Councillors are expected to agree another £35,000 of grant funding for a north-east regeneration scheme when they meet this week.
Fraserburgh was named an “area of most need” by Aberdeenshire Council two years ago and has been the focus of a package of economic and social projects, including the award-winning Super Saturday scheme, which brings together stallholders for a monthly market in Broad Street.
However, when local councillors met last month, the success of Super Saturday and other regeneration events was questioned.
Chief among the critics’ concerns was the ongoing dearth of jobs in Fraserburgh.
Now in a report to members of the local authority’s policy and resources committee, regeneration officers Bill Clark and Gillian Bain have recommended that councillors back the scheme with a further £36,500 to the end of the 2017 financial year.
The Super Saturday report states: “Over the past two years, it has grown and developed with stalls now oversubscribed.
“Local businesses show their support by running promotions aligned with the Super Saturday dates and the public continue to attend in considerable numbers, leading to events which are inclusive and accessible to all ages.”
The regeneration team said the event had “led to an improved sense of local pride” and should be lauded for including the significant migrant population.
Super Saturday is overseen by the Fraserburgh Development Trust, which works with local volunteers who help subsidise the events.
The local authority’s infrastructure chief, Stephen Archer, added: “Without the significant contribution from volunteers, the events would not only be much more expensive but probably could not run at all.
“A degree of financial support, considerably reduced from previous years, is therefore requested to maintain the activity for a further two years.”
If funding is approved, the council officers involved in organising Super Saturday will begin drawing up an “exit strategy” in the hope it can become financially independent.
Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s policy and resources committee will meet at Woodhill House in Aberdeen on Thursday to discuss the funding.