More than 40 retailers from Banff and Macduff have teamed up to discuss how they can boost trade.
At a meeting organised as part of the Retail Plus scheme, which aims to regenerate town centres, businesses were given a presentation on how they could change their stores’ frontages and layout to attract more customers.
The scheme, launched in September, offers businesses the chance to get expert advice from retail tsars and apply for up to £2,000 of funding from Aberdeenshire Council.
Des Cheyne, managing director of Banff’s Spotty Bag Shop, last night said the initiative was welcome.
He said: “There has been fantastic support and people seem quite upbeat about it all. It can only be good for the area.”
Aberdeenshire Council town centre officer Sarah Crowe said she was pleased to see an excellent turnout at the meeting, adding: “Retailers in the area are clearly not only committed to developing their business but also recognise the need to work in partnership with each other to help make Banff and Macduff the destination of choice for local shoppers.”
Banff councillor Michael Roy added: “It’s very early, but uptake has been tremendous. I would expect a huge change in the fortunes of trade if it continues.”
Efforts to regenerate town centres across the north-east have dominated council agendas over the past year.
The Aberdeenshire 4 Towns Report, presented to councillors from Banff, Macduff, Peterhead and Fraserburgh earlier this year, had stressed the need to support local traders.