Strengthening town centres in Caithness and Sutherland

11th June 2019

The Highland Council is asking communities and other stakeholders for their thoughts and opinion on a draft strategy to improve the town centres of Brora, Dornoch, Golspie, Thurso and Wick.

The draft Caithness and Sutherland Town Centre Strategy presents several potential actions for each of the town centres. These actions have been identified based on the findings of the 2018 Town Centre Health Check undertaken by the Council. The actions are aimed at making the town centres more attractive, active or accessible. This can benefit those who use the town centres - residents, workers or visitors - and strengthen the businesses and services based there.

Town Centre Health Checks are a means of assessing the strength, vitality and performance of town centres over time. To make the information easier to access, a "Story Map" is available on the Council's website which illustrates the circumstances and findings for each town centre.

Once approved in its final form, the Strategy will provide a more detailed framework of potential actions (an action programme) that will outline steps that may be taken by a range of individuals and bodies to improve their town centres and allow the Council to respond appropriately to any future planning applications.

Councillor Richard Gale, Chair of the Sutherland County Committee, said: "Town centres in Sutherland are at the heart of our communities and we must help to find ways to make the most of them. I'm very pleased to see the Town Centre Strategy being prepared as it will set out a plan for addressing the issues which were found as part of last year's town centre health checks."

Councillor Matthew Reiss, Chair of the Caithness Committee, said: "With the challenges we are facing in Caithness we need to ensure that the town centres are thriving and attractive places. The town centre health checks provided us with valuable data about the current situation in our main town centres and this strategy document now provides an excellent opportunity to set out what needs to happen to deliver the change that’s needed. It’s also a timely piece of work, particularly given the momentum currently being generated by local people to transform Wick town centre."

The Strategy should reflect several other plans and proposals being developed within the communities and the Council would welcome information on relevant actions and projects that could contribute to the Town Centre Strategy.

The consultation on the draft Strategy starts on Friday 14 June and runs until Friday 23 August 2019. View and comment on the draft Strategy, online at

consult.highland.gov.uk . Anyone without internet access can view the document online at Highland Council Public Libraries, Service Points and Access Points. A paper copy of the documentation is available to view in Mobile Libraries operating in the Caithness and Sutherland area and at the Highland Council Headquarters (Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX).

This documentation is available for inspection free of charge and during normal opening hours. Anyone requiring a large print copy or have any questions, please email devplans@highland.gov.uk or phone 01349 886608.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Advisory / Counseling Services

September is Scottish Start-Up Month – could your business idea become a reality?

September has become a month when Scotland's aspiring entrepreneurs are being encouraged to take a closer look at an idea that may have been sitting in the back of their minds for some time.   Scottish Start-Up Month, led by Business Gateway, has returned for 2026 with a simple message: if you have an idea for a business, this could be the month to take the first step.  

Yesterday : Educational Institutions

Fewer Children, More Difficult Decisions: The Future of Highland's Schools

For many years Highland Council has faced difficult decisions over small rural schools.   Some have closed, others have been mothballed, and communities have often argued that a village school is about much more than the number of children sitting in its classrooms.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Glasgow’s 23,000 Council Workers Face a Major Pay Shake-Up

Glasgow City Council has taken a dramatic step in its long-running equal-pay dispute, giving notice that it intends to end existing pay arrangements for its non-teaching workforce unless an agreement can be reached with the trade unions.   Around 23,000 employees are affected.  

Yesterday : Employment Services

What Are the Options for Scottish Pupils Who Do Not Want the Traditional Academic Route?

Parents of teenagers in England are being told that they will need to understand a new range of vocational qualifications as their children approach the age of 14.   The Career Development Institute has welcomed the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which are due to start being introduced in England from 2029.  

24/9/2026 : Local Authority

The £27 Million Energy Bill Facing Highland Council – And NHS Highland's Hidden Cost

Rising energy prices are a problem for households and businesses, but there is another very large energy bill that receives much less attention.   Highland Council operates one of the largest public-sector property estates in Scotland, while NHS Highland runs hospitals, health centres, clinics and other facilities across an enormous geographical area.  

24/9/2026 : Local Authority

Public invited to Justice Service open days in Fort William and Wick

The Highland Council’s Justice Social Work teams in Lochaber and Caithness will be hosting open days in Fort William on Tuesday 6 October and Wick on Friday 9 October 2026.   The open days will provide members of the public with an opportunity to gain an insight into the Justice Service and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Launch of New Transport Service for Renal Patients in Highland

NHS Highland and The Highland Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new bespoke year-round transport service for renal haemodialysis patients across Highland.   Funded through a grant from NHS Highland, the service marks the first phase of a new approach to patient transport delivery, designed to support the long-term development of a more sustainable, flexible and community-focused transport model for Highland.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Economy and Infrastructure Committee to consider next steps on proposed Short Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will meet next Monday (28 September 2026) to consider whether to progress proposals for new Short Term Let Control Areas across parts of Highland.   At the special meeting, councillors will be asked to consider the findings of a public consultation on proposed control areas covering Inverness City and a wider Highland Rural area, before deciding whether the proposals should be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scotland's Local Government Reform: More Local Power or Mainly a Search for Savings?

The Scottish Government is proposing a major reshaping of local government, with fewer regional authorities and many more community-level bodies making decisions closer to where people live.   The language is about local democracy, stronger communities and bringing decisions closer to people.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Local Government Set For Huge Changes

Initial proposals designed to deliver fundamental reform of local governance have been set out to help shape the debate on improving public services.   The possible changes, if implemented, could help achieve a better balance of decision-making powers across the public sector to ensure investment is focused on delivering improved services.