New vision to transform struggling Inverness city centre
A MAJOR expansion of the Victorian Market forms the centrepiece of plans intended to transform the look and fortunes of Inverness city centre.
Pedestrianised areas are earmarked for Station Square and Farraline Park, while an iconic piece of public art could be installed at the junction of Chapel Street and Friars Bridge under proposals expected to be approved by councillors on Monday.
Several other changes — including a new student hub and union, high-rise business district and renovated library — are outlined in the Inverness City Centre Development Brief, which has been months in preparation and is seen as key to addressing the threat posed by out-of-town retail parks.
The Victorian Market would be enlarged by extending into existing buildings next to all four of its entrances, creating a central space and installing a mezzanine floor in the Market Hall.
"It is Inverness’s secret weapon," said David Haas, the council’s Inverness city manager. "We would want to preserve its eclectic appeal and uniqueness but at the same time make the best use of it by providing a platform for business growth so it can become even more of a focal point."
Opening times would be extended to attract cafes and restaurants into the market and live music encouraged to create a more vibrant feel.
The report, which divides the city centre into five key districts, acknowledges change is needed to attract more shoppers and tourists. Academy Street in particular is described as being under "physical and economic stress".
The brief was welcomed yesterday by Mike Smith, manager of the Inverness Business Improvement District, which will work with the council to help bring the plans to fruition.
"We have been involved in this since the beginning and think the final document is excellent," he said. "It does what it sets out to do and underpins things for the whole area. It addresses issues and implementation. It is a comprehensive move forward."
He added: "Inverness doesn’t have a strong tourism hub, but we see the Victorian Market and surrounding area as developing into that."
The document also suggests removing parking spaces from Station Square and installing a transparent roof, while long held plans to take through traffic off Academy Street could be realised once the Inverness bypass is completed.
The iconic public art could be a statue or a building and act as a gateway to the city. It would stand beside a 166-bedroom four-star hotel on the site of the former Glebe Street swimming pool, but if planning permission for the hotel is not renewed before it expires in January, the area could be instead developed for residential, business or tourism use.
"Whether it is an artwork or a wonderful well-designed building, it will make a physical statement, which is very important," said Mr Haas. "It will show the city attracts investment and vibrancy."
"We want to create a momentum for development."
Reducing city centre traffic congestion is another target, with park and ride facilities planned on the eastern outskirts of the city off the A96, at Torvean as part of the bypass project and on the northern outskirts off the A9.
