28 October 2024
Optometrist and managing director of Urquhart Opticians, Peter Telfer, has received a national award that recognises the contribution he has made to the town of Kilmarnock.
Telfer, who owns 13 Urquhart Opticians practices in Ayrshire, was awarded the Scotland Loves Local Place Leader Award during a meeting of Kilmarnock Business Association on Tuesday 22 October.
He was presented with the award by Scotland’s Towns Partnership chief officer, Kimberley Guthrie.
“Every town in Scotland needs a Peter Telfer,” Guthrie said.
She added: “It’s fantastic to be able to recognise and reward all that he does for Kilmarnock and, indeed, the wider region.
“People make places and are at the heart of transforming our towns into places that people want to work, visit, live and – ultimately – invest in.”
Telfer is a member of Kilmarnock Town Board, and has been involved in projects including the promotion of the East Ayrshire Gift Card and the Scotland Loves Local campaign, which encourages people to shop locally.
He has also been involved in improvements to St Marnock’s Square, and in the creation of Kilmarnock’s Countess and Robert Burns murals.
His impact on Kilmarnock was described in his award nomination as “profound.”
The nomination noted that Telfer “has not only driven tangible improvements in Kilmarnock, but has inspired a sense of community spirit and collective purpose that will benefit the town for years to come.”
It also noted his support for local businesses and leadership in regeneration projects, which “have profoundly shaped the town’s landscape and future.”
Scotland Loves Local was created by Scotland’s Towns Partnership and is supported by the Scottish Government.
The campaign encourages people to create a better future for their community by choosing local.
The Scotland Loves Local Awards celebrate Scotland’s towns, with the aim of ensuring they become stronger and more sustainable.
Telfer said that he was “delighted” to be recognised, and said that it represented “an award for the whole community.”
“This is recognition of a lot of hard work by many businesses, people and organisations in Kilmarnock,” Telfer said.
Kilmarnock “is a town where we are making things happen and we have some great opportunities in front of us,” he added.
“It’s great to play a part in that, as so many others are.”
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