Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Council chief puts his faith in action plans
North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue highlighted a number of “challenges” relating to our findings on empty shop units in Airdrie and Coatbridge town centres.
But the Airdrie councillor remains optimistic about both towns ’futures and claimed some “exciting news ”is in the pipeline for early next year and action plans are set out for the next decade.
Councillor Logue told the Advertiser: “This is not just an issue in Airdrie and Coatbridge – traditional town centres across the UK are facing difficult times, as more people shop online or in out-oftown retail parks. There is no doubt at all that we face significant challenges.
“However, we are being proactive in tackling these challenges, putting investment in our town centres first to create an attractive environment for businesses to locate and for residents to live and shop.
“In what is a crucial part of our strategy, we are currently in high-level discussions with the Scottish Government about key aspects of the town centre in Airdrie – and I hope to have exciting news to share about this early in the new year.
“In Coatbridge, we successfully bid for a £800,000 grant from Historic Scotland to help property owners in the Blairhill and Dunbeth Conservation Area carry out external improvement works through our Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme.”
Mr Logue continued: “In both Airdrie and Coatbridge we have developed a Town Centre Framework and Action Plan, setting out how we see the towns developing over the next 10 years.
“These were produced following consultation with local residents, shoppers and businesses and include opportunities to improve transport and parking, supporting existing businesses to grow, attracting new shops, and bringing events and activities into the town centres.
“A key objective is to maintain existing public services in town centres and to locate new services there, as this helps to improve access to local services and bring more people into the town centres.
“Excellent examples of this are the Buchanan Centre in Coatbridge, which locates health and council services in one modern facility, and the community health centre and One Wellwynd social enterprise centre in Airdrie.
“Town Centre Activities now provide free wi-fi in all our town centres, highlighting special offers for shoppers, and offer free digital marketing training to local businesses to help develop their services online.
“We are continuing to work with public and private sector partners to address the challenges facing town centres and identify ways to increase footfall and boost the local economy.
“People can read more about our town centre frameworks for Airdrie and Coatbridge by visiting the council website at www.northlanarkshire.gov. uk and searching for ‘town centre framework’.”