Future Forfar Presentation

Page 1

F Future Forfar: A series of creative conversations, activities and events to explore the future of Forfar Towncentre.

Engagement Statistics Throughout the Future Forfar consultation programme Pidgin Perfect gathered information from participants which has been anonymised to provide the following statistics. The following diagrams demonstrate the breadth and inclusion of the programme.

Pre-Charrette Engagement Prior to the charrette itself, a number of key stakeholders, businesses and community groups within Forfar were engaged to help promote the charrette amongst local residents and ensure people had a clear understanding of the charrettes aims.

Participant Gender Split

Female: 51% Male: 49%

Social Media Engagement

Charrette Engagement

In order to engage participants and share progress of the consultation programme with the wider Forfar community, social media was used throughout the project. This also enabled us to further promote the workshops and events amongst participants, without using costly advertising. A special @FutureForfar twitter account was set up so local residents knew where to find out further information about the charrette.

The following data is a record of participants who took part in the five charrette workshops. The statistics reflect the diverse population engaged.

3

Day engagement programme

152

Drop-In Sessions

5

Tweets mentioning #FutureForfar

Charrette workshops held

244

54

210

1000s

Re-tweets

Total number of participants engaged in across the charrette workshops

Likes

Drop-in sessions held across three days

Participant Age Range

20

2 Events held to mark the beginning and the end of Future Forfar

Likes

1

60

Empty shop unit used to promote Future Forfar

People who came into the shop for a chat and a cuppa

216

100s

People engaged pre-charrette

100s

of flyers distributed

Across the three days, seven informal drop-in sessions were held in a vacant shop space on West High Street. The shop space provided a vital public platform, raising awareness of the project with Forfar’s residents, regardless of whether they actively engaged in the charrette. It also provided a venue for the launch event and closing party.

7

of opinions, ideas & responses

Facebook Posts

Days spent in Forfar pre-charrette

Female: 52% Male: 48%

5 26

Participant Gender Split

of people stopped to look in the window and find out more about Future Forfar <16

16-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

12%

18%

3%

24%

27%

12%

Under 16

45-54

16-24

55-64

65-74

over 75

25-34

65-74

taken from participants who chose to disclose their age. 21 participants chose not to disclose their age.

6% 25-34

3%

Over 75

Pre-charrette Engagement F uture Forfar A series of creative conversations, activities and events to explore the future of Forfar Town Centre

F uture Forfar A series of creative conversations, activities and events to explore the future of Forfar Town Centre

Name: Postcode: Email: Twitter:

Forfar’s best kept secret is...

My favourite place in Forfar is...

In the evenings in Forfar, I like to...

In the daytime in Forfar, I like to...

In your eyes where does Forfar Town Centre start and finish? What are the important elements that make it a Town Centre?

What are the biggest issues facing the Town Centre? Why, and how do they affect you personally?

What are the biggest assets and opportunities in Forfar? Why, and how do they affect you personally?

What are the ways you could work as part of a community and with Angus Council to address these issues?

About Future Forfar

F

Future Forfar is a series of creative conversations, activities and events to explore the future of Forfar Town Centre. Across three days the local community of Forfar will collaborate with architects, planners, artists and other experts to explore how Forfar Town Centre can be improved and develop an action plan for a Future Forfar. Everyone is welcome. Please join us! Booking is not required for any of the activities at the Future Forfar Cafe and Workshop – just turn up! There will always be someone around during the Drop In times at the Future Forfar Cafe to welcome you, listen and record your comments. – Follow, post and share on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using: #FutureForfar

Future Forfar A series of creative conversations, activities and events to explore the future of Forfar Town Centre

@futureforfar | @AngusCouncil | @pidginperfect | @NickWright1 | @williemiller pidginperfect.com | nickwrightplanning.co.uk | willemiller.co.uk

Schedule for Future Forfar Cafe

Schedule for Future Forfar Workshop

Programme of events in 3 East High Street...

What to expect at 132 East High Street... - A warm welcome and a unique space for open discussion. - An opportunity to review, comment and question. - An informal structure and relaxed environment. - Plenty of tea, coffee, soft drinks and locally made baked goods!

