Progress on works for the dualling of the A96, the official opening of Ardersier Port and a positive outcome on the tourist levy debate are among the things Nairn representatives are looking forward to in 2025.
A strengthening of local representation for Nairnshire on a Highland and Scotland-wide level is also on the wishlist.
Provost Laurie Fraser.
Nairn Provost Laurie Fraser is among those hoping for a decentralisation of decision-making power.
Earlier this year, he was among councillors who supported an unsuccessful motion suggesting Highland Council should be replaced by more local representative bodies.
“I am looking forward to a fresh start for Nairn,” he said, talking about his hopes for the new year.
”A Bypass, good job opportunities with the expected opening of Ardersier Port by Haventus as well as an opportunity to break out from Highland Council. The motion was turned down, but we live in hope.”
He added that a win for Nairn County was also something he hopes to see in 2025.
Dr Alastair Noble.
Similarly calling for a step up in local democracy is Alastair Noble, chairman of Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise (NICE) and a member of the steering group behind Nairn’s new local place plan.
“Can we deliver the ‘Independent Kingdom of Nairnshire’?” he said, jokingly.
“How best do we deliver local democracy? 2024 has been a remarkably busy and demanding year, during which we worked hard to deliver our Community Led Local Place Plan.
“The Scottish Government and Highland Council were clearly saying that local communities had been given the right to decide their own future. This clearly supports local democracy as opposed to central dictatorship which clearly is not and never can work.”
He said that communities need to get behind the projects that matter to them in order to see progress happening.
“The good news is that is happening,” he said, adding that a leadership/delivery group for the local place plan is being put together, which will involve the council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and NHS Highland alongside “the voice of Nairnshire” – including Nairn BID, big businesses, community councils, local volunteers and charities.
“The big ask is for more local jobs and a green sustainable circular economy based on the model of Nairn as a county town with its rural hinterland,” he continued.
“We can deliver new industrial/commercial sites around Grigorhill and Nairn South/sawmill to deliver both an expansion of new jobs and existing businesses. This will include training and UHI courses to allow our young people to train and work in Nairnshire.
“There are exciting and deliverable options for town centre regeneration including housing available for all those on lower incomes.”
Maintaining and enhancing Nairn’s “world-class” tourist industry, as well as improving and strengthening Nairn Common Good’s governance, and continuing to build on its local health and social care model – as well as preventing further housing development to be approved before essential infrastructures are developed first, are also among hopes for the year ahead.
“Last but not least the bypass – it must be delivered,” he concluded.
“This is all deliverable and an independent greater Nairnshire with ‘fair share budgets’ per head of population will drive productivity and value for money. Nairnshire can be a model for Highland and Scotland going forward if we all work together. Nowhere is better placed to deliver.”
Lucy Harding (left) with local councillor Babs Jarvie.
The growth of local business and footfall is a shared goal for Nairn BID.
Lucy Harding, Nairn BID manager, said the team wants to build on the successes of 2024.
She said: “Last year, we once again ran three core events -Taste of Nairn, Wheels of Nairn and the Countdown to Christmas – and these were definitely our biggest and best to date.
“This year, we hope to encourage more Nairn businesses to get involved in Taste of Nairn, increase the size of Wheels of Nairn and have a bigger entertainment offering for the Christmas Lights Switch On.
“In terms of our members, we need to continue to engage with them and make sure we are representing them in the best way possible. We got a lot more opt-in members in 2024 and it would be good to grow that side of the BID in the year ahead too.”
She said that advocating for its members with regard to the new visitor levy is top of her list.
“As part of representing our members, we will also continue to ensure that we keep abreast of what matters to the businesses and people in the town and make sure, where necessary, that the right organisations are contacted or taken to task if they are not delivering for our businesses,” she added.
Other key projects are also on the cards.
She said: “We are looking forward to the Nairn Academy building progressing and for the Nairn BID team to continue working with the school.
“With regard to the A96, we will watch the progress on this closely and will always advocate and share any news that we have.”