The third sector has a key role to play in Moray both in its support role but also in providing jobs, and the Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) is a social enterprise with big ambitions.
The enterprise was originally set up to ensure it could prevent the area from becoming economically fragile, following the closure of RAF Kinloss. Now, over a decade later, the Trust has grown, having created a Forres Area Tourism Network and supporting the development of the Forres Area Business Association, of which it is a member. It has also undertaken a community asset transfer of Forres Town Hall, with the intention of turning it into an enterprising community venue.
The Town Hall already offers business and community services through FACT, with various businesses, social enterprises and charities able to have registered addresses there, hot-desking space available and a consultancy service helping people with funding applications, community engagement work and business development.
The Trust is now looking to build on this and secure the £3.5million needed to refurbish the Town Hall, to make it fit for purpose for the 21st century, as a venue, conference centre and co-working space, to complement the facilities already available at the Business and Innovation Centre, Horizon Scotland. It has received planning permission and listed building consent and is preparing funding applications for capital bids.
FACT also works hard to help residents in the community. It uses the Town Hall as a base for its wider outreach Digital Inclusion project, allowing local residents to upskill and have online access either at the Town Hall or other locations around the area. It is also part of the Moray Pathways programme, and with European Social Fund funding has just recruited a new Employability Officer for 12 months to help residents reskill and identify new job and career opportunities as the region looks to diversity its economy.
As a location, Forres also provides a good place to live, work and set up a business as Debbie Herron, Development Manager, FACT explained: “There’s lots of fantastic places to go, with beaches and woodlands and the quality of life is good.
“Forres is also well connected, there have been a lot of improvements in infrastructure so you can get a train into Inverness within 30 minutes and to Aberdeen within 1 ¾ hours and it’s not too far away from Inverness Airport. Existing commercial space is affordable and there are opportunities at Forres Business Park, which is managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, for those looking at new build space.
“We are a very close-knit community, with lot of opportunities for networking and support for people who are coming into the area. Plus, the area is growing, with more housing available that provides a vibrant workforce. We work with many partners including Findhorn Bay Arts, Forres Heritage Trust and Forres Area Forum, there are many opportunities for collaboration and partnership.”
To find out more about the Forres Area Community Trust, please visit their website: https://forresarea.org/