Sunday 22nd November F 12:00 – 14:00 ‘A Taste of Forfar’ Official launch Event with food by Forfar Cooking Club and special entertainment by DD8 Music. We’re kicking off Future Forfar by bringing the local community together and we want you to join us! Monday 23rd November 09:30 - 11:30 Cereal Cafe & Drop In 13:00 - 14:00 Lunchtime Drop In 19:00 - 21:00 Game Night & Drop In Tuesday 24th November 09:30 - 11:30 Coffee Morning & Drop In 13:00 - 14:00 Lunchtime Drop In 19:00 - 21:00 F Open Mic Night & Drop In

Locations

Sunday 22nd November 14:30 – 17:30 An introduction to Future Forfar - Presentations and discussions Monday 23rd November 10.00 - 12.30 How can we attract more visitors investors and business to Forfar? - How can we create more opportunities for business and enterprise? - How can we attract more visitors to the Town Centre? - How can we make more of Forfar’s heritage and culture? - What should we do about vacant buildings? If you are a business owner, run a social enterprise and are passionate about culture, heritage and tourism this will be of interest!

Acknowledgements Future Forfar is a joint project and initiative between Pidgin Perfect, Nick Wright Planning and Willie Miller Urban Design, Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Stirling University Institute of Retail Studies to explore future of Forfar Town Centre.

ˆ Cafe ˆ Workshop | 3 East High Street | 132 East High Street

The Future Forfar Cafe is located in the former ‘Treasured Gifts’ shop at 3 East High Street. It is adjacent to The Cross and just next to the Post Office. Look out for the Future Forfar logos in the shop window! The Future Forfar Workshop is located behind the red door at 132 East High Street at the Forfar Dramatic Society. The entrance is next to the British Red Cross Charity Shop. Look out for the Future Forfar sandwich board on the High Street! No booking required. Light catering from local businesses provided. Creche facilities available.

16.00 - 18.30 How do we make the Town Centre better for the people of Forfar? - How can the Town Centre work better as the heart of the local community? - How could it more welcoming for people of all ages? - How can Forfar offer a better experience of leisure, culture and entertainment in the evenings? - How can the local communities of Forfar work together to create positive change in the Town Centre and in Forfar? - How can Forfar be a more attractive place for people to live and raise their families? If you are a resident or an active member of community groups supporting health and wellbeing in Forfar then this will be of interest! Tuesday 24th November 10.00 - 12.30 How can we improve the Town Centre, streets and outdoor spaces? - What should the balance be between people and vehicles? - How could we make streets and spaces more enjoyable to spend time in? - Which spaces and places that should be a focus?

Future Forfar is a Town Centre Design Charrette. This Charrette is a collaborative process which asks the public, local partners and professionals, ‘ How do we make the Town Centre even better?’ and will lead to further actions for Forfar Town Centre. Future Forfar is funded by Angus Council.

– With special thanks to; Forfar Dramatic Society, Pitstop, Forfar Cooking Club, DD8 Music, Glenview Community Group, Forfar in Flower, St. Margarets Church, Padanaram Action Group, Angus Cycling Club, CTC Tayside, Voluntary Action Angus, Lordburn RP Action Group, Forfar OAP Society and the many more organisations, community groups and individuals of Forfar who have helped make Future Forfar possible.

- What are the opportunities and challenges to the Town Centre brought by the Community Campus? - What type of activities and events would you like to take place at The Cross? This will interest residents, community groups, businesses and those with ideas about green space, outdoor events, transport, traffic, parking, walking and cycling. 16.00 - 18.30 F A vision for Future Forfar? - Presentations and discussions - An opportunity to catch up on the conversations, activities and events so far! - Special presentations from the public, community groups, local partners and invited professionals. - Creating timeline for action - Storytelling and imagining Future Forfar from different perspectives - Exploring the local appetite and capacity to take action and make changes in Forfar. This will interest EVERYONE and we encourage you to join us at the Future Forfar Cafe at 19:00 for our Open Mic night!

F

These events are aimed at bringing people together from across the community. All welcome!

Uncovering Your Values and Aspirations F What do you value in your town centre?

