A rare opportunity - retail space available soon on the brae

Although nationally there are lots of empty shops in town centres (just take one look at Inverness), Nairn shops are fully occupied at present. An opportunity is coming up soon however, for potential retailers in Nairn. More details over on the Association of Nairn Businesses site.

A NICE future for Nairn town centre? Your chance to get involved!

Here's a few details from a 'NICE' press release gurnites. As one of the titles of the document states:'Community mobilises to consider alternative options' - that sums it up quite well really, such was the disquiet shown over the Highland Council's flats or more flats plans for the town centre site after the decision of the Co-op not to build a new supermarket. The first paragraph states:

' Local organisation formed: all residents invited to participate

Following Highland Council’s publication of a draft Development Brief for that part of the town centre site for which the Council is responsible adjacent to the properties now owned by the Co-op, local Nairn residents have formed a group to look at options for the redevelopment of this King Street town centre site. At a meeting on Thursday 28 October some thirty concerned residents of Nairn, including representatives of all three Community Councils, the Association of Nairn Businesses, Visit Nairn Tourism Association and a number of interested individuals, decided to establish a Company Limited by Guarantee entitled “Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise” (NICE). Three volunteer founder-directors have been appointed, and all residents of the town of Nairn are invited to join. A website has been set up at http://nairnice.blogspot.com/ .'
A pretty broad section of the Nairn community there, anyone up for membership? It's your chance to really get involved in taking Nairn forward in this new millennium. The NICE press release continues:

' Existing Council proposals “do not reflect local views”

The group came together after a public Ward Forum meeting at which the Council’s draft plan to have the site redeveloped for housing and car parking were robustly rejected as lacking in imagination and inappropriate for this key location. The new organisation, which includes professional town planners and architects as well as members with legal and business experience, has already formed working groups to collate ideas and examine the feasibility of all suggestions. '
There are other paragraphs to the press release document:

'A proper town centre, not a housing estate: public views invited
After ten years of inaction, ten weeks for decision is “unacceptable”
Concern about Council’s intentions: there is “no pressure” for sale
Constructive dialogue and partnership'

It's worth getting involved if you want to see an alternative for Nairn.
To read more go to the NICE website.

An unhappy Co-op shopper drops us a line

A Gurnite has just sent us the following wee note:

'Been in about 4 times since it reopened (still not finished) and am disgusted at the rise in prices, less of a choice, shelves which seem not as deep as the old ones and far less shelf space so less stock, fewer freezers infact it seems that we have been royaly shafted by the Co-op. The wife states that she will now shop out of town and I don't think she will be the only one. roll on Sainsburys.'

Meanwhile there are complaints up at the Tradespark Co-op that the new store is a bit disabled unfriendly now with not enough space between the aisles for disabled shoppers, these complaints surfaced at the last meeting of the Suburban CC but Cll John Mackie did complement the Co-op on the wider selection of goods now available in that store.

Inbhir Narann - Sgrìob mun cuairt na h-aibhne air latha foghair geal grianach

A walk around the river on a bright sunny autumn day.
Thanks to Cuideag for these pictures taken on Sunday. Individual pictures can be seen here.

The retention of RAF Lossiemouth - Alex Salmond puts the case

Lossiemouth FC's biggest home crowd of the season was introduced to the First Minister by Colin McGregor (former Tornado pilot and brother of the trainspotting star). Also to speak were Annabel Goldie, Iain Gray and Tavish Scott plus the local MP & MSP, etc.

Nairn Swimming Pool soon to be at 'arms length' ?

The P&J reports:

'Highland councillors will this week be asked to approve the next step in a process which could see the area’s culture and leisure facilities being run by a new charitable organisation.
The local authority is looking at outsourcing about £20million of services, including museums, swimming pools, libraries and community centres.'

There would be bonuses if this goes ahead. The Council would set up a company with charitable status that could avoid rates and qualify for funding that the council would be unable to access. What would happen however if that company then decided at some point in the future to close some pools? Would any potential discussion with the community also be at 'arms length'? Read the full article on the P&J here. Do we lose democratic accountability in the management of culture and leisure facilities?

RAF Lossiemouth march and rally - Alex Salmond and Colin McGregor speaking to local radio

Save RAF Lossiemouth march - pictures

More pictures now on the Gurnflickr pages.

More pictures now on the Gurn Flickr pages. A massive show of support for the RAF today.

Over 7,000 on the march to day in Lossiemouth. Here's Sandy who was on the march representing the Highland Council area. More pictures now on the Gurnflickr pages. A strong message goes to London from this march and rally. If the Condems go ahead and shut Lossie down they will have a massive price to pay at the ballot box for years to come.

Keith 2 Nairn 3

The County climb the table again. Match report here on Highlandleague.net and here's a slideshow of club photographer Donald Matheson's pictures. For a larger scale slideshow click here or for individual pictures click here.

Nairn County FC - Chairman's report

Click the picture to enlarge. ( apologies for the quality the image was taken in the morning gloom) Peter mulls over some of the challenges faced in his 11th year as Chairman of the club. Let's hope the weather is a little friendlier this season and that the improved performance on the park encourages more fans to make the trip up to Station Park over the winter. Peter's philosophy over his 11 years of stewardship has ensured that the club has not incurred any debt, the Wee County may not be top-league but at least it's reality football up there over the other side of the tracks.

Update: good news for the Wee County today, they win away at Keith - Keith 2 Nairn 3. That takes them up to 6th position in the league and that leaves a gap of seven points between them and the league leaders.