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Forres High Street thriving with 76 shops open and just seven empty





WITH many town centres around the country in decline, at least one in Moray appears to be thriving.

Over the last year, Forres has bucked the national trend as new businesses open up to complement existing premises - on High Street alone, the Gazette counted 76 occupied with just seven empty units.

Wee Beauties Parties and Balloons at 134 High Street caters for children and adults.Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Wee Beauties Parties and Balloons at 134 High Street caters for children and adults.Picture: Daniel Forsyth

And it's not just the High Street - Tolbooth Street has nine open shops and just one unoccupied.

Town centre business owners, old and new, are in agreement that Forres is a special place and offers the ideal space to grow a businesses.

In November, Moray Councillor Draeyk van der Horn (Forres, Green), opened a community art gallery, workshop and office called LØRE at number 128 High Street (formerly Sue’s News).

He said: “LØRE represents my deep confidence in Forres as a place to nurture new businesses. High Street, as a shared space where we all meet, is a perfect home for this venture. If you’re in the area, please say hello!
”As a local councillor, it’s amazing to witness the energy and optimism that comes from people embracing the spirit of community. Forres is truly special, and I’m excited to see both newcomers and long-standing businesses thrive here.

“Together, we’re proving that Forres is the place to be - a vibrant, award-winning town with a bright future ahead. Let’s keep the momentum going!”

UK Nails and Spa manager Nguyen Anh Duc.Picture: Daniel Forsyth
UK Nails and Spa manager Nguyen Anh Duc.Picture: Daniel Forsyth

One factor in the town's success may be that it is becoming more cosmopolitan. For example, each term, hundreds of overseas students now attend the Glasgow School of Art Highlands and Islands campus at Altyre, contributing to the local economy and bringing a demand for a greater variety of goods and services.

Nguyen Anh Duc has been running the UK Nails & Spa at 105 High Street (formerly The Bike Bothy) since December.

He said: “My store specialises in spa services for manicure and foot care. It’s great to be in such a beautiful town! I chose Forres to start a business after a lot of research. I believe we can thrive here.”

A few doors down at number 95, ULY + RO owner Bianca Judd has been selling home décor, art prints gifts and jewellery, as well as sustainable items recycled in Scotland, since November.

She said: “ULY + RO is my first ever venture. I love bringing something a bit different to Forres and working with new suppliers to bring in fresh new stock. I want to meet even more local folk because everyone has been so lovely and embraced what I'm doing!”

ULY + RO at 95 High Street sells home decor.Picture: Daniel Forsyth
ULY + RO at 95 High Street sells home decor.Picture: Daniel Forsyth

Bianca described our high street as “really healthy!”

She said: “It’s such a great place to shop, eat and drink thanks to the many well-established businesses we already have here. New shops such as mine only add to this. The more we can offer, the more people will come. December was testament to this with many locals managing to buy all of their Christmas presents on Forres High Street! People want to - and do - shop local.”

A Forres favourite re-opened under new management in November.

Owner Rana Zafar confirmed The Washington Gift and Party store has replaced The Washington newsagents at 86 High Street, stocking cards, gifts, balloons, decorations and much more.

He said: “I am enjoying doing business in Forres. The community has responded well to the re-opening.

The Washington assistant, Karen Adamson.Picture: Daniel Forsyth
The Washington assistant, Karen Adamson.Picture: Daniel Forsyth

“Christmas went well but the street looks quieter now, maybe due to the bad weather. Hopefully it will pick up again.”

Wee beauties parties and balloons at 134 High Street has been open since last April.

Owner Lisa Weeks hosts “fairy and pamper parties” for children and craft sessions for adults on the premises, as well as arranges balloon displays for any occasion.

“I hope to expand the adult crafting side,” she said, “while providing more amazing parties and excellent customer service.

“Our High Street is doing very well, with lots of new shops opening. The majority of landlords here are not charging extortionate rents plus Forres is so community-focused that everyone supports our small businesses.”

Old Market Refillery owner, Fiona Gibson. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Old Market Refillery owner, Fiona Gibson. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

Fiona Gibson is helping to make Tolbooth Street an even more popular area in the town centre. She opened Old Market Refillery next door to her established family business Macbeth’s Butchers, last month.

She said: “It’s refill shop with some thoughtful gifts - once I’m brave enough I'll be doing sourdough bread too!

“I hope to create a small community hub where we can help to reduce waste and become more mindful shoppers. It's really just shopping as it used to be - with a wee modern twist.”

She added: “It's lovely to see the high street doing so well. The more shops open here, the more it strengthens the draw for people to come and have a look at what all the wonderful retailers and cafes are offering.”

Under the Leaves bookshop, opened in January 2024, has one year later moved eastwards down the street.

Under the Leaves Bookshop co-owner Dörte McPhun.Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Under the Leaves Bookshop co-owner Dörte McPhun.Picture: Daniel Forsyth

Owners John and Dörte McPhun shared the same dream of opening a bookshop for years, and decided to give it a go in Forres.

John said: “So far it's been a really positive experience! There's been lots of support from the community: locals have been welcoming and some have become regular customers; other established shops and cafes have also been incredibly helpful around the set-up and advice side of things.”

Dörte added: “There is an upbeat vibe in the town centre with several new places opening in the last year. There are few empty units and people appreciate what High Street has to offer.

“Perhaps there’s momentum - it's a risk starting a new business but the more people who give it a go, the more others might get involved. Everybody wants a thriving town centre but it only works if we all keep using it.

“Forres is fantastic and we're happy to be here!”

Also at the east end, The Olive Tree Kitchen opened in March 2024. Owners Gill and Weller de Oliveira put their faith in the vibrancy of the Forres community. The couple previously operated a coffee van for two years, mainly off Findhorn beach.

In their new boutique premises, they sell homebaking, soups, paninis, barista coffees, hot chocolates, teas, homemade frozen meals, gifts, coffee grinders and make your own cookie and brownie jars.

Gill has no doubts about their move. “We are excited to finally have a premises that we can serve from. We have our oven and baking kitchen in the back of our shop. We like to use local ingredients where we can and add no additives or preservatives to what we make.

“We hope to continue to grow and will be having seating outside.

“Forres High Street feels like a supported local community these days, with lots of exciting new and old businesses thriving.

“We have an extremely loyal customer base but are also meeting lots of new customers travelling from further afield as they’ve heard what Forres has to offer now!”



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