Special Occasion

Dear Future Fofar

Monthly

My fondest memory of Forfar is

Weekly My favourite place in Forfar is

because

D a il y I hope that in the future Forfar will

Lots of Love Age Range : Under 16 16 - 24

25 - 34

35 - 44

45 - 54

Personalise me

55 - 64

65 - 74

Over 75

Dear Future Fofar My fondest memory of Forfar is

My favourite place in Forfar is

because

I hope that in the future Forfar will

Lots of Love Age Range : Under 16 16 - 24

25 - 34

35 - 44

45 - 54

55 - 64

65 - 74

Over 75

What is your greatest aspiration for life in Forfar?

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Summary of people’s impressions • Lack of a sense of cohesion in the community • Feeling of under development • Lack of things to do in the towncentre that meets people’s interest • Sense of a lack of collective action and activity

USP Corroborating Research • Comparatively more older couples with no children • Fewer charity shops per head implying less community cohesion • Comparatively fewer shops and job opportunities than other similar sized towns implying less activity • Difficulty to compete with the pull of the out of town shopping • Something distinct therefore is needed to place the towncentre in peoples minds to draw them there

So how do we respond to these?

Vision for Future Forfar Create a Buzz Forfar Town Centre needs more BUZZ about it, primarily by encouraging local people to stay loyal to their Town: to visit the town centre more often, to stay there longer, for work, shopping, meeting and eating and this should be achieved by focusing on developing: • A Distinctive Character by enhancing Forfar’s underlying unique features such as buildings, shopfronts and streetscapes • A Forfar for All Generations by creating affordable spaces for all age groups • Consolidating the Centre by making the Cross and town centre a focus for the local community

A

B

C

Community Social Enterprise

Community Social Enterprise

Community Social Enterprise

D

Unique Local Interest

A central caretaker and management team, independent of local council

Better Community and Creating a Buzz produce:

Community Space

Better Communication

Community Assets are:

Heated

Businesses, People and Community Groups talking to each other: creating a Community Support Network

Affordable Accessible Visible

Prom of resi centre Drain” to

for Visitors & Residents

Community Social Enterprise

+

City centre residences offer prospects for younger and older generations, close to family and friends

Creating a Buzz

A calendar of popup events including cinema, food and creative workshops

Free public internet access

Business Incubators Helping to support existing enterprises and incubate new local SMEs and businesses

Town Hall & Local Events

in Fo

Large Enough Central Open Late

• Better Communication and Coordination between all local partners on what’s happening in Forfar and greater promotion to the wider world

Variety in Activity

A busy community centre and bookings for years to come

A wide range of existing & new groups using community spaces and assets

“What’s going on” spread by word of mouth

More i availabl events, commu

Support & Training

Promote access for all, especially as Forfar is the Scottish centre for Guide Dog Training

for

1.

A Distinctive Character Forfar’s town centre is full of distinctive character, but it needs to shine. Too many buildings are shabby, public spaces tend towards the utilitarian and are dominated by vehicles, and there is a lack of beauty despite what lies beneath the surface. This group of proposals is designed to bring out the best in the town centre and encourage businesses and community groups to make the town centre’s public spaces their own.

The Cross • Overwhelmingly people said the Cross was the towncentre and where they would like to spend most of their time • The Cross has the potential to be a centre of activity at the heart of the town • Using the Access Office perhaps in a community asset transfer • This is something that could happen relatively soon if there is a constituted group to take it on

A Distinctive Character: Current

A Distinctive Character: Current

A Distinctive Character: Weddings

A Distinctive Character: Marathon

A Distinctive Character: Xmas Fair

A Distinctive Character Classy Streets and Shopfronts • Bring out the character of East and West High Street, Castle Street and smaller streets leading off like Osnaburg Street and Little Causeway • Offer incentives for owners of historic buildings to restore historical details, • Maximise the improvements with more attractive street lighting, pavements, crossings, benches and greenery outside shops • Offer more opportunities for community planting and street activity like Forfar in Flower. • Bring in better parking enforcement to make the streets safer for pedestrians. • Continue good quality street maintenance and cleansing.

