Caithness and Sutherland Retail Survey

In response to concerns relating to the future of town centre retailing in the north, HIE Caithness and Sutherland commissioned an extensive retail study in the area in order to provide important survey-based data on the expectations of shoppers, householders and businesses. The study covered the full geographical area of Caithness and Sutherland, with particular attention being paid to the two main settlements of Wick and Thurso.

The brief stated that the aims of the study were as follows:

• To provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of shopping patterns within Caithness and Sutherland;
• To identify and provide direction on the future of retailing in the two areas, with specific recommendations for the main retail centres of Wick and Thurso;
• To support and inform any future HIE Caithness and Sutherland policy development relating to retail, with particular reference to its impact on delivering the objectives in the Caithness and North Sutherland Action Plan;
• To establish connections with ongoing regeneration work and define the role of retailing within this context;
• To adopt an integrated approach to retail evaluation which takes account of transport patterns and the wider economy.

Please click here to view the findings of the report in full.