There is still hope a series of regeneration projects in Peterhead can be “salvaged”, despite the collapse of the local charity which managed them.
It emerged earlier this week that Peterhead Projects had folded following financial difficulties, leaving 10 employees redundant and several schemes with an uncertain future.
The charity ran three shops in the town as well as larger initiatives including the Lido Caravan Park and the Buchan Meadows Community Woodland.
A “green spaces initiative” to grow an urban garden in the heart of the town centre has also been thrown into jeopardy.
Last night a spokeswoman for the insolvency firm managing the liquidation of Peterhead Projects, Begbies Traynor, said there have been no further developments.
But independent councillor Norman Smith, who said the regeneration of Peterhead is a regional priority when he joined the new council administration last week, said all hope is not lost.
“It’ll be a huge loss for the town, the situation going as it is,” Mr Smith said. “They had a wide range of things they were doing and were doing well. It’s come as a surprise to me.
“I’m hopeful that going forward we can get someone to take some of the projects on.
“It’s early days yet but I would say we have to try and salvage as much as possible of what they were doing.”
Peterhead Projects was based at The Trading Post store on Marischal Street and also oversaw the annual festive Gift Tree appeal which encouraged people to donate presents for children who may otherwise have nothing to open on Christmas Day.
The charity worked closely with other third-sector groups in the town including Modo – a performing arts and youth group.
Modo director Martin Danziger said the collapse of the community trust underlined the precarious position organisations which rely on grant funding are in. Modo were working with Peterhead Projects on the proposals to create an urban garden on Rose Street.
“Clearly that’s not going to happen with Peterhead Projects,” Mr Danziger added last night. “In terms of how that can continue we’ll have to wait and see. We’ve had a lot of dealings with them over the years and it’s a shame to see an organisation helping the town stopping.”