Jobs boost joy for Dornoch
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DORNOCH is set to enjoy a jobs boost with three new businesses about to start trading at the town’s business park.
Around 13 jobs in total are expected to be created through the opening of a new supermarket along with a fish and chip restaurant and takeaway and a clothing store.
And plans are afoot to form a retailers’ association to promote the park as a vibrant new visitor destination.
Community leaders have welcomed the upsurge of activity at the business park, which is enjoying a new lease of life with all eight plots now sold.
East Sutherland and Edderton councillor Jim McGillivray said: "It’s absolutely excellent to see positive developments happening in the business park and I am delighted."
The new Nisa store will open at the end of March, creating eight jobs. It is operating out of the unit formerly occupied by the now defunct Ink n’ Stuff.
Behind the project is well-known Sutherland businessman John Murray, who already runs Nisa stores in Helmsdale and Balintore.
The shop will feature a butchery department, to be operated by Golspie based firm Robert Grant.
Mr Murray said he had been attracted to the business park for a number of reasons.
"The Dornoch district is the most populated in the whole of Sutherland and has the biggest tourist trade," he explained.
"There is a large caravan site close to the business park and the park itself has good car parking."
Also due to be launched shortly is "Castaway," a 40-seat fish and chip restaurant with takeaway, sited beside existing Fair Trade shop "Simply the Best."
The project is being steered by entrepreneur Shaun Hillin who already runs Sutherland Laundry Service which is also based at the park.
Mr Hillin said that some four jobs would be created as a result of the restaurant and takeaway.
"It’s a very exciting time for the business park and there are now quite a few things for people to come and see."
The third new business at the park will be clothing shop "Labels" selling well-known brands such as Marks and Spencers and Windsmoor at lower prices, as well as vintage and retro clothing.
"Labels" is the second local shop to be established by businesswoman Geraldine Aust who already runs "Elegant Scotland" on Dornoch’s High Street.
She explained: "I started selling clothes last September from the back room of my High Street shop. They sold well and there was such a demand that I decided to open a new shop."
She said she expected to take on one full-time employee and possibly one part-time.
The 1.99 hectare park, located 200 metres to the rear of Cathedral Square, was built some years ago with European Union funding as well as grant aid from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
However, plots were slow to sell and the park has only slowly come to life in recent years.
The three new ventures will join seven existing business: Gunn’s Builder’s Yard; Sutherland Laundry Services; Coco Hair Salon; Simply the Best and the Dornoch Garden Centre which also accommodates Dornoch Tool Hire and florist Budding Genius.
Two years ago Gavin Wright, who runs Simply the Best, dubbed the park "The land the town forgot", saying he was losing thousands of pounds worth of trade because visitors were unaware of the park’s existence.
He criticised the lack of official signs directing visitors to the park.
However, plans are now afoot for retailers to band together to promote the business park and press for better signage.
John Murray revealed: "Plans are on the table for us to join forces so we can market ourselves outwith the area as Dornoch Retail Park. We will also be talking to Highland Council and Dornoch Community Council about getting better signage."
Dornoch Community council chairwoman Yvonne Ross said: "I visited the park the other day for the first time in a while and the place is buzzing. I’m glad that business people want to come to Dornoch and set up in the area. They are bringing visitors and employment to the town."
Calls for action on old slaughterhouse site
THE rise in the number of businesses operating out of Dornoch Business Park has led attention to focus on the redundant slaughterhouse located close to the park entrance.
Formerly operated by Inverurie firm, Scotch Premier Meat, the abattoir closed down in January 2010 with the loss of 29 jobs and an estimated £500,000 in wages to the area.
Retailers at the business park feel the time has come for action to be taken regarding the dilapidated building.
John Murray, who is shortly to open the new Nisa store at the park, said: "It’s just lying there empty and dilapidated. The owners have been asked to demolish certain bits and they have done so."
The Northern Times this week approached Scotch Premier Meat’s parent body, Aberdeen and Northern Marts Group (ANM) regarding the abattoir. A spokesman said: "Our new chief executive, Pat Machray, who has only been in post for three weeks, is considering options for the site."
