Revamp of Haddington square to create market and pavement cafes

The centre of Haddington, currently described as a “glorified car park”, would be turned into one of the best in Scotland under the plans.

It comes after hundreds of residents were asked how they would like to see the town centre improved as part of an independent £20,000 study.

Recommendations in the study include improving public transport connections and making tourist attractions more appealing.

The study, carried out by Edinburgh-based consultants Urban Animation, comes after a report last year found that at least ten town centre businesses could consider closing within three years.

Director Richard Heggie said: “Haddington is a sleeping giant. It has a fantastic built environment and a very high number of listed buildings.

“Originally it was a borough town and the original market place is still in place 800 to 900 years later.

“But at the moment, it’s a glorified road and car park which happens to be surrounded by shops and buildings.”

The report states that Haddington should be a “vibrant and attractive focus for town centre trade and activity”.

It states: “It is not difficult to imagine a bustling space where cafes and shops spread out on to widened pavements, with attractive places for people to meet and enjoy themselves.

“Getting about on foot should be much easier; car access and parking, whilst important, should be less dominant.

“Keeping the status quo is not an option for the high street. The quality of the space, and its sense of place, must be given higher priority.”

Five themes and eight key actions for Haddington’s future have been identified through the report including marketing the town centre and re-using empty buildings.

The vision also recommended introducing more attractions for visitors, from festivals and farmers’ markets to quality shopping.

It also suggested that more needs to be made of the town’s history and townscape, which should be animated as an integral part of modern town  centre life.

A Community Development Trust – a cooperation between four community groups – has been formed to help bring the vision forward.

Mr Heggie added: “It’s about getting everyone involved in the town centre.“

Jan Wilson, chair of Haddington Community Council, said: “The report identifies an exciting opportunity and future for Haddington. It’s now down to all of us to realise the town’s potential and the real work starts now.”

Andrew Robinson – chair of Haddington and District Amenity Society and chair of the Haddington vision committee – added: “Working with the consultants has released energy and enthusiasm within the town and we look forward to taking the ideas forward.”