A Distinctive Character Green Pockets • Create a network of green pocket parks and connections

Getting About • Create a network of walking routes and signages • Appropriate signage to town centre shops, facilities and events at key arrival points • Both ends of the High Street (North Street and Dundee Loan), the north end of Castle Street and the main car parks (East Greens, Myre, Asda and Academy Street) • This signed and timed network should extend out to other important local places like the Lochside, Campus, Hospital, community facilities and individual residential neighbourhoods

F

EDVH PDS

Forfar for all generations

2.

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Angus Farmers Market The Mart

FOGS The Stag Hotel

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Men’s Shed Academy St

Forfar Dramatic Society East High St

Forfar Gala Day The Myre Forfar OAP Association Chapel St

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Forfar is home to people of all ages. For the town centre to thrive in the future, it needs to offer something to all these different generations. For example, kids have nowhere indoors to go without having to spend money. Young adults have difficulty getting one or two bedroomed homes, the kind of development that is ideally located in the town centre. In the evenings, people of all ages have lots of organised groups to choose from – but the choice of restaurants, bars or cafes is more limited.

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Sustain what you have • Build on whats already happening from the Scouts & Guides, Pitstop, DD8 Music to the Mens Shed & the U3A

Tuesday

Monday Lowon Tots Toddler Group 9.30am to 11.30am

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Lowon Tots Toddler Group 9.30am to 11.30am

Saturday

Sunday

Padanaram Action Group Forfar and District Men’s Shed

Lowon Tots Toddler Group 9.30am to 11.30am

Angus Cycling Club Forfar and District Historical Society

Angus Farmers Market 2nd Saturday of the Month

Forfar in Flower Strathmore Cricket Club

Forfar Library Reminiscing Group 2pm to 3pm first Tuesday of the month

A free indoor youth space • Somewhere on the High Street and help together lots of activities

Strathmore Rugby Club Hillwalking Club DD8 Music 4pm to7pm

Forfar Open Gardens Space 5.45pm for 6pm Forfar Musical Society 7.30pm to 10pm

U3A

Forfar Musical Society 7.30pm to 10pm

Forfar Dramatic Society 7.30pm

Swimming Club

DD8 Music 7pm to 9pm

Fofar Cooking Club Pitstop

Weekly Community Timetable January

February

March

FACE

April

May Forfar Fest

July

June

August

Forfar Gala Week

September

October

Cycling Festival

Glamis Castle Halloween Fest

Bridie Fest

Yearly Community Timetable events shown in italics are suggestions

November December Remeberance Sunday

Witch Burning

wellbeing

youth

arts & culture

sport

history

Christmas Market

food

ty prise

ity

Variety in Activity

Forfar for all generations B C D Town Centre Living & Footfall for Visitors &

Community Social Enterprise

Community Social Enterprise

Community Social Enterprise

Promoting diversity of residents in the town centre to avoid “Youth Drain” & “Brain Drain” to nearby cities

Residents

• The local plan has capacity for 600 new homes in Forfar, on a variety of sites, over the Unique next 10 years. To appeal to a wider variety Local Interest of audiences, these new homes need to offer a range of types, a range of tenures and be focused on sites a short walk from the town centre. Better Community

High Street Living

City centre residences offer prospects for younger and older generations, close to family and friends

High Street Living is: KIT / L CHE IVI N NG

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BA TH

Easy to Access Affordable to Rent & Buy

and Creating a Buzz produce: upper floors

• Within the town centre, where of shops are not being used, they should be returned to a housing use, incentives should be available to assist owners with any necessary works. Better Creating a + Communication Buzz for • More diverse options of homes are needed younger and retired people who want to live in A calendar of popthe town centre up events including • Taking care of existing housing stock is and also food cinema, critical creative workshops •

A central public square for community gathering

Free public internet access

Businesses, People and Community Re-establishing the community council or Groups talking to Business Incubators development trustcreating would be critical to having each other: Helping to support a Community an input into the planning process. existing enterprises and Support Network incubate new local SMEs and businesses

• Having more people actually living in the town centre will make Forfar a more vibrant place and more active

A vibrant town centre Public Space Walkability information for Forfar town centre

Activities for all Supporting Active Travel All generations included in:

• This will take time to introduce these changes into the housing plan More information

3.

