Mixed picture on health of Sutherland towns according to new Highland Council survey
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A 'Town Centre Health Check' by Highland Council provides a mixed picture on the health and attractiveness of Brora, Dornoch and Golspie town centres.
Vacancy rates for bsuinesses in Golspie increased from 8.8 per cent in 2018 to 10.3 per cent in 2022.
The town scored relatively well in an on-site qualitative assessment by surveyors , with an aggregated score of 40 out of 55 including a 5/5 score for parking
Members of the public were also surveyed on five key areas giving "Safety and Security" 96 out of a possible 100.
Next, "Accessibility" scored 88, "Pavements and Streets" scored 81, "Retail" scored 69 and "Evening Economy" scored 64.
The town centre scored 398 out of a possible total of 500, giving Golspie a 79.6 per cent public satisfaction rating.
In Brora vacancy rates decreased significantly from 35.7 per cent in 2018 to 18.2 per cent in 2022.
The town scored well in the surveyor's on-site qualitative assessment, with an aggregated score of 45 out of 55 including top scores for public realm, parking and open space and green infrastructure.
However the report added: "It scored less well for cycling facilities and pedestrian friendliness, as it did in 2018, suggesting no improvements have been made."
In the public survey, "Safety and Security" scored the highest out of the five categories with 97 out of a possible 100.
Next, "Accessibility" scored 91, "Pavements and Streets" scored 89, "Retail" scored 64 and "Evening Economy" scored 57.
The town centre scored 398 out of a possible total of 500, giving Brora a 79.6 per cent public satisfaction rating.
Dornoch was described as "one of the healthier town centres" assessed as part of the study though vacancy rates increased from 8.6 per cent in 2018 to 10.8 per cent in 2022.
The town scored relatively well in the surveyor's on-site qualitative assessment, with an aggregated score of 42 out of 55 including 5/5 scores for open space and green infrastructure, tourist appeal and safety and security.
In the public survey, "Safety and Security" scored the highest out of the five categories with 97 out of a possible 100.
Next, "Accessibility" scored 90, "Pavements and Streets" scored 84, "Retail" scored 81 and "Evening Economy" scored 60.
The town centre scored 412 out of a possible total of 500, giving Dornoch an 82.4 per cent public satisfaction rating.
Chairman of Highland Council's economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: “Checking the strength and vitality of our town centres is essential to enable better decision and policy making.
“By presenting detailed information and analysis of the data collected alongside a commentary on each location allows a range of users to access information relevant to them."
You can access the full report, including assessments of town centres across the Highlands, here
