The Westport area of Arbroath could make a break for “independence” from the seaside town.
A meeting on January 24 will discuss a plan to take the concept forward of promoting the Westport “as a separate entity”.
Jean Stewart said the area would be promoted as “Westport Village” for “marketing purposes” as it has the most enterprising and individual businesses in the area.
The idea has already generated interest, with many of the area’s independent retailers getting behind the innovative project.
Mrs Stewart, former owner of Brewhouse and Sugar and Spice, is behind the idea which was discussed during the Arbroath Charette process last year.
She said if there is enthusiasm for the idea she would be happy to look at sources of funding for improved signage and street furniture.
“I carried out a leaflet drop but it is too early to say what the response is yet,” she said.
“This is only my personal opinion but if we start small with one area of the town and get it freshened up and make it really appealing for visitors when they step off the train it must have a knock on effect.
“A tidy cheery street must make the locals smile too and surely that is what it is all about.
“Happy people will part with money in a nice environment and in this day of internet shopping this ‘village’ atmosphere could be the way to fight back.”
The Westport area of Arbroath is packed with independent retailers such as coffee shops, bakeries, food outlets and gift shops.
Arbroath was the focus for a major locally driven design charrette in February 2016.
A charrette is an intensive consultation that engages local people in shaping the future of their community.
The Arbroath Charrette gathered local opinions, ideas and aspirations, to deliver a vision of what the community wants for the town centre.
The public, designers and specialists worked together to prepare a long term vision, development framework and action plan, with the ideas translated into plans and drawings.
A history of independent thought
“Independence” is something that is at the heart of the very history of Arbroath.
The Declaration of Arbroath is the most famous document in Scottish history.
Like the American Declaration of Independence, it is seen by many as the founding document of the Scottish nation.
It was drafted on April 6 1320 and was sent to Pope John XXII in April/May 1320.
It was most likely drafted in the scriptorium of Arbroath Abbey by Abbot Bernard on behalf of the nobles and barons of Scotland.
It was one of three letters sent to the Pope in Avignon, the other two being from King Robert Bruce himself and from four Scottish bishops, attempting to abate papal hostility.
The document received the seals of several Scottish barons and it then was taken to the papal court at Avignon in France by Sir Adam Gordon.
