full-time manager.”
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A statement issued to the members of the initiative by Bid chairman John Pascoe confirmed Mr Sutherland would leave next month.
He also said there was “no cause for concern” among the 220 businesses signed up to the Bid.
Mr Pascoe said: “I would like to share with you that Iain Sutherland has handed in his resignation as Bid manager, and will be leaving the company as of April 10, 2019.
“Iain felt this was the best decision for the Bid and the town; and we will support his transition into his new business venture, and thank him for all the hard work he has done so far.
“I would like to take this opportunity to assure you, and other levy members that this is no cause for concern.
“Myself, the board and our current full-time Bid assistant will continue working on projects until a new manager is in place – and we are actively working on this now to ensure the right person is appointed.”
Gilbert Burnett from Buchan Aquatics was recently appointed to the Bid board and is “sad” to see Mr Sutherland move on.
He said: “The Bid in Peterhead is a relatively new venture.
“I’m guessing he has got far too much going on and he can’t commit himself to the Bid.
“The Bid manager should be 100% focused on Peterhead’s needs.”
