As reported back in the October issue of Merkinch News and Views, the Highland Council, after consultation with residents of Tannery, Harbour and Quayside Court flats, have decided to increase security around the flats.

Building work, by the Black Isle Construction Company, has now started and is set to be completed around late Spring, early Summer.

A concierge unit will be built behind the phone boxes and will be staffed 24 hours a day. The ambitious project is the first of it’s kind north of Glasgow. The unit, which will be a self contained flat with a rest room and cooking facilities, will provide residents with peace of mind as well as a friendly, familiar face. As Nigel Kemp, Technician at the Council’s Planning and Architect Department said "The caretaker will be there not only to provide total security to the people of the flats but also as someone the tenants and visitors will see everyday, someone who will be only too willing to help the older, or less able tenants to carry their shopping, or to ring a taxi for them."

Tenants will be issued with a key fob and access will only be through the main entrance of the building. The plans also involve installing all round camera security and a general face lift to the area.