Throughout the pandemic, people in towns and villages across Aberdeenshire have pulled together to provide help to their neighbours, friends and families.
But while the region managed to dodge a localised lockdown like Aberdeen, the ramifications of the summer are still being felt.
Independent retailers, many of whom rely on the tourist trade in warmer months, are still counting the cost of the pandemic.
However, plans are afoot in town and village centres to adapt to the “new normal” and take an increasingly digital stance on improving footfall and trade.
Gordon Bell, of the Retailer Group, was hired by the council before lockdown to help grow town centres – not knowing how his advice would have to take on a completely different dimension in the following months.
Mr Bell said: “As the effects of Colvid-19 grew the Retailer Group was asked to look at support and recovery strategies for the smaller towns.
“As Covid- 19 is an issue affecting all communities, we surmised that business was not going to recover ahead of community issues, and it was going to be critical all sectors worked together to support the community.
“Recovery was going to be a lot of tiny steps and good communication was going to be essential, not speaking business to business, but to those on the street.
“The more we work together the faster out community comes out of this and the more we prosper.”
A raft of schemes have secured funding from various sources to help town centres to bounce back.
Aberdeeenshire Council’s Phoenix Fund has provided financial support, via grants of either £10,000 or £5,000, for projects in larger and smaller towns across the region.
Infrastructure service committee chairman, and deputy leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Peter Argyle was keen to stress that the commercial hearts of communities are “safe and friendly” as he encouraged residents to make the most of them.
He said: “In response to the huge impacts of the pandemic we have refocused some of our funding to help town centres respond and adapt – it is hard to believe how quickly and profoundly everything has changed.
“But what has not changed is that we have a great mix of town centres, with so many independent retailers and family businesses, all of whom are committed to providing an excellent service.
“There is a really positive message that I am always keen to support; our town and village centres are important, are safe and friendly, have a wide offering and are on everybody’s doorstep.”
Huntly community comes together to create app for town
Retailers in Huntly have been hit hard by lockdown – but there are hopes that a special new project could be a positive step.
Various members of the community have now dedicated themselves to creating a community app.
Information from businesses, charities, schools, clubs and churches will all feature – and the app will provide updates on bus and train timetables, local weather and news to those who download it onto their mobile phones.
The app will be created thanks to funding of £10,000 from the Scotland’s Towns Partnership.
Organisations involved include the Huntly Business Association, Huntly and District Development Trust, Huntly Community Council, Deveron Projects and Huntly Hairst.
Last night Helen Kings, of the Huntly Business Association, said she hoped the new project would bring the wider area together.
The idea, she explained, initially stemmed from Gordon Bell of the Retailer Group, who the council hired to support town centres this year.
Mrs Kings said: “When Covid happened, there were various webinars and when Mr Bell mentioned this app we realised this could be something the town needs.
“It can be a way of keeping track of what businesses in Huntly are doing.
“Town centres across Aberdeenshire have really been hit hard by lockdown.
“It doesn’t just affect Huntly, but also the wider district of small villages – especially where there are a lot of people who run businesses from home. We want to reach as many people as possible.
“It’s been a really difficult few months, but I do hope this can bring the community together and encourage people to shop locally.”
Plans for new website, village map and more outdoor seating in heart of Aboyne
Aboyne is just one Aberdeenshire community where changes are being made to make the town centre more attractive to visitors.
Mid Deeside Community Council and the Aboyne Business Association teamed up to apply for funding from the Scotland’s Town Partership.
They were granted £3,000 which has been match funded with £5,000 awarded from Aberdeenshire Council’s Phoenix Fund.
Together, the teams are exploring various options on how to bolster footfall on the village’s high street.
There are plans for more outdoor seating located near to local businesses, but also to build on improving existing ares – including space around Station Square.
Funds will also go towards creating more signage for local retailers so that cars passing on the A93 Aberdeen to Ballater road will be aware of the options.
Finally, a new village map and “one stop” website to show facilities and businesses is being worked on.
Andrew Fyfe, chairman of Mid Deeside Community Council, said: “Aboyne Business Association, with support from Mid Deeside Community Council, is now actively working on several proposals aimed at enhancing Aboyne for visitors and residents alike and to encourage increased footfall in local businesses as we emerge from the Covid-19 crisis.
It comes as the Huntly Arms Regeneration Project has taken the next step on a journey to save a historic Aboyne hotel from deterioration.
The project hopes to turn the building into a viable business venture.