The innovative work taking place to shape a stronger future for towns across the country was celebrated at a special event in the Scottish Parliament.
Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur MSP was among the politicians, community and Business Improvement District leaders who championed projects which are improving local economies and creating better places to live, work and visit.
The Celebration of Towns, held on Wednesday (2nd October), provided an opportunity for stakeholders and MSPs to come together and celebrate the crucial role that towns and town centres play in driving economic growth and embracing localism, while hearing about the latest developments emerging in Scottish placemaking.
It was organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, the voice of the country’s towns – championing their place at the heart of the nation and advocating their pivotal role in building a stronger, more resilient future.
Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur MSP told those gathered at Holyrood: “Our towns and town centres are vital to the collective wellbeing of our society, economy and environment; they are also key to unlocking a sense of community place and identity.
“Regeneration of our town centres can be part of a solution to many of the big challenges facing us and contribute to delivering a wide range of national ambitions on a local level.
“The recent PFG has set out the First Minister’s priorities: eradicating child poverty, growing our economy, tackling the climate emergency and improving public services.
“The cross-cutting nature of the Scottish Government’s regeneration work means that our city and town centres play a critical role in helping to address these priority issues. It’s vital that we put town centres at the heart of decision making, in recognition of the town centre first principle.
“The importance of choosing and supporting local is abundantly clear – increased footfall helps unlock spending and wealth into our local places, key in supporting thriving local economies and community wealth building. Thriving town centres and highstreets are the heat of our ambitions for living well locally. “
Event sponsor and Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Towns and Town Centres, Meghan Gallacher MSP, also spoke at the event, saying: “Scotland’s Towns are a vital part of our past, present and future, and are the heart of our communities.
“Many have embarked on bold, ambitious plans to create new ways to create diverse town centres. We need to ensure all levels of government are working together with communities and businesses to address the challenges they face and to ensure our town centres can thrive.”
Other speakers included Fergus Murray, Head of Development & Economic Growth at Argyll and Bute Council, and Alisdair Morrison, Head of Economy and Development at Renfrewshire Council.
STP’s Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie closed the event, saying: “It has been fantastic to showcase great examples of rural, island and urban towns who are carrying out tremendous work in their local places. From Orkney to Stranraer, Paisley and Perth, I have had the privilege of visiting some extraordinary projects over the past few months on our towns tour.
“At the heart of all of these examples is the people who make things happen – and I am a firm believer in ‘people make places’. We see this not only through the work of our Business Improvement Districts and community groups, but through all stakeholders challenged with making our towns places where people want to live, work, visit and invest in.
“I would like to thank the Minister and the Scottish Government for their ongoing support on this hugely important work.”
The Scotland’s Towns Annual Conference will take place in Perth Concert Hall on 27th November.
