McMillan Supports Town Centre Bids for Gourock and Port Glasgow

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today (Thursday) written to the Scottish Government to support the bids for Town Centre Regeneration Funding for Gourock and Port Glasgow town centres.

Mr McMillan said;

"I was pleased that Greenock was successful in tranche one of the Scottish Governments town centre regeneration fund and that £1.32m of support will be coming to the town centre.

"Nevertheless, I was disappointed that Inverclyde Council did not submit a bid for Gourock Town Centre during the first tranche of funding from the Scottish Government.

"It is obvious there has been a lack of investment in Gourock town centre for many years and its important that this bid is successful.

"I am also pleased that Inverclyde Council has decided to submit a more robust bid for funding for Port Glasgow town centre, which I hope will be successful this time around.

"I have, therefore, written to the Communities Minister to support bids for Inverclyde and I hope they will be successful as it will help reinvigorate the local economy.

McMillan Delighted at Town Centre Regeneration Funding For Inverclyde

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) is delighted with the funding Riverside Inverclyde is to receive for Greenock from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Mr. McMillan said;

"This is fantastic news for Greenock. We have seen a lot of great ongoing work to regenerate the area and this is a welcome boost from the SNP Government.

"Over £1 million going towards landscaping, new signs and public art I’m sure will be welcomed within the area and will give Greenock further encouragement for future regeneration.

"However, I would have liked to have seen some money for Gourock and Port Glasgow and I hope they are considered in the second round of funding which the applications close for at the end of the month".

McMillan Welcomes Further Info About Town Centre Regeneration Fund

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today (Thursday) welcomed further information published by the Scottish Government which offers questions and answers about the Town Centre Regeneration Fund and also a list of eligible towns which include Gourock and Greenock.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am pleased the Scottish Government has published further information about the Town Centre Regeneration Fund which gives a better insight into which towns are eligible to apply and how to proceed.

"It's important that bids come from Local Authorities, Community Planning Partnerships, Town Centre Management organisations, Business Improvement Districts, local Chambers of Commerce, Urban Regeneration Companies, Registered Social Landlords, businesses and third sector groups.
"This fund offers vital financial assistance for our town centres and I hope the relevant groups and organisations in Greenock and Gourock will submit bids.

McMillan Encourages Town Centre Regeneration Bids

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) is encouraging towns in Inverclyde to bid for their share of the £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund.
Applications for the scheme which aims to revitalise the country's hard pressed high streets are now open.

The fund will complement efforts already underway to support town and city centres across Scotland which are feeling the effects of the economic downturn.

Mr. McMillan said;

"The opening of applications to the Town Centre Regeneration Fund is good news for High Streets in Inverclyde as it means that they can bid for much needed funding in this tough economic climate.

"These are hard times for businesses and families across Scotland and the SNP Government in Scotland is working hard to meet these challenges and refocus activity and thus ensuring people in Inverclyde get through the economic downturn in the strongest possible position.

"This funding highlights the importance of Scotland's town centres to the economic and social fabric of the nation and the Scottish Government's commitment to the improvement of our local high streets.

"I hope people in Inverclyde take this opportunity to bid for funding for their town".

McMillan Welcomes Town Centre Regeneration

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has welcomed the release of more details on how the Town Centre Regeneration Fund approved as part of the budget process will operate.

The £60 million scheme will be open to a range of bodies including local authorities, Community Planning Partnerships, Business Improvement Districts, Town Centre Managers, local Chambers of Commerce, businesses and third sector groups.

Mr. McMillan said;

"I have recently written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth to encourage the regeneration of town centres in Inverclyde.

"This is an issue I know many people in Inverclyde care about and I am keen to see our town centres, which are the heart of our community, survive the current economic climate.

"The SNP Government has pledged to take action for our town centres and the introduction of the £60 million regeneration fund is a welcomed example of the Government taking decisive action.

"Investing money in the town centres of Inverclyde is crucial and I hope to see several successful bids from the area for this funding".