Scotland's town centres and local high streets are a source of services, employment and leisure activity for their local populations, acting as the hearts of their local communities. They are a key contributor to the national economy, supporting achievement of the Government's purpose of supporting sustainable economic growth across the whole of Scotland for the benefit of all.
To be vital and sustainable, towns need to be responsive to local needs and to strike the right balance between choice and sustainability in order to be competitive and attractive centres. The result will look different in different places, and the diversity of our towns is one of their strengths. There is therefore no 'one size fits all' model for town centres. They need clear direction, management, local solutions and partnership working between private and public sectors if they are to be truly successful places.
For this reason, issues of towns and town centres are at heart for local authorities to lead on with local private and public sector partners.
The Government wants to support all those who protect and enhance our town centres, and to see what we can do that makes a positive and distinctive difference. Action that we have already taken includes our ongoing support for Business Improvement Districts, our introduction of the Small Business Bonus Scheme and our planning policy.
The Government has also published a Literature Review and summary which explores what policies have been adopted to support a healthy retail sector and undertake retail led regeneration, and what impact retail has had on the regeneration of town centres and local high streets. Most recently, the Government launched the Town Centre Regeneration Fund, a new £60m capital fund available to town centres and local high streets from April 2009 to March 2010.
Learning Network
The Town Centres and Local High Streets Learning Network, developed by the Scottish Centre for Regeneration, is a cross-Government initiative that supports people and organisations to improve the way Scottish town centres and high streets are made more vital and vibrant and lively. The network gives practical help to organisations and individuals involved in decision-making and providing front-line services.