Changes in pipeline for Victorian Market

A RARE opportunity could be on the cards for creative use of a store in a prime Inverness location.

Highland councillors will decide today whether the vacant outlet within the city’s Victorian Market can be used for myriad purposes.

It comes after it was announced earlier this week that the council has been meeting with market figureheads about rebranding and renaming the premises, which are owned by the Inverness Common Good Fund.

The catalyst for the move involving the vacant unit was a talented Highland arts student’s recent use of the site for an exhibition – Becoming Bellany – in tribute to the late acclaimed Scottish artist John Bellany.

It generated considerable interest among shoppers and market retailers in Unit 15 which has been vacant for a couple of years, failing to reap an approximate market rent of £13,000 per year.

Market manager Jo Murray said: “It’s one of our largest units and taking it on full time would be quite a commitment but I could see the value of using the space as a flexible space for pop-up shops, exhibitions, charity work or workshops.

“We’ve also picked up on the need for a meeting space, with a number of organisations saying they’d welcome such a space for events.

“It would be great to have somebody using it. It changes the dynamic in the market hall. It’s a great unit with fantastic windows and great visibility.”

The idea is to charge £20 per hour for use of the premises.

If the initiative is approved by the council’s city committee, Mrs Murray promised the unit would be redecorated before it is let.

Meanwhile, the market could be renamed Old Town Arcade Inverness in a major rebranding exercise.

The proposal has emerged after talks between interested parties and council, which has employed consultant Tristram Woolston Design of Cannich to look at the marketing of the landmark, which has often been a focal point for city visitors from home and abroad.

Mrs Murray said further talks will be held before it goes to Highland councillors for consideration.

“The consultant has identified problems with the existing name, in that the building and its environment doesn’t strongly present Victorian qualities and it’s not a ‘market’ as such, but has permanent enclosed retail units rather than changeable stalls,” she said.

“The vision for this historic building after refurbishment is to provide a high-quality destination with a mix of unique Highland brands and products, a place to eat and drink, and a venue for events and entertainment.

“Other similar destinations in the UK and abroad call themselves arcades and hence the proposed new name is Old Town Arcade Inverness.”

Those involved will discuss the new image for the facility in September.

Inverness economist Tony Mackay said it might be better to focus on other matters.

“To be honest I’m not sure what sort of impact changing the name will have,” he said.

“There needs to be improvements at the market, there are a few empty premises in the centre. It’s gone downhill due to lack of investments and the decline in people shopping in the city centre.

“We need to move away from the traditional shopping idea, more social activities and more attractions are what is needed. The shops at the Victorian Market shut at 5pm. Staying open later and having maybe street entertainers there in the evening could attract more people.”