Design experts are being drafted in as part of a bid to kick-start Forfar’s beating heart.
In a new drive to shape a positive future for the town centre, local views are being sought in a creative consultation and engagement programme when it gets under way with a series of workshops later this month.
The programme known as a design charrette is the latest in a series of such initiatives commissioned by Angus Council to engage local residents in conversations about their communities.
Community organisations are now working with the charrette team to develop the brief for the three-day Future Forfar project.
A council spokesperson said various planning and design workshops will give residents an opportunity to work with each other and local agencies with an interest in the future of Forfar town centre.
“The workshops will be led by Pidgin Perfect, a creative studio helping to build better communities across Scotland, bringing planners, architects, artists and other specialist staff together,” a council spokesperson said.
Future Forfar will get under way on Sunday November 22 at a Taste of Forfar session.
“Over the following two days the charrette team will host a series of creative conversations, activities and events exploring community and housing, the high street and retail, and tourism and leisure,” added the spokesperson.
“Everyone who lives or works in Forfar has a contribution to make all opinions and ideas are valid.”
Through the charrette the authority aims to engage as many people and gather as many opinions as possible, to generate long- and short-term ideas for the future of the town centre.
“It will build on work already done by Angus Council and others to develop an understanding of local people’s hopes and aspirations for the town centre.
The Future Forfar charrette will finish on Tuesday November 24 with a report from the delivery team followed by a community music event.
The council added: “The goal is to build commitment from the local community, local businesses and other stakeholders to take forward the vision that emerges and for all to play a part in making it happen.