An Angus businesswoman has put forward ambitious plans to rejuvenate the high street and showcase the work of local artists.
Fiona Laing is trying to establish an Arbroath Artisan Week, which she hopes will become an annual event, whilst at the same time creating a “smokie trail”.
She is keen to get her idea off the ground ahead of next year’s major celebration of the 700th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath.
Fiona runs the successful Victorian market at Christmas, in conjunction with the town’s community council, and is encouraging fellow businesses to become pro-active.
She says she has experienced a drop in footfall in her shop, Heather Cottage Crafts on the high street, following Angus Council’s introduction of parking charges last November.
“With the parking charges killing all the small businesses we are trying to come up with ideas to entice visitors back,” Fiona said.
“I’ve lost lots of out of town customers due to this parking fiasco.
“The council have taken the visitors from us, it’s now up to us to get them back.”
The artisan week would feature local artists in their studios, buskers in the street, poets and writers doing stints in cafes and demonstrations.
Fiona added: “We have such a diverse crafting and artisan culture in Arbroath and we need to showcase it to the rest of the area.
“With the amount of venues Arbroath has to offer we could do pop up plays in various cafes, readings from authors and playwrights and local talent on the high street.”
The ‘smokie trail’ would take visitors to all the smokie houses to see demonstrations of production, as well as historical areas around the harbour and the ‘fit o the toon’.
An Angus Council spokesman said: “Having recently received additional funding of £1.08 million for our town centres, we will be asking our communities for suggestions on how they think this money can improve their high street areas.
“The proposal for an Arbroath Artisan Week is an excellent one and they could explore funding opportunities via the Town Centre Fund for this and associated events.
“A Smokie Trail is also an excellent suggestion that promotes the town’s world renowned delicacy.
“Angus Council produced a Smoke Trail leaflet and we would be happy to work with local business people to renew this initiative.
“Car parking availability does play its part but each shopping thoroughfare, whether pedestrianised, or served by free or paid for on and off street parking, has various factors that influence footfall.
“People can still park on street for free in many parts of our town centres in Angus, but there is now a charge to park in our off-street car parks.”
