Heritage project to improve vitality of Inverness city centre street comes to an end

A project to improve the vitality and viability of a key part of Inverness city centre has come to an end.

The Inverness Townscape Heritage Project was set up six years ago to help regenerate Academy Street.

Its chairman, Inverness councillor Jimmy Gray, says it has been a great success, citing restoration projects such as the historic AI Welders building – formerly the Rose Street Foundry – which played a significant role in the commercial and industrial growth of Inverness.

"A lot of Invernessians identify very strongly with that building," he said.

Other buildings such as the Blackfriars pub and the Phoenix Ale House have also been refurbished while many shop fronts have undergone improvements.

"There was a great need to do this," Cllr Gray said.

"There have been some dramatic improvements in Academy Street.

"There were some important buildings which were in need of investment."

New developments have also taken place in Academy Street including the building of new affordable homes and commercial units on the former Farmfoods store site.

There will be a full evaluation of the project, which has involved public and private funding, in the coming months.

Cllr Gray felt there was still more which could be done.

"That will depend on the owners of buildings and how they see the future going forward," he said.

Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the city centre, Cllr Gray did not feel all the work achieved by the project had been undone.

"I think there will be a different future going ahead," he said.

"I think people are keen to move into buildings where there is a mix of residential and commercial use.

"People will work a lot more from home but will still need an office.

"I am confident things will bounce back."

Related story: Shopfront restoration scheme aims to boost local economy

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