Mixed picture for Ross-shire towns in new Highland Council survey
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Ross-shire towns showed differing states of health in Highland Council's latest 'town centre health check'.
The picture was relatively positive for Alness despite a vacancy rate for businesses that had increased from 8.1 per cent in 2018 to 18.4 per cent when the latest survey was conducted, last summer.
However according to the report, published today, the town scores highly against most qualitative indicators, with an aggregated score of 45 out of 55.
The report added: "As it was in 2018, planting in the centre was excellent at the time of visit, parking and public transport were widely available and efforts had been made to introduce public art."
However it also added: "It scored less well in terms of cycling facilities and pedestrian friendliness, as it did in 2018, suggesting that no improvements have been introduced."
The so-called health checks used a mix of survey work as well as a public survey.
In the latter, for the five issues on which they were questioned, "Accessibility" scored the highest with an aggregated score of 94 out of a possible 100.
Next, both "Pavements and Streets" and "Safety and Security" scored 86; "Retail" scored 76 and "Evening Economy" scored 74.
The town centre scored 416 out of a possible total of 500, giving Alness an 83.2 per cent public satisfaction rating.
The report states: "Town Centre Health Checks (TCHCs) are prepared by local authorities to monitor the strength and vitality of town centres across Scotland.
"Indicators such as accessibility, community, property, activities and the physical environment are recommended assessment measures; all of which contribute towards the 'health' of a town centre."
Referring back to the 2018 survey it added: "Since then, there have been significant social, economic and political changes such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK's exit from the European Union.
"It is important to monitor how town centres across the Highlands have been, and continue to be, affected by these events."
This was underlined by the section of the report dealing specifically with Alness.
Noting the increased vacancy rate it stated that, given the survey took place post-pandemic, "these vacancy/occupancy rates may simply be a reflection on the economic difficulties that have been faced, on a global scale, over the past few years.
"It will be interesting to see how the picture may change between the 2022 study and the next town centre health check."
For Dingwall results were described as "fairly mixed".
The vacancy rate increased from 6.8 per cent in 2018 to 14.5 per cent in 2022 but the town scored 42 out of 55 in the surveyor's on-site qualitative assessment including full marks for Pedestrian Friendliness and Parking.
In the public survey, "Accessibility" scored 88 out of 100; "Safety and Security" 86; "Pavements and Streets" 80, "Retail" 69 and "Evening Economy" 57.
The town centre scored 380 out of a possible total of 500, giving it a 76 per cent public satisfaction rating.
Tain's results were also described as mixed.
Vacancy rates have decreased from 14.9 per cent in 2018 to 11 per cent in 2022 but the town did not score that well in the surveyor's on-site qualitative assessment, with an aggregated score of 34 out of 55 and no full marks for any category.
In the public survey, "Safety and Security" scored the highest out of the five categories with 94 out of a possible 100.
Next, "Accessibility" scored 87, "Pavements and Streets" scored 76, "Retail" scored 54 and "Evening Economy" scored 52.
The town centre scored 363 out of a possible total of 500, giving Tain a 72.6 per cent public satisfaction rating.
The vacancy rate in Ullapool increased from 6.1 per cent in 2018 to 10 per cent in 2022.
The town scored relatively well in the surveyor's on-site qualitative assessment, with an aggregated score of 38 out of 55 and full marks for Safety and Security.
In the public survey, "Safety and Security" scored the highest out of the five categories with 93 out of a possible 100.
Next, "Accessibility" scored 83, "Pavements and Streets" scored 74, "Evening Economy" scored 71 and "Retail" scored 67.
The town centre scored 379 out of a possible total of 500, giving Ullapool a 75.8 per cent public satisfaction rating.
Invergordon was described as "one of the less healthier town centres" assessed.
The vacancy rate was already high, totalling 15 per cent in 2018 and climbing to 18.8 per cent in 2022.
The repirt added: "The town did not score that well in the surveyor's on-site qualitative assessment, with an aggregated score of 34 out of 55 although this included full marks for Public Realm and Parking.
In the public survey, "Accessibility" scored the highest out of the five categories with 76 out of 100.
Next, "Safety and Security" scored 75, "Pavements and Streets" scored 66, "Retail" scored 53 and "Evening Economy" scored 34.
The town centre scored 304 out of a possible total of 500, giving Invergordon a 60.8 per cent public satisfaction rating.
Chairman of the council's economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: “Checking the strength and vitality of our town centres is essential to enable better decision and policy making.
“By presenting detailed information and analysis of the data collected alongside a commentary on each location allows a range of users to access information relevant to them."
You can access the full report, including assessments of town centres across the Highlands, here
