Belmar Engineering, which was formed in 1975, has ceased trading after coming under pressure from increased competition, losses over recent years, and falling orders. Efforts had been made to sell the business, in whole or in part, before the decision to permanently close was taken as the “final option”.
It meant the immediate loss of all 48 jobs.
Read Scott Wright’s story here
Liquidators have been appointed to the operator of a Scottish shopping centre.
Alistair McAlinden and James Dewar from Interpath were appointed joint provisional liquidators of St Giles Shopping Centre Holdings Ltd.
The company was the operator of the St Giles Centre in Elgin, which is owned separately by a company which is not subject to insolvency.
The shopping centre had operated in the Moray town for 33 years before closing in January 2025, following a period of severe financial challenges, including a high level of vacant units, reducing rent roll and increasing service charge and rates costs.
Read Brian Donnelly’s story here
The East Pier Smokehouse at St Monans will open from Wednesday to Sunday year-round for food and drink.
Futtle said they planned on having a quick turnaround and while there was initially no opening date given, it is now taking booking for this weekend to celebrate Easter.
The restaurant has been popular, and the brewery admits it is taking a chance by taking it over.
Read Mark McDougall’s story here
AROUND THE GREENS
This article appears as part of Kristy Dorsey’s Around the Greens series
Established on the village green in 1883, Aboyne is the oldest golf club on Royal Deeside and has a strong pedigree when it comes to women playing the game.
It has hosted several national events for female golfers including the Scottish Golf Women’s County Finals in 2016, LGU Coronation Foursomes Regional Finals in 2018, and the Scottish Senior Women’s Open 2023. The club’s “course of two halves” is also home to a healthy line-up of elite amateur and professional female players.
After completing his PGA qualification at the Old Course Hotel and Dukes in St Andrews under the tutelage of Neil Paton and John Kelly, Mike Kinloch spent 15 years working in the Middle East before returning to Scotland in 2020 to join Aboyne as the club pro. He says the club has a remarkable track record in producing female golfers achieving national recognition.
