The manager of a scheme set up to improve Inverurie town centre has resigned after less than a year in the job.
Ashley Wilson was brought in to manage We Are Inverurie after firms voted to create a business improvement district (BID) in June last year.
Mrs Wilson had worked tirelessly in the run up to the ballot and was appointed as manager following a recruitment campaign in August.
Last night, however, Mrs Wilson confirmed she had taken the hard decision to walk away from the role.
The announcement was greeted with disappointment by colleagues but she said: “I just needed a change. The BID had taken over my life.
“I had put my own company on hold for the last few years.
“It was a tough decision and wasn’t one I took easily but I have to put myself first.
“It’s time for someone else to take over.
“I’m still going to be doing the Pride of Inverurie Awards this year though as I’ve already committed to that.”
The BID scheme is funded by an annual levy which all businesses in the town centre pay into, amounting to £500,000 over the five year period between 2017 to 2022.
The money will support a range of projects with the aim of improving the town and benefitting local business.
BID chairman Ian Sinclair is now faced with advertising for a new leader for the project.
He said: “I am disappointed that we have to find a new BID manager so early into the process of delivering our business plan but nevertheless that was Ashley’s decision.
“Progress has been made, a lot of the groundwork is in place so we will re-group and deliver the events planned and the other initiatives in our plan.
“The main short term goal to benefit our levy payers is to negotiate with waste and utility companies to try and get a better deal for them.
“We are hoping to appoint a new manager before the end of the month.”