Number of empty properties in Inverness city centre climbs according to new council survey
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A 'Town Centre Health Check' by Highland Council provides a mixed picture on the vitality of Inverness city centre.
Around one in eight properties in Inverness city centre are currently vacant according to a new survey.
Highland Council's town centre health check used a mix of surveys and public questionnaires to paint a picture of life in the centre of Inverness.
With details gathered last summer data can be compared to the last survey carried out pre-pandemic, in 2018.
Then the vacancy rate for the city centre stood at 7.8 per cent.
At the time of the 2022 study it was 12.6 per cent, totalling 96 properties.
Broken down by sector the retail vacancy rate is 15.2 per cent (9.2 per cent in 2018) and 4.7 per cent (3.4 per cent in 2018) for tourism-related businesses.
The vacancy rate in the historical/ old town is 16 per cent (almost doubled from 8.3 per cent in 2018).
But by contrast the vacancy rate in the Longman Industrial Estate has almost halved – down from 16.7 per cent in 2018 to 7.5 per cent in 2022.
The report states: "Town Centre Health Checks (TCHCs) are prepared by local authorities to monitor the strength and vitality of town centres across Scotland.
"Indicators such as accessibility, community, property, activities and the physical environment are recommended assessment measures; all of which contribute towards the 'health' of a town centre."
Referring back to the 2018 survey it added: "Since then, there have been significant social, economic and political changes such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK's exit from the European Union.
"It is important to monitor how town centres across the Highlands have been, and continue to be, affected by these events."
Surveyor assessments carried out across the city centre gave marks out of five for different aspects.
Historic environment scored four as did pavements and streets, pedestrian friendliness and public transport.
There were grades of three for public realm, safety and security, cycling facilities, parking, evening economy and tourist appeal.
Open space/ green infrastructure was given two marks.
Members of the public were also asked for their views, with scores given out of 100.
Retail scored 64, evening economy 72, accessibility 91, pavements and streets 73 and safety and security 87.
On public perceptions the report stated: "The majority of responses were fairly mixed for all qualitative categories.
"Most responses were 'Very Good' for safety and security and accessibility; perceptions of the evening economy and pavements and streets were mixed but generally good, whilst retail received a fairly divided response.
"With the majority of perceptions being 'Fair', it is clear that Inverness city centre's retail offer is not the strongest, in the eyes of the public."
Chairman of the council's economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: “Checking the strength and vitality of our town centres is essential to enable better decision and policy making.
“By presenting detailed information and analysis of the data collected alongside a commentary on each location allows a range of users to access information relevant to them."
You can access the full report, including assessments of town centres across the Highlands, here
