The first stage of the project, delivered as part of the £18 million Levelling Up Fund, will see ground level clearance on the site which includes several properties in South Street and Elgin High Street, including two former toy shops and two derelict sites, formerly the Newmarket Bar and the Jailhouse nightclub will be redeveloped.

The project is a partnership between Moray Council, Robertson Property Ltd (RPL), Moray Growth Deal and UHI Moray, which will deliver:

• 38 one and two-bedroom flats aligned to the Scottish Government and Moray Council-funded Housing Mix Delivery project from the Moray Growth Deal
• an 800m2 Business Enterprise Hub, a Growth Deal project led by UHI Moray and funded by the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
• three commercial retail units
• improved public spaces, linking South Street to the High Street

This is the first Levelling Up Fund project to start, with more to follow, including the redevelopment of the vacant former Sawmill by Linkwood Road and the reimagining of Cooper Park.

Improvements to Cooper Park will include accessible walkways, biodiversity planting, new seating, and a revived pond area. The existing toilet block in Cooper Park will also be transformed into new toilets and a café with facilities for all park users.

The central Elgin project will also boost the evening economy, revitalize derelict sites, and support the creative arts, including a new creative arts centre for jobs and community projects in the former Gordon Arms Hotel in the High Street. Improved traffic control measures, accessibility, and new café spaces will enhance the area’s outdoor culture.

A dedicated contact for the local business community who may be impacted by construction works will be available, as well as regular public updates on the progress of the projects.

Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, explained there will be some short-term pain for long-term gain: “This is exciting progress for Elgin and the wider Moray community. The Levelling Up Fund is all about improving infrastructure and supporting town centre regeneration, and the South Street redevelopment is a great signal that Moray is up for this transformation.

“I’m looking forward to seeing construction on the project begin in early 2025, providing much-needed homes, business opportunities, and vibrant public spaces to our town centre. We appreciate that there will be disruption to South Street during the construction phases, with road closures necessary for safety. But I hope residents and visitors will appreciate this needs to happen to get the transformation we want to see in our region’s capital.

“The council gives a commitment to make sure any disruption is communicated as effectively as possible and I thank folk in advance for their patience during any temporary work to help make Moray an even better place to live, work and visit.”