The chief executive of Angus Council has admitted the local authority should have done more to attract businesses into the county’s high streets.
Richard Stiff said the council had “not been as effective as we should have been” in ensuring the vibrancy of the main shopping areas across Angus.
The comments were prompted by a question from Carnoustie councillor Bill Bowles at a meeting of the scrutiny and audit committee.
Mr Bowles said: “My particular emphasis as a councillor is on the economic development of Angus.
“Where are we in relation to attracting not international markets such as China but domestic companies such as Boots and Costa?
“We need to be speaking to these companies and find out what we need to do to attract these businesses into Angus.
“Angus is open for business and we need to develop our high streets and economy.”
Mr Stiff said a number of strategies were being pursued to attract big companies into the region, including a new Business Angus website.
He said: “Looking back, we have not been as effective as we should have been in addressing the domestic market and, in particular, ensuring the vibrancy of our high streets by attracting into Angus the types of businesses the councillor has just referred to.
“We have taken a number of steps to address that. We have recognised within the economic and development service that this is indeed an issue and should be a priority for us.
“We have just launched a website which provides would-be inward investors with information about our county, about the assets the county can bring to the table, in terms of an inward investor seeking property, seeking a skilled workforce and seeking access to support and advice about location.
“We are also in the process of reviewing our property management strategy, in respect of development land the council holds, which will come to committee shortly.
“In essence, what we are trying to do is move forward from a situation where, in the crudest of terms, we waited for companies to come to us.
“We want to reverse that scenario and be more proactive in promoting the assets Angus possesses, particularly, development property.”
Mr Stiff added that the high-occupancy levels in council properties was an indication the economic environment in Angus might be improving.
“There are a number of activities that have recently shown that this new proactive approach is beginning to bear some fruit,” he added.
“A small indication that things may be changing is referred to in the report in terms of the high-occupancy levels within our workshops and units.
“Our next challenge will be to develop our facilities in such a way that we remain an attractive prospect for investors looking to grow or develop in Angus, but the high street has to be a particular focus and that’s more of a tough challenge.”
Mr Stiff said discussions were ongoing with Transport Scotland with a view to improving the road network in the north of Angus.
He said the growth potential of Montrose was being held back by the limited accessibility of the road network to and from the town.
Councillor Bob Myles said: “I totally agree that sustained economic development is vital for a successful county and I am pleased that these initiatives are taking place.”