A popular north-east retail scheme will be relaunched next year in an effort to boost town centre trade.
The Retail Plus Scheme started in Peterhead in 2015 and was part of the local authority’s long-term vision to get more people shopping locally.
The council will now relaunch the campaign for local businesses in January, promising access to expert advice and grants of up to £2,000 to improve shop frontages.
Gordon Bell, the chairman of The Retailer Group, said the programme could be “valuable” to local businesses.
“These are challenging conditions for all retailers, so assistance at this time is particularly valuable,” he said.
“We have seen many achievements in the earlier phases and are looking forward to working with the local retailers, hopefully, repeating these previous successes.”
Katrina Allan, who runs local bakers Murdoch Allan, took part in the scheme last year.
Last night, she said it had been “fantastic” for improving the shop.
She added: “It has allowed us to make the changes we needed quickly to grow our shops.
“The advice and help from The Retailer Group has been excellent – always available and a genuine passion for your business to succeed.”
The scheme is part of a wider commitment to developing the Peterhead area.
Robert McGregor, area project officer for Buchan, said: “The difference between this and other renovation schemes is that we’re not just improving the physical exteriors of the shops but also the way they are run.”
The Retail Plus Scheme has previously been run in Fraserburgh, where a smartphone app was launched to offer unique deals at local shops.
The plug was pulled on the app earlier this year.
Full details of the Peterhead scheme will be announced at a meeting on Wednesday, January 11 at the Albert Hotel at 5.30pm.
All retail businesses have been invited.
