Trailblazers' regeneration vision for Dufftown backed by Scotland’s Towns Partnership chief Phil Prentice
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE trailblazing team behind a long-term vision to reinvigorate Dufftown has won backing from the head of Scotland’s Towns Partnership.
Scores of Dufftown locals and business owners this week took the opportunity to meet the faces of community regeneration company Truerlein, which launched an ambitious drive to reposition the town as Speyside's "beating heart" back in February.
People from the local community were invited to drop in at Mortlach Memorial Hall on Monday and Tuesday, June 14 and 15, to learn more about Dufftown: A New Dawn.
Working closely with Dufftown and Mortlach Development Trust and the community, Truerlein's aim is to create a thriving environment for townsfolk and visitors, generate opportunities for local talent through supporting and opening businesses, maximise tourism potential and build civic pride.
One of the initiative's founding directors, Ross McGinn, put it: "We're taking the personality of the town and letting it bloom."
The project team has been making swift headway since opening their first business, The Lunchbox, four weeks ago.
They now have a master butcher in place to fill the shoes of local shop owner Gordon McIntosh, who is retiring after four decades running GC McIntosh. Fraser Mackinnon started his new role at the shop on Wednesday, working alongside the present owner for a fortnight before Gordon steps into retirement. A revamp of the shop is also planned.
In mid-July they will launch their Dufftown chip shop at the D&J Chip Shop premises, whose owners have also been winding down for retirement. New manager Graham Nicol, who has 25 years' experience running chip shops in Huntly and Forres, is looking forward to his new challenge. The chipper will also be given a refresh and new equipment installed after a soft launch period.
The Truerlein team is also in final-stage talks over a takeover of the Stuart Arms Bar and Restaurant, which they hope to revamp with a contemporary, country feel. They are also looking to get two restaurants off the ground – one geared towards families and the other a high-end fine-dining establishment offering local best produce.
The team's "unique concept" won praise from Phil Prentice, chief officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, who visited the town on Monday alongside Laurie Piper, Visit Moray Speyside chief executive, who has backed its "Destination Dufftown" plans.
Mr Prentice said: "The work by and vision from Truerlein is impressive – as are all of those involved. They’re showing real innovation, are making good things happen and I’ve enjoyed learning more about the project.
"This is about people doing something positive and proactive for the betterment of their community. They are trying to make a difference now and for the next generation. They want their children to be able to set up businesses in Dufftown and raise their families here too.
"In many ways this is a unique concept, which we at Scotland’s Towns Partnership are happy to support and encourage. It’s really interesting. If it could be scaled up across the country it’s a model that could prove attractive to investors."
Mr Piper said Dufftown was uniquely positioned to make a significant contribution to Moray Speyside's tourism future as the capital of Malt Whisky Country. He added: "We welcome the opportunity to support not only the Destination Dufftown campaign but all efforts to support the rebuilding of the region’s tourism industry.
"A strong brand and a cohesive, collaborative place-based approach to marketing and promotion of the town as part of the wider region is an important element in our destination marketing toolkit."
Mr McGinn said the team were encouraged by the positive public engagement at the event.
He added: "Naturally, some people coming in can be sceptical and once we explain the plans and they see that we're helping retain these sort of foundation businesses, albeit at better quality and with resilience built in so they're not just going to be here and close, it's a reassurance.
"We've had people coming in saying 'well actually, I've got an idea', and that's exactly what we're trying to engender. We're not here to buy every unit in the high street. We're here to stimulate and ignite the latent energy that is around the place. We're hopefully creating that environment in which people can really follow their dreams and build some businesses that last."
Colin Corson, operations manager food and beverage, said the whole town was excited about the chip shop and butcher shop plans, adding: "They now have that security that they're still going to have a butchers, because Gordon has wanted to retire for a long time, and there has been that fear in the area that when Gordon goes the town will lose its butchers. So for us to be able to continue that tradition for Dufftown was hugely important for people.
"The people of Dufftown have really missed having the chip shop open seven days as Dot and John, the previous owners, wind down. We aim to have the best chip shop in the north – if not the whole of Scotland. That's our dream and I think we've got the guy to do that for us.
"Our model is that we don't own these businesses long-term. We want to give the people who come in and manage them on our behalf the opportunity to take them on from us.
"We're equally as passionate about supporting existing businesses to help them succeed. There's no point us opening a business and another failing – that's not regeneration. Everything we do has to be complementary to existing businesses and we'd like them to come on board so we can improve everything about the town."
Truerlein's heritage manager, Dr Peter Bye-Jensen, is currently looking into the area's folklore and old traditions. He said: "One of the most important things here is the very rich heritage. We are trying to work with that and amplify some of the offerings that are being forgotten.
"We're trying to get what's already here back on the map."
Jenna Petit-Keighley, head of communications and marketing, said: "We've been surprised at just how many latent entrepreneurs are out there, who haven't ever been able to make their dream a reality. We're taking down some of the huge fundamental barriers for them starting that journey.
"I think Dufftown in two years is going to be a very different place. It's really exciting."
Also read: Dufftown regeneration company Truerlein marks first major milestone with opening of The Lunchbox
