Small shops welcome MSPs' town centre action call

Leah Halliday runs the Flourish community space and gift shop in Dumfries

A call for action to halt the long-term decline of Scotland's town centres has been welcomed in one town MSPs visited for their research on the issue.

A new report makes a string of recommendations on what can be done to reverse the downward trend.

The economy and fair work committee came to Dumfries to see its community-led Midsteeple Quarter scheme.

Its model of buying up empty properties to bring back into use could be adopted in other parts of the country.

The MSPs' report called for town planning to be strengthened to prevent unfair competition from new developments.

The committee visited Dumfries to see if it had any lessons for the rest of the country

It also sought a "rebalancing" of business rates and for the government to tackle derelict buildings.

Convener Claire Baker said the report signalled a "line in the sand" for how town centres are supported.

Committee members visited Burntisland, Hamilton, Inverurie and Fraserburgh throughout their research.

They also saw the impact of the Midsteeple Quarter regeneration project in Dumfries which is being held up as a potential solution for other parts of country.

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Leah Halliday is project manager of the Flourish community space and gift shop in one of the previously empty shops which the scheme has bought up to bring back into use.

"I think definitely Midsteeple Quarter has helped with taking over some of the buildings," she said.

"Community empowerment is really, really important.

"I think one of the major problems has been absentee landlords and so that the community can have a say on what's in the buildings really helps with shaping how the town looks."

However, she said there was clearly still work to be done and anything more which could be offered to help financially would be welcome.

Carol Craig has run a clothing and gift shop in Dumfries for a decade

"As businesses it's extremely hard with the cost of living crisis, the cost of electricity - there's a lot of overheads before you are then making a profit," she said.

She said any assistance could help to ensure there were fewer empty buildings but the public also had a part to play.

"People need to support the other independent businesses and other businesses in the town," she said.

"Yes, you have got to wander to support them, but if you don't use us you are going to lose us."

The Midsteeple Quarter has bought up a number of empty properties in Dumfries

Carol Craig has run a clothes and gift shop in the town for 10 years and said that - as highlighted by the report - there was a lot still needed to be done.

"I feel that the small businesses could do with a lot more help than what we are getting," she said.

"We've to pay for everything, we get no funding for anything - I just sometimes think it is unfair.

"We struggle away and the town centre is a mess.

"You have to pay for every single thing - which I can understand - but it is a struggle."

She said free advice, financial help, a tidier town centre and some reduction of overheads would be really welcome.

"I would love a shop in the High Street but I can't afford a shop in the High Street," she added.

A multi-million pound overhaul of one building is under way in Dumfries as part of efforts to regenerate the area

The new report has called for more transparency on ownership and that all property and landowners should be contactable.

MSPs also heard evidence from business representatives who said the business rates system was "inequitable and unfair".

The report said the current system worked against investment and growth in town centre retail - and should be rebalanced.

While local authorities do have powers to tackle derelict buildings, it said there can often be a "reluctance" to enforce actions due to a lack of resources.

Claire Baker visited Dumfries earlier this year to see the work being done

Support from national and local government was also highlighted but it was stressed each town needed its own plan which recognised its "unique nature".

Ms Baker said the positive benefits of a thriving town centre were clear.

"As we move into a challenging period for our retail sector, our committee is unified in its call that vibrant, thriving town centres must be prioritised," she said.

"We know there is no quick fix but unless we start now, then we won't be able to halt the accelerated decline of recent years we've seen already in too many communities across Scotland."