BUSINESSES are coming together to highlight events and tackle shoplifting.

Haddington has not had an umbrella business group in recent years since the Haddington Business Community Partnership disbanded.

Earlier this year, Councillor George McGuire highlighted the benefits of having a representative group for the various organisations.

Theresa Laing, chairwoman of the town’s community council, highlighted that steps were being taken.

In a report ahead of the group’s annual general meeting, she wrote: “We are delighted to have welcomed quite a few new businesses to Haddington this year and we have worked with Karla Munn to create a more extensive WhatsApp group of businesses.

“This will enable us to send texts quickly regarding events/notices but it will also be a quick way for shop owners to inform other businesses if they have had a shoplifting incident and hopefully this may act as a deterrent.”

Mrs Laing also highlighted the work that was going on to ensure the town centre was as attractive as possible to both residents and visitors.

Thousands of pounds have been spent through a shopfront improvements grant scheme, which has seen the community council work alongside East Lothian Council.

READ MORE: More than £100,000 spent on improving Haddington shopfronts

The community council chairwoman said: “We have an active town centre group within Haddington and District Community Council and I hope that you have noticed the improvements to many of the shopfronts in the town centre.

“This is a collaborative project developed by Haddington and District Community Council and East Lothian Council with funding from the UK Shared Property Fund.

“We contacted all the businesses and made them aware of the grants which they could apply for.

“We also held an information evening for those businesses who wanted to hear more about applying for the grants.”

The community council’s annual general meeting was due to take place in Knox Academy earlier this month.

However, there were not enough members able to attend for the meeting to go ahead.

In her written statement, Mrs Laing highlighted the work of the voluntary group, such as looking at various planning applications, including the controversial plans to ‘relocate’ East Links Family Park from the outskirts of West Barns to East Fortune.

READ MORE: Haddington shop gets reprieve after breaking alcohol rules

A decision on the application is yet to be made by the Scottish Government appointed Reporter.

Mrs Laing said: “This has been yet another an active year for us on the community council.

“I want to start by personally thanking all the members of the community council for their hard work and support that they have contributed over the last year because being a volunteer isn’t always easy.”

The community council also unveiled a plaque recognising John Knox at the steps leading to the oak tree on the town’s Giffordgate.

Mrs Laing added: “He liked to call himself Tynototerius, the man from the Tyne and always remembered his birthplace of Haddington with pride.

“Love him or loathe him he was arguably an important figure who changed the course of Scottish history.

“We worked with Haddington East Tenants’ and Residents’ Association and Haddington History Society to ensure this happened and Blooming Haddington has since, very kindly, created a planter at the bottom of the steps.”