The Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnerships and Programme Director of Scotland’s Improvement Districts, Phil Prentice, has welcomed a new report on towns published by the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland.
The study – called Transforming Towns – urges the Scottish Government and the UK Government to direct the Scottish National Investment Bank and the UK Stronger Towns Fund respectively to invest in Scotland’s towns.
FSB argues that these funds should set aside £90 million every year over the next decade to invest in projects to make Scottish towns better places to work, live and run a business.
Speaking about the publication of Transforming Towns, Phil Prentice said:
“Scotland’s Towns Partnership welcomes this analysis from FSB and believe that the time is right for a renewed focus and investment for our town centres and high streets. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and town centres are the backbone of our communities.
“The report acknowledges some of the fantastic innovation taking place in our towns across Scotland, helping our towns regenerate and evolve in the context of growing online retail. It is important this success and imagination is celebrated, and we examine what lessons can be learned and applied in other areas across the country.”
“As the national agency for towns, STP will continue to work proactively
across the country to drive innovation and support the building of
successful places.”
Read FSB Scotland’s news release about the report here.
The full report – Transforming Towns – can be downloaded here.
Notes
- For media inquiries, contact Gareth Brown, gareth@messagematters.co.uk / 07907 520 571
- More information on Scotland’s Towns Partnership can be found here.
