Revamp plans for Academy Street in Inverness are well received by local businesses
New plans to revamp Academy Street have been generally well received by businesses located in the area.
Billy McKechnie, who is the general manager at Rose Street Foundry, said: “I quite like the new plans and I think the city needs it.”
Minette McKechnie, the pub’s operations manager, said: “I think this side of Academy Street has so much to offer but people don’t generally come down this way. If it looks nice and is rejuvenated, it is definitely going to pull more people to this side of town and this side of town is really lovely.”
Alan Cairney, the store manager of Brook Taverner, said: “I am in favour of anything to make it a bit more foot-friendly because it’s an incredibly busy road.”
Paul Bowie, of Ness Music, said: “It would definitely be nice to see the street looking a lot nicer and more attractive for pedestrians to come down into the centre here.”
Jo Murray, the manager of the Victorian Market, said: “I was excited to see that we are looking for a new solution for Academy Street.
“We’ve talked many times about plans for changing Academy Street and the city centre and it is great to see these plans back on the table for consultation.
“I think they look great but I think it is very important that businesses and the residents of Inverness city centre do engage with the consultation process.
“It is important that we hear the views of everybody that uses this street and it will have more success if more people engage with the consultation process.”
Colin Craig, the vice chairman of Inverness BID and the owner of Oil and Vinegar in Union Street, said: “It’s always exciting to see investment coming into the city centre and BID is very supportive of the idea that investment comes to Academy Street – improvements are sorely needed there.”
He added that there had been a fairly mixed response but people were keen to see Academy Street get an upgrade.
