Elgin records lowest rating after Moray Town Centre Health Check 2023
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ELGIN recorded the lowest rating of town centres in Moray according to the findings of a town centre health check.
Moray Council heard findings from the 2023 Moray Town Centre Health Checks last week.
The checks establish the strengths and weaknesses of town centres which are then used to inform development plans.
Elgin, Forres, Keith, Buckie and Lossiemouth were subjected to full checks while limited audits were completed in Aberlour, Dufftown, Fochabers and Rothes.
Data on the perception of theses town centres was gathered through an online survey which asked the public to rate various aspects of their towns.
The survey found that retail and leisure facilities were the dominating uses in almost every town.
Meanwhile, shopping, events and restaurants were identified as key areas for improvement.
Overall, Elgin had the lowest rating of all the town centres evaluated.
It scored poorly on retail offering, evening economy, daytime events, attractiveness, public transport and cleanliness.
But with Elgin one of 55 towns across the UK set to receive £20m from the UK Government it is hoped improvements will be made.
A public engagement is currently underway to begin delivering this investment.
Moray Council Leader, Kathleen Robertson, said: “Town centre audits and health checks provide us with an evidence base of the strengths and weaknesses of our town centres.
“I’m pleased we’ll be able to use the report as consideration in the next Local Development Plan and, following the discussion at full council, it’s clearly beneficial for the current development work being undertaken in our town centres.”
