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29
June 2005
Work began this week on the new shopping complex situated n the outskirts
of Wick. The new complex that will have seven units with the two
main shops being Homebase and Argos. With Tescos planning
application about to begin the process Wick will in a very short time have
some of the most modern shopping facilities outside Inverness.
Suddenly the tide is changing in Wick's favour. It has been
recognised for some time that a town with an airport, harbour and railhead
is ideally situated to make an economic come back. Few other small
towns have all three forms of transport facilities on their doorstep.
With roads to the far north being improved Wick is likely to be on of the
places to be or to visit in coming years. the wick Harbour Trust
will become Wick Harbour Authority on 1 July with new powers to be more
business like. Another group is looking to take on the opportunities
for investment around the harbour. Waterfront property in many parts
of Scotland have risen in value as new developments take place. Wick
may also see this knock on effect once things begin to change. The
developments in Lower Pulteneytown are halting the decline of the former
fishing port area and the improvements are still happening. The
Blackstairs improvements will flow into the harbour over the next few
months. Telford Street and Williamson Street developments have shown
what can be done. New jobs are coming for example in the Wick
business Park - a new dental training unit. It may be taking
longer than some people expected but it is on its way. The harbour
has what is virtually a new pier at �3.5 million just completed and work
is now in progress on Shore Street to permanently fix the storm ravaged
section from the Wick Laundry towards the North Pier. Once that
problem is fixed it makes it possible for any development along that area
to be more likely.
The Homebase shopping centre is yet another sign that Wick is seen as a
place with plenty of potential. With Tescos following and confirming
that a petrol station is now part of their plans Wick is undoubtedly about
to see a new phase in its economic development after many years of
decline. When the turn comes it often comes fast and the gun has
been fired for this particular race. Homebase - Argos - Tescos
may be just the start. Some of the traffic to Inverness may at last
be about to change direction. |
