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Aviemore's floral display in jeopardy because of funding problems





Aviemore's floral display is at risk
Aviemore's floral display is at risk

People in Aviemore are being urged to consider whether they want to prevent what could escalate into a blooming problem in the town.

Its floral fund is well short of the £9,500 target required before June, when it puts hanging baskets, tubs and planters around the town.

Although the Aviemore Business Association is as always committed to carrying out the work, the cashpot is £4,000 short for this year.

This has called into question the future of the displays, which have adorned Aviemore’s streets in the summer for the past decade.

Fund organiser and local guesthouse owner Jonathan Gatenby said it was crunch time for the displays as the association, which has 70 members, could not keep supporting it without help from local businesses and the wider community.

Last year’s fundraising fell short by about £2,000. The account was eventually balanced after the proceeds of the business association’s race night and the Wishing Well were added.

However, Mr Gatenby said a strong commitment was needed from across the community for future displays, unless local people felt the time had come for another way forward.

He said: "While there may be other ways of enhancing the village, a tourism destination of the importance and significance of Aviemore must present itself as well as possible.

"The annual floral display brightens up our main street and even those businesses not connected with the front line of tourism benefit. Some businesses always step up to the plate to support us, but there are a large number of national companies with a presence in Aviemore which benefit from the displays without contributing to the fund in any way, shape or form."

Owen Caldwell, owner and manager of the Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore, who is also an association member, believes the time has come to look at new avenues.

He said asking for nearly £10,000 a year towards the cost of floral displays – particularly in such difficult financial times – was unsustainable.

"I think it would be better to give £10,000 one year for some sort of sculpture in the village which would be more sustainable and hopefully be a big talking point," he said.

"There are plenty of local artists who would want to get involved in something like that. Even if the sculpture divided opinion it could become iconic and attract more people to Aviemore."

A public meeting to discuss the future of the town’s floral displays will be held at the Cairngorm Hotel soon.


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