WIREDGOV

The Scottish Government is to fund a group aiming to revive Scotland’s town centres, Local Government and Planning Minister Derek Mackay announced yesterday.

The Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) has been awarded a £186,000 two-year development grant to strengthen its role as the ‘go-to’ body for information, advice and sharing of expertise around town centre development.

STP’s estimate their reach is now into almost 200 cities, towns and villages across Scotland and covers settlements with a total population of 3.8 million people.

This reinforces the action the Scottish Government is already taking to transform town centres through the Town Centre First Principle, the Housing Fund and the extension of the Small Business Bonus Scheme.

These initiatives are helping to create vibrant, attractive and safe places where local people want to spend their time and money.

Mr Mackay said:

“Across Scotland, when you look collectively at the efforts being made by public, private or third sector to deliver on the themes highlighted within the Town Centre Action Plan, we’re investing a lot to revitalise our town centres.

“This is the ideal time to support STP to strengthen their offer, draw from the expertise and energy of professionals and organisations from across Scotland and share and promote more widely the projects and ideas that are already underway.

“Ultimately, we want to see more and more success build from the practical action and innovation emerging already in various pockets of the country.

“We are also working closely with local authorities and the wider public sector to consider the impact of their investment decisions on town centres.

“The National Planning Framework 3 and Scottish Planning Policy also highlight town centres as assets to local communities, visitors and businesses.”

Leigh Sparks, Chair of the Scotland’s Towns Partnership welcomed the news

“I am obviously delighted by this very welcome news of Scottish Government support. Scotland’s Towns Partnership looks forward to working with towns and communities across Scotland, and with the Scottish Government, as we all seek to drive forward local action in support of the Town Centre Action Plan and the recommendations of the Town Centre Review.

"Scotland’s Towns are a vital resource for the country and the Government’s keen interest in their enhancement and improvement has been well recognised in recent years. This support for the work of Scotland’s Towns Partnership will enable further and more rapid progress on this vital issue.

“Scotland’s Towns Partnership provides essential support for anchor organisations seeking to rejuvenate Scotland’s towns; enabling them to deliver best value, sustainable projects and empowering their local, business and wider communities."

Notes To Editors

The Scottish Government published the Town Centre Action Plan in November 2013.

A two-year TCAP Demonstration Phase is now underway, with a range of cross-government departments undertaking projects testing out the key themes and ideas highlighted by the earlier National Review of Town Centres, undertaken by a multi-disciplinary External Advisory Group and chaired by eminent Scottish Architect Malcolm Fraser.

Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) is an unique collaborative of capable, experienced and energetic professionals and organisations who have come together to provide a one stop shop for Scotland’s towns communities. Their experience is drawn from across local authorities, professional bodies and the wider private and social sectors.

Scotland’s Towns Partnership was launched in 2012. The Group’s Chair, Professor Leigh Sparks of Stirling University, the STPG has long-campaigned for the revitalisation of Scotland’s Towns. STP’s membership base is drawn from across the public, private and community sectors.

STP’s estimate their reach is now into almost 200 cities, towns and villages across Scotland and covers settlements with a total population of 3.8 million people. They have links to over 270 professionals, cover 100,000 businesses and 1.5 million jobs.