Summit on town centre

Plans to improve

Coatbridge traders and residents joined forces to discuss possible improvements for the town centre at a public meeting.

More than two dozen local business and community representatives attended the forum – which will now see a steering group established to formulate an action plan.

The meeting was arranged by Fulton MacGregor, the town’s MSP, after he had been “contacted by several constituents about Main Street and the fact that there are so many empty shops there”.

Coatbridge town centre saw its branch of the Clydesdale Bank close six months ago, while Airdrie Savings Bank will shut its doors next month and employees from the local Department of Work and Pensions processing centre are due to be relocated to Motherwell or Glasgow as part of a nationwide review of premises.

The meeting was attended by a cross-party group of local councillors, plus local authority officials.

Mr MacGregor told the Advertiser: “It’s clear to see that Coatbridge town centre has been in decline for many years; and following recent announcements, I felt that something had to be done.

“I was pleased that so many people and businesses attended, and by the positivity about making improvements.

“Now I’m in the process of establishing the steering group, which will put together a plan for improving our town centre.”

Anyone who would like to be involved can email fulton. macgregor. msp@ parliament.scot or call 01236 897540.