Residents of a north-east town are being encouraged to play their role in developing its future.
A new group Ellon Now, Ellon New has been set up to provide an opportunity for the community to actively take part in expanding its appeal.
The project, supported by Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish government, aims to bring people together to talk about issues and devise plans to enhance the town.
A study team held drop-in centres and conducted walks around the town centre last weekend, in an initial programme of community engagement.
There will now be further consultations in the coming months before the findings are fed back to the community.
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Ellon and District councillor Isobel Davidson said: “This is similar to a consultation recently carried out in Pitmedden which has had really good results where a range of proposals were developed.
“While there have been a number of previous consultations, this is more focused than those that have taken place in the past.
“It’s about realistic ambitions that can be delivered for the community. And not just from the council, but the community council and other community groups.
“It’s a good opportunity to get the community together to have their say.”
Views can also be given online at www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=155059520878.
For more information, contact Samantha Rawlins on 01467 536454 or e-mail samantha.rawlins@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
Fears had been raised over the future of the town centre after several businesses closed their doors last year, including Gray’s haberdashers and Jack’s Steakhouse and Grill.
Aberdeenshire Council also plans to relocate its offices from Neil Ross Square to a new development at the site of the old academy.
The closures led to calls for fresh ideas about how to regenerate the once-thriving town centre, with Ellon Community Council saying that attracting people to the town centre was crucial to the overall vitality of the area.
Last year also saw the launch of ambitious plans to make the town centre more pedestrian-friendly.
It is hoped the Integrated Travel Town project will boost local businesses by, among other things, improving links to the town centre from outlying areas.