Consolidate the Centre There was a strong desire from charrette participants to make the town centre more of a focus for the local community. This includes creating a central place for the community to meet and call its own, an important concept but one which needs more detailed work. Complementing that is a year-long town centre events programme and, in the long term, focussing future growth and investment on the town centre.

Central Community Hub • There was a strong sense that the community needed a central space • A feasibility study should be taken forward on what the Access Office would be • A year long events program is needed • More things like Forfar Festival • Christmas Lights switch on and new activities that tip into the culture & heritage: - A witches burning - Guide Dog Puppy Festival - Air Guitar Festival - Re-routing heavy traffic & vehicles for these events: helping character

4.

Communication Forfar has a lot going on, but not everyone knows. To revitalise the town centre, residents need to know what there is to attract them into town. Community groups, businesses, social enterprises, the Council and its Community Planning partners need to share and co-ordinate what they’re doing. And, beyond all that, Forfar needs to communicate what it has to offer the wider world. The purpose? To create and share the Buzz!

Planning and co-ordination • Town Centre businesses need to be helped to establish a representative action group that can work on behalf of the business sector • A Community Planning Partnership could start off working with a small group of businesses on a pilot project

Communication What’s On in Forfar • A website is needed to inform everyone residents & visitors about what’s happening in the events programme • An electronic notice board & signage at key gateways would be useful

Tapping Into Tourism • Forfar is greatest opportunity is to tap into the Angus day trip

THE GLENS 14 Miles

KIR 7 M RIEM UIR ile s

• If Forfar succeeds in making itself a vibrant active town centre with plenty of BUZZ then it will be because of its Distinctive Character, and Events Programme attacting even more visitors.

HIN EC es R B Mil 13

FORFAR TOWN CENTRE

TH EC 15 Mil OAST es

IS AM s L G ile 5M

DUNDEE - V+A 14 Miles

bus stops buildings where people meet significant urban spaces microspaces and moments car parks box retail greenspace

•• • • •

Stonehaven and District Motor Club Pitstop

Arrival space Café culture Food Music and bands

Forfar in Flower Weddings Marathon Christmas Market Craft Fair

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Angus Farmers Market The Mart

FOGS The Stag Hotel

Forfar Gala Day The Myre

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Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Padanaram Action

Forfar OOSC Langlands PS

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Forfar Dramatic Society East High St

Forfar OAP Association Chapel St

Lowson Tots Jamieson St

Men’s Shed Academy St

Angus Craft Fair Reid Hall

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Tuesday

Monday Lowon Tots Toddler Group 9.30am to 11.30am

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Lowon Tots Toddler Group 9.30am to 11.30am

Saturday

Sunday

Padanaram Action Group Forfar and District Men’s Shed

Lowon Tots Toddler Group 9.30am to 11.30am

Angus Cycling Club Forfar and District Historical Society

Angus Farmers Market 2nd Saturday of the Month

Forfar in Flower Strathmore Cricket Club

Forfar Library Reminiscing Group 2pm to 3pm first Tuesday of the month

Strathmore Rugby Club Hillwalking Club DD8 Music 4pm to7pm

Forfar Open Gardens Space 5.45pm for 6pm Forfar Musical Society 7.30pm to 10pm

U3A

Forfar Musical Society 7.30pm to 10pm

Forfar Dramatic Society 7.30pm

Swimming Club

DD8 Music 7pm to 9pm

Fofar Cooking Club Pitstop

Weekly Community Timetable January

February

March

FACE

April

May Forfar Fest

July

June

August

Forfar Gala Week

September

October

Cycling Festival

Glamis Castle Halloween Fest

Bridie Fest

Yearly Community Timetable events shown in italics are suggestions

November December Remeberance Sunday

Witch Burning

wellbeing

youth

arts & culture

sport

history

Christmas Market

food

A

B

C

Community Social Enterprise

Community Social Enterprise

Community Social Enterprise

Variety in Activity

D

Unique Local Interest

A central caretaker and management team, independent of local council

Better Community and Creating a Buzz produce:

Community Space

Better Communication

Community Assets are:

Heated

Businesses, People and Community Groups talking to each other: creating a Community Support Network

