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New plan to save Scotland's town centre shops New plan to save Scotland's town centres
(about 11 hours later)
Public bodies should put "town centres first" in their decision-making.Public bodies should put "town centres first" in their decision-making.
The National Review of Town Centres, a report commissioned by the Scottish government, said a mix of leisure, public facilities and homes is needed.The National Review of Town Centres, a report commissioned by the Scottish government, said a mix of leisure, public facilities and homes is needed.
The review panel was chaired by architect Malcolm Fraser and included business figures and public bodies.The review panel was chaired by architect Malcolm Fraser and included business figures and public bodies.
The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) said the report was a "starting point" in dealing with the unprecedented challenges facing town centres.The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) said the report was a "starting point" in dealing with the unprecedented challenges facing town centres.
The recommendations of the review include:The recommendations of the review include:
'Rich mix''Rich mix'
Mr Fraser said: "Our Review offers the Scottish Government, and the people of Scotland, a range of measures to bring investment and footfall into the heart of our communities.Mr Fraser said: "Our Review offers the Scottish Government, and the people of Scotland, a range of measures to bring investment and footfall into the heart of our communities.
"Town centres offer a rich mix of live, work and play and we want to enhance that bustle and diversity: more people living there, encouragement for communities, businesses and local authorities and supportive planning and digital initiatives."Town centres offer a rich mix of live, work and play and we want to enhance that bustle and diversity: more people living there, encouragement for communities, businesses and local authorities and supportive planning and digital initiatives.
"There's wide agreement on the need for action and optimism that the changes proposed can help foster a renewed sense of community and enterprise.""There's wide agreement on the need for action and optimism that the changes proposed can help foster a renewed sense of community and enterprise."
The report draws attention to the way in which the tax system, controlled from Westminster, encourages out-of-town development.The report draws attention to the way in which the tax system, controlled from Westminster, encourages out-of-town development.
It states: "The iniquity of the VAT system, whereby a new-build in a field on the edge of town is publicly-subsidised by being excused VAT, while the repair of an existing building is burdened with the full 20%, is a formal UK-wide encouragement that squanders our resources, by hugely disadvantaging the old buildings and existing town centres at the heart of our communities."It states: "The iniquity of the VAT system, whereby a new-build in a field on the edge of town is publicly-subsidised by being excused VAT, while the repair of an existing building is burdened with the full 20%, is a formal UK-wide encouragement that squanders our resources, by hugely disadvantaging the old buildings and existing town centres at the heart of our communities."
Practical ideasPractical ideas
The Scottish government has said the work of the review will play a "crucial role" regenerating High Streets.The Scottish government has said the work of the review will play a "crucial role" regenerating High Streets.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon commented: "We recognise the national review group's passion for finding a future for our town centres and welcome their succinct and insightful review which outlines practical ideas for reenergising these areas.Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon commented: "We recognise the national review group's passion for finding a future for our town centres and welcome their succinct and insightful review which outlines practical ideas for reenergising these areas.
"Town centres are the lifeblood of our communities, functioning as places of social interaction and enterprise."Town centres are the lifeblood of our communities, functioning as places of social interaction and enterprise.
"By diversifying our