Two Ayrshire towns are in line to receive a £20 million boost following the UK Budget on October 30.
Funding for seven overlooked towns in Scotland – including Kilmarnock and Irvine – had been announced by Rishi Sunak’s government but there had been no firm guarantees from Labour they wouldn’t be revised.
However, Keir Starmer’s government have now confirmed the funding – which will be delivered at £2 million per year over the next decade – will go ahead subject to business case approval.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has welcomed the news and has called on the Scottish Government and local councils to match the funding.
Overlooked towns funding – which is being made available to 75 towns across the UK including Kilmarnock, Irvine, Dumfries, Greenock, Coatbridge, Clydebank and Elgin – is targeted to help regenerate high streets.
Mr Smyth said: “I very much welcome the confirmation of this funding for Kilmarnock.
“Our town centres have traditionally been the heartbeat of our communities – bringing people together to live, work, shop and socialise.
“However, traditional town centres are under pressure and under threat with too many shops closing and too many high streets dominated by ‘to let’ signs.
“Changing retail trends, including the growth in e-commerce and the expansion of retail park alternatives, combined with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, continues to create a difficult trading environment.
“Kilmarnock is long overdue a boost to help make some much needed improvements. But clearly this money alone won’t deliver the scale of the change we need.
“Ultimately, funding for town centre regeneration is a matter for the Scottish Government and councils. The ball is now in their court to match this welcome funding from the UK Government so we can really kick start the regeneration of our town.
“I look forward to seeing the plans for the town.”
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