JAMIE ROSS
Two new centres offering new skills and training to vulnerable residents of a north east town are to open.
The move is seen as key progress in the regeneration of Fraserburgh.
In a report that went before councillors earlier this week, Stephen Archer, Aberdeenshire Council’s chief of infrastructure, said: “The aim is to make sure the most vulnerable can access services and get accredited advice, information, support and training appropriate to their needs/circumstances, including digital skills.”
The centre will be run by the local authority, the town’s development trust and Fraserburgh College.
Mary Melville, vice-chairwoman of Fraserburgh’s community council, welcomed the development and said jobs were a key factor in turning around the fortunes of the ailing town.
Ms Melville said: “Most people are going to be very supportive of it. Regeneration is not just about improving shops and streets – we need cultural and social regeneration as well getting people to feel good about Fraserburgh.
“I just hope they succeed, it certainly won’t do any harm. Trying to help people can only be a good thing.”
The centres will be based in Broad Street and Saltoun Square and will cost £93,000 to set up.
Last night, a spokesman for the council said that they would open “in the near future”.
“Partners are currently moving into the premises and we will have a formal launch in the near future,” he said.
Regeneration projects already up and running in Fraserburgh include the Retail Plus programme to improve shop frontages and the roll-out of a smartphone app that offers discount deals and information on local businesses.