More than £2 million has been awarded to projects in Aberdeenshire which will focus on improving town centres.

A total of 14 local Aberdeenshire projects will share funds of £2.04m, including the redevelopment of the former Clydesdale Bank building in Fraserburgh and repurposing a vacant department store in Huntly town centre.

The funding was awarded as part of the £38 million capital injection into the national 'Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP)' for 2021-22, which will help drive economic recovery, improve town centres and support regeneration activity.

The PBIP is seen as the first step in creating coherent local strategies to guide investment priorities and to implement the 'place principle' which is a key component of the new Programme for Government.  

Central to this will be ensuring that investment decisions are shaped by the evidenced needs of local communities, regenerate and revitalise towns and villages, help tackle inequality and disadvantage and accelerate Scotland towards 'net zero' emissions targets. Another significant feature of the investment will be increased footfall within our town centres which will benefit local businesses.

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The Aberdeenshire PBIP Panel looked for projects which can demonstrate local engagement and support, can realistically be delivered in a short timescale, are sustainable and help to transform their places.

Chair of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee, Councillor Peter Argyle, said: "Creating vibrant, successful, sustainable places is at the heart of our decision-making. This money will help a number of communities across Aberdeenshire to improve their places and will, in turn, support the longer-term economic recovery.

"The fund was heavily over-subscribed and we needed to prioritise and take some difficult decisions. All of the projects offer much in their own rights and as this is a multi-year programme, for those that were not successful this time round, they have the opportunity to respond to feedback and re-apply if appropriate."

Vice-chair Councillor John Cox added: "The Panel had to make decisions based on those projects that could realistically deliver this year.  It is very important that communities start to develop their plans now so that they are in a stronger position to take advantage of this funding in future years.

"By investing in our communities, we are helping to create more attractive, accessible and resilient places that are better placed to face the opportunities and challenges of the future."