Affordable Accessible Visible

Promoting diversity of residents in the town centre to avoid “Youth Drain” & “Brain Drain” to nearby cities

for Visitors & Residents

Community Social Enterprise

+

High Street Living

City centre residences offer prospects for younger and older generations, close to family and friends

High Street Living is: KIT / L CHE IVI N NG

Central

BA TH

Easy to Access Affordable to Rent & Buy

A central public square for community gathering

Creating a Buzz

A calendar of popup events including cinema, food and creative workshops

Free public internet access

A vibrant town centre Public Space

Business Incubators Helping to support existing enterprises and incubate new local SMEs and businesses

Town Hall & Local Events

Walkability information for Forfar town centre

Activities for all Supporting Active Travel All generations included in:

Large Enough Central Open Late

A busy community centre and bookings for years to come

A wide range of existing & new groups using community spaces and assets

“What’s going on” spread by word of mouth

More information available on existing events, festivals and community groups

Support & Training

Something for Everyone

Supporting a diversity of community members to training & employment, including accessibility support

Activities for All Generations & all of the community

Maintaining and creating a quality public realm and historic features

Promote access for all, especially as Forfar is the Scottish centre for Guide Dog Training

for Everyone

Starting new enterprises

Promoting Access

Next Stages?

Local Partners

External Partners

Distinct Character

Action Plan Workshop What are your priorities?

The Cross

Feasibility study for outdoor and indoor public space for community events and activities (see also Central community hub)

CPP, community groups, social enterprises

Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, other grant funders

Classy Shopfronts & Streets

Develop TH/CARS funding application to enhance historic character of buildings and streets in heart of town centre

CPP, businesses

Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland

Green Pockets

Detailed design work for network of pocket greenspaces around the town centre

CPP, community groups

Getting About

Detailed design work for direct walking routes around town centre, signage, Myre and East Greens car park improvements

CPP, businesses, community

East High Street

• Some of the aspirations that have been highlighted will take 5- 10 years to come through whilst others can be acted on now

Matchmaking • The Action Plan is designed to identify where the priorities lie and who could start working together to enact this

• Big Lottery Funding to be determined through feasibility of Collective and co housing to diversify housing options in town centre. • ECO funding, Energy Savings Trust, Retrofit Scotland • Working together for these as a community is essntial

CPP

Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic

Scotland

For All Generations Sustain What You Have

Maintain support for community groups and social enterprises in town centre

CPP, community groups, social enterprises

Free Indoor Youth Space

Feasibility study into creating

CPP, community groups, social enterprises

To be determined through feasibility study

Town Centre Living

As part of CARS/THI application, develop incentives for reusing upper floors of shops for housing

CPP, businesses, community groups

Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland

Town Centre Living

Reestablish community council to allow greater input for Forfar residents in planning matters

CPP, businesses, community groups

Town Centre Living

Feasibility study on options for collective and co housing to diversify housing options in town centre.

Community Council / Development Trust vehicle

AC, DTAS, to be determined through feasibility.

Town Centre Living

Establish community energy coop to retrofit and upgrade exisitng town centre homes

Community Council / Development Trust vehicle

ECO funding, Energy Savings Trust, Retrofit Scotland

Feasibility study for outdoor and indoor public space for community events and activities (see also The Cross)

CPP, community groups, social enterprise

To be determined through feasibility study

Develop and sustain annual events programme

CPP, community groups, businesses, social enterprises

Review Local Development Plan and Community Planning policy

CPP

Initiate shared online calendar, collaborative events/activities marketing, town centre business collaboration

CPP, businesses, social enterprises, community groups

What’s On Forfar!

Develop and maintain website and social media, detailed design and locations for noticeboards and signage

CPP, businesses, social enterprises, community groups

Tapping Into Tourism

Identify role and actions for Forfar in wider regional visitor economy

VisitScotland, CPP, local businesses and organisations

Put everything together and watch it happen!

Everybody!

• There are various pots of funding available: • TH/CARS funding application to enhance historic character of buildings and streets in heart of town centre

groups

Consolidate the Centre Central Community Hub Events Programme

Town Centre First

Communication Local Sharing & Coordination

Create that Buzz!

When?

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