The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Plan to capitalise on John O’Groats tourism surge
Bid to attract investors to develop square and open harbour shops
Ambitious expansion plans have been unveiled to regenerate John O’Groats as a major tourist attraction.
Heritage GB and Natural Assets have appointed Shepherd Chartered Surveyors and Strutt and Parker as joint agents to attract new developers to the area, with a major focus on bringing retail outlets to the harbour area and developing a pedestrian square.
A masterplan has also been developed with a view to increasing accommodation, introducing artisan projects including a microbrewery and distillery, as well as developing new housing and a playpark.
No figure on investment has been revealed, but it is set to run into millions of pounds.
John O’Groats is a popular tourist destination famous for lying on the north-eastern point of one end of the longest distance between two inhabited points on the British mainland, with Land’s End in Cornwall lying 876 miles to the south-west.
As a destination, John O’Groats has benefited significantly from the Natural Retreats’ development and regeneration in recent years.
The North Coast 500 has also proven highly successful with both the domestic and international markets.
John O’Groats and the wider region is also starting to see the economic benefits of Meygen’s long-term commitment to developing tidal energy within the Pentland Firth.
To date, as part of HIEbacked multimillion-pound regeneration of the area, 23 luxury Natural Retreats residences were launched in 2012.
“John O’Groats is very much enjoying a surge in popularity”
The Storehouse and Last House-Outfitters also opened in 2012 and the restoration and eye-catching Norse-style extension of the hotel, originally built in 1875, into The Inn at John O’Groats opened in 2013. Outline planning consent is now in place for a masterplan development.
Sandy Rennie, partner in the Inverness office of Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, said: “Expressions of interest are sought from third-party investors, including developers, operators and any potential tenants.
“This is a unique opportunity to invest in an iconic location within the UK and capitalise on the tourist trade within Scotland, which has gone from strength to strength, particularly the success of the North Coast 500 route which has rapidly established itself as one of the most scenic driving routes in the world.”
Euan MacCrimmon, at Strutt & Parker, added: “We are very excited about the appointment and opportunity, particularly given that John O’Groats is very much enjoying a surge in popularity, following the last five years of large-scale new developments.”