‘A true champion of our high streets’

Scotland Loves Local Awards 2025: High Street Hero accolade for Moray manager who helped businesses respond to sudden Elgin shopping centre closure

The work of a community champion whose “passion and commitment” has boosted trade and helped businesses in need has today been hailed as heroic.

Angharad Rogers, Town Centres Development Manager at Moray Chamber of Commerce, has been named as the 2025 Scotland Loves Local Awards High Street Hero for the Highland Scottish Parliamentary region.

She was part of the emergency response for businesses in Elgin following the sudden closure of The St Giles Centre earlier this year, campaigning for a hardship fund to support them.

And the executive has also helped traders across the region save more than £250,000  through support with business rates tariffs - helping to secure their future.

Awards judges were told: “Angharad’s passion and commitment go far beyond her job description.

“She brings people together, creates innovative solutions, and is unwavering in her mission to make our town centres places that residents and visitors alike are proud to enjoy.

“Angharad has delivered an impressive range of initiatives and support which has supported business and charities, driven footfall and fostered community pride by getting vacant properties back into use.”

Reacting to her award, Angharad, who has been in her role since November 2023 , said:  “I am delighted to receive this award. It is such an honour to be able to help businesses in the local area.

“Working in partnership with Moray Council has enabled me to assist businesses with local issues. The local Town Centre Taskforce representatives have been instrumental in connecting me with landlords and individuals assisting with the Town Centre Regeneration.

“It is great to see new businesses, smaller businesses move to larger premises and to keep established businesses within the seven main towns in Moray.

“We are fortunate to have several regeneration projects in Moray which will help Town Centres go from strength to strength in the longer term.”

Angharad’s work has included collaborating with architects and developers to find solutions for first floor vacant properties to create more spaces for people to live and work.

She has also created three pop-up shops in Keith to encourage new enterprise, as well as encouraging local businesses to support each other.

A town centre task force was set up to tackle issues collectively across Moray.

Congratulating Angharad, Moray Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Sarah Medcraf said: “Anna’s work has been spread across Moray’s main towns and, whilst some of our town centres have needed more support than others, her can-do attitude and ability to support businesses of all sizes has made her a worthy winner of this award. I am proud to have Anna in our team and Moray is lucky to have her.” 

Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.

STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “One of the things we are celebrating through Scotland Loves Local is the fact that people make places. Anna is testament to that. Her commitment to supporting local people and local businesses is impressive and making a real difference to Moray’s town centres. This is a very well deserved award.”

“Anna has been an incredible driving force to the business community in Elgin when they faced challenges by working with them in providing solutions. She recognises fully how partnership support makes for a vibrant and thriving community. A true advocate of town centre first.”

Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local. This is the fifth year in which the awards have been held.