Scottish Conservative MPs elected at the General Election on July 4 will lobby the UK Government for funding that would be dedicated to revitalising town centres.
Deputy leader Meghan Gallacher has made the announcement today ahead of a visit to Giffnock alongside Sandesh Gulhane, the party’s candidate in the East Renfrewshire seat.
The ‘Save our town centres fund’ would allow councils across Scotland to bid directly for Levelling Up funding from the UK Government to support community facilities and local businesses.
The fund could also be used to take “innovative” policy decisions to boost town centres such as scrapping business rates for local firms and creating tax-free zones, as well as getting rid of public parking charges.
The UK Government’s Levelling Up funding has already delivered millions for areas across Scotland, including the Scottish Borders, Moray and Dumfries and Galloway.
And, on Friday, the Prime Minister announced that four Scottish towns – Helensburgh, Perth, Alloa and Mayfield, Midlothian – are among 30 across the UK which will receive £20m each for town centre regeneration in the next tranche of funding under a UK Conservative government.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher has urged the SNP Government to work with the UK Government over the fund, but to also deliver positive measures of their own for Scotland’s town centres.
She says that should start with the SNP finally passing on the same rates relief to hospitality, retail and leisure businesses that is available in England, and to get rid of any plans to introduce workplace parking levies.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher MSP said: “Town centres across Scotland are struggling. They need major investment to remain key parts of local communities.
“That’s why Scottish Conservative candidates will argue for a ‘Save Our Town Centres’ fund to help high streets up and down Scotland.
“The fund would be directly available to Scottish councils to revitalise our town centres. They could use it to scrap rates for small businesses or scrap car park charges.
“This cash boost would supplement the funding already available to Scottish councils. We would not make cuts to councils, as the SNP have done for many years.
“We will also call for the SNP to finally support our town centres by delivering business rates relief and ending their plans to introduce a car park tax.
“In key seats across Scotland, only the Scottish Conservatives can beat the SNP and get the focus onto the issues that really matter, such as supporting local high streets and town centres.”