Work is needed to retain local banking services
challenges in the last few years.
In Blantyre, many residents and businesses are concerned about Asda’s plans to redevelop the Clydeview Shopping Centre.
Investment is to be welcomed, but the small businesses currently based there face an uncertain future and it is not yet clear whether Asda will offer them new accommodation.
Across the country, it is becoming more difficult for retailers to survive on local high streets as shopping habits change and more of us head out of town or buy online.
We need to give people more reasons to shop local and increase footfall on the high street.
Projects like the Classic Car Show and Ready Steady Gallop run by Hamilton Business Improvement District and great local groups like Blantyre Community Council make a massive difference and help to keep the issue of town centres on the agenda.
Short term, there are things the local council can look at tackling such as parking issues but, in the longer term, we need a collaborative effort with buy in from everyone from the Scottish Government to the local community.
We need to work together to get the right mix of housing, civic space, services such as GP practices and high-speed broadband and a diverse range of businesses.
Many of the powers we need to bring about these changes lie with local councils and the Scottish Government.
Tory mismanagement of the economy at Westminster has made matters worse but, whilst those with the power to act must always be held accountable, I do not believe local people want their politicians to needlessly bicker over issues such as this.
They want things to improve and to do that we need to work together to properly understand the issues and be realistic about the solutions.