Many issues facing our high streets
Recently, I met with the Federation of Small Businesses to discuss key issues and opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises and the local economy.
We discussed bank branch closures in Rutherglen and Hamilton West which is not only challenging for people who may struggle to travel to another branch, but creates barriers for small businesses who need to access local facilities and bank cash and risks the further decline of our town centres by giving locals fewer reasons to come to the high street.
The UK Labour manifesto pledged to stop banks closing when there is a clear need for them. We may not be in government, but I still want to see that commitment become reality.
One suggestion made by FSB is for banks to share branches to cut costs.
UK tax payers stepped in to save the banking industry from collapse, the very least banks can do in return is to work together to ensure communities can retain local banking services.
I have written to the three main banks that have closed branches in Rutherglen and Hamilton West to see if this option has ever been explored.
Local banking is just one issue reflecting the changing nature of our town centres.
Recently, I attended a meeting with representatives of Cambuslang Community Council, Scotland’s Towns Partnership and politicians from all parties to discuss Cambuslang Main Street and the challenges facing businesses in the area.
It is clear there is cross-party support for improving the Main Street but it would be wrong to pretend there are any quick fixes.
Short term, the council could look at improving parking, tidying up the Main Street, and retailers’ bins sitting on pavements.
Local councillors like Margaret Walker and groups such as Cambuslang Community Council are constantly pursuing these issues.
But, in the longer term, we need a collaborative effort with buy in from everyone from the Scottish Government to the local community.
The issues facing Cambuslang are felt by communities up and down 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 must decide what function our town centres should serve and how we want them to look.
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 to give people more reasons to come to our high streets and increase footfall.
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.
It is becoming more difficult for retailers to survive on local high streets