New £50m Town Centre Fund Should Support Innovation - Stevenson

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of a £50 million Town Centre Fund and has said it should support innovative ideas to help our high streets.

Stewart Stevenson with at the Home Bakery with
Hamish McLeay, Denise Sivewright (Café) and Jack McGregor (Baker)

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay announced in the Scottish Government’s a new ring-fenced £50 million Town Centre Fund for 2019-20 has been allocated within the local authority capital settlement to drive local economic activity and to stimulate and support place-based and future-looking economic improvements to town centres.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“This announcement of funding in the draft Scottish Budget is extremely welcome. Having spent some time last year visiting a range of new businesses, refreshed businesses and other community schemes I would very much wish to see this funding support innovative ideas which can support our town centres.

“In so doing, this would not only support potential new businesses but also supporting existing shops and businesses by increasing footfall and visitors to town centres.”

Stewart Stevenson with Wayne Stewart
owner of the Knowes Hotel

The Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, Phil Prentice, has also welcomed the announcement as a timely boost for communities saying:

“It’s no secret that Scotland’s town centres have faced many challenges, from the aftermath of the last recession to the growth of online retail. However, we are beginning to see our town centres emerge as a new force for social good - a crucial community asset that local people want to see thrive. People now see town centres as community hubs with a real social offering and a movement towards lifestyle services, food and drink, digital, and tourism”.