David Urquhart, chairman of the Elgin Business Improvement District (BID), has urged all interested parties to come to the meeting at 6.15pm on Monday, April 13 in the Laichmoray Hotel. Moray MSP Richard Lochhead will be guest speaker at the meeting.

This will be the first meeting of the steering group since Moray Council's decision to reject a new £20 million out-of-town retail park at Linkwood Road.

Planning officials' recommended approval of the development at the former Morayshire Sawmills site prompted one leading businessman and BID member, Graeme Mackenzie, to quit in protest at what he saw as Moray Council's potential undermining of the town-centre project.

The developers behind that development have lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government.

Mr Urquhart said that the aim of the BID group is to attract a variety of new retailers from various sectors to the city centre.

"Elgin city centre is the heart and soul of the local community, and must continue to offer visitors and locals alike a pleasurable, vibrant and welcoming environment," he added.

Mr Urquhart, who is joint managing director of wine and spirits merchant Gordon and MacPhail, said the group wants to make Elgin a "must-visit shopping destination".

A business plan is being prepared, and Mr Urquhart said that more than 30 people have been attending the monthly steering group meetings.

"To date we have received tremendous support from local businesses. I would encourage other businesses to get involved so that we can all work collectively to help ensure Elgin city centre thrives now and in the future," he said.

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