Hope is on the horizon as a new year dawns, according to Inverness community leaders
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Despite all the challenges that 2020 has thrown our way, Inverness has reason to be optimistic for the new year, according to the city’s community and business leaders.
There is a sense of hope – tinged with caution – that the rollout of coronavirus vaccines can herald the start of the region’s recovery and a return to some normality in 2021.
Although uncertainty remains for many in the badly-hit retail and hospitality industries, the outlook is more optimistic for various flagship developments, including the ambitious £1.6 million restoration of the Victorian Market – due to begin by the middle of January – and the planned transformation of Inverness Castle into a world-class tourist attraction.
Next month, meanwhile, is also expected to see the first tenants moving into the recently-completed 37-apartment Wyvern House development on the former Farmfoods site in Academy Street, plus the start of the conversion of the former Arnotts department store in Union Street into 53 apartments.
There is also optimism that the community spirit and numerous acts of kindness displayed across the Highlands during the coronavirus lockdown will continue.
Depute Provost Bet McAllister acknowledged difficult times ahead, but maintained various infrastructure projects would make a big difference.
"We will get through this," she said. "I have been heartened by the spirit of people in the Inverness area.
"I am glad I live here.
"We need to be strong and enjoy life as much as we can under the circumstances and we will get back to normal life."
Inverness city centre manager David Haas said Highland Council and the business community had worked together to do their best in keeping the city as vibrant as possible.
He believed the transformation of the Victorian Market would create an iconic hub, drawing people into the city.
"We are looking to develop this quickly and show progress," he said.
"It is a great sign for the city centre and a great fillip to have it going forward."
City economist Tony Mackay said the Highland economy had fared worse than the Scottish and UK averages in 2020 due to the importance of the tourism industry, but insisted he was optimistic about the picture for other sectors.
"I think the construction industry will have a good year, particularly with an increase in housebuilding and projects such as the Inverness Castle changes," he said.
"The food processing and whisky industries are doing surprisingly well.
"The recent annual financial results from companies such as Tulloch Homes, Norbord and Global Energy have also been very encouraging."
Loch Ness tourism leader Willie Cameron said: "I am certainly optimistic as far as the future is concerned – the big million dollar question is when does that future start?"
He said April would be a crunch time for the industry when furlough came to an end and businesses had to start repaying Bounce Back loans.
Tony Story, owner of the Kingsmills and Ness Walk hotels in Inverness, thought the Oxford University/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine would make a difference to freedom of movement if rolled out, but expected it would take until May or June.
"I certainly think 2021 is going to be very challenging," he said. "It is going to be a year-long road to recovery."
In the meantime, he saud, his plans to convert a former council service point in Church Street into a hotel are currently "in abeyance".
Colin Craig, vice chairman of Inverness Business Improvement District, was struck by the level of support for local shops in the run-up to Christmas and wanted to see a continuation of the free parking offer at the Rose Street car park.
"I think it is going to be a challenging year and it will depend on how quickly we can get the confidence of people going in and out of shops," he said.
Rev Fiona Smith, minister of Ness Bank Church, was concerned that when the Christmas lights come down next week, people will feel extremely low.
"It is a test of endurance and patience and also keeping on being gracious to one another as we struggle," she said.
"Looking back, I think 2020 has reminded us all about what matters in our lives – and it is one another."
