As part of our commitment to making sure every voice in Arbroath is heard, members of the Our Arbroath Town Board have been visiting local community groups who may not be able to attend the public workshops. Board member Lois Speed spent time at Seaton Grove Care Home and Arbroath Community Connections, gathering views and ideas from residents of all ages about how the £20 million Town Deal should be spent. 

At Seaton Grove, the session was led by Lois, alongside Activities Coordinator Rachel Osbourne and resident Robert Bridges. The group reminisced about the town’s past by looking at then and now photographs, watching old footage of Arbroath and exploring local maps. Using interactive tools like dot voting, props and even a beach ball to spark discussion, participants shared what they love about Arbroath and what they’d like to see improved. 

Key themes from Seaton Grove included: 

• Protecting and promoting the Abbey as a central part of the town’s identity and visitor experience.
   
• Enhancing the High Street, with an emphasis on accessibility and shopping local.   
   
• Reviving West Links, drawing on memories of the miniature railway and holidays by the sea.   
   
• Supporting the Harbour as both a working area and a place filled with fond memories.  
   
• Investing in essential services, community events like Seafest and the Pageant, and celebrating local institutions like Arbroath Football Club. 

One of the strongest messages was: “Promote what Arbroath already has — and remember, it’s the people that make the town.” 

At Arbroath Community Connections, the same interactive approach was used in a lively intergenerational session with members of the community and pupils from an ASN (Additional Support Needs) primary school. Again, the focus was on fun, creativity and real conversations about what matters. 

Top priorities highlighted from this session included: 

• Enhancing accessibility to the beach and across public spaces, including Victoria Park.  
   
• More inclusive play areas and sensory-friendly spaces.
   
• Improving the Harbour area and providing public fishing rods.
     
• Facilities for motorhome users and better changing spaces for water-based activities at West Links.   
   
• A call for more clothes shops for older people, as well as better options for young people who prefer shopping locally over online or out-of-town options.    

These visits are helping to ensure that everyone in Arbroath, from older residents to young pupils, has a say in shaping the future of their town. The insights gathered will feed directly into the planning and prioritisation of key themes and project proposals.