Fort William High Street shortlisted

Town improvements spark award nomination

Fort William Town Team says it is delighted that the town’s High Street has been shortlisted in the category for SURF’s Scotland’s Most Improved Place.

The entry focused on the huge improvements made in the town centre in recent years, including better public spaces in Gordon Square and Cameron Square, increased social housing, the redevelopment of the old primary and secondary schools, the installation of the pontoons and, of course, the formation of the Town Team itself.

The entry describes how the transformation has been achieved by teamwork between local and national businesses, volunteers and the council.

The two other shortlisted projects are Dundee Central Waterfront and Westray Development Trust.

Sue Keen, secretary of the Town Team, who spearheaded the entry, said that it was ‘fabulous’ that all the hard work done by the whole community to improve the High Street has been recognised.

And, commenting on the shortlisting, Sarah Kennedy of Fort William Marina and Shoreline Company, told us: ‘We are delighted to hear that Fort William High Street has been shortlisted for the SURF Awards.

‘All the different groups have made a huge difference to the town and it is so nice that all our hard work and personal time devoted to this wee town is being recognised. Fingers crossed that Fort William will win the award.’

Highland Council Lochaber leader Councillor Andrew Baxter called it a ‘fantastic’ achievement for the Town Team.

‘The nomination is a recognition of how working together can make a big difference,’ he said.

‘Fort William is almost unrecognisable from a decade ago with so many areas regenerated and being used again. We’ve still got a long way to go but I am confident we have a bright future ahead.’

The judges will be visiting Fort William on Friday October 26 to see the High Street for themselves and to talk to the community about the achievements made.

The winner will be announced at The 2018 SURF Awards presentation dinner at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow, on December 6.

Fort William Town Team was set up in July 2014 and is a community organisation of more than 60 volunteers who are all passionate about maintaining and regenerating Fort William High Street and surrounding areas for the benefit of residents and visitors.

‘All the different groups have made a huge difference to the town’