Council seeks funding to revive Elgin's former shopping centre

Moray Council looks set to ask for a £1m grant from the Scottish government as it tries to revive the site of a former shopping centre.

The St Giles Centre in Elgin closed last year after the owner faced "severe financial challenges".

Moray councillors are due to discuss redevelopment options on Wednesday, after the site has been empty since its closure.

The main discussion about the centre will be in private but papers have confirmed the authority is looking for support from the Scottish government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.

The grant application is said to be for "works relative to the St Giles Shopping Centre area".

It had been hoped a different funding stream would cover these costs, but the report revealed that bid was unsuccessful.

Details of what the council hopes to do with the centre and its land have not been made public, with the main discussion on Wednesday being held behind closed doors due to commercial sensitivities.

The total cost for Moray Council's plans for the centre are listed as costing more than £38m, with almost £4m in match funding required.

Tha authority has also submitted a grant application for a new sports facility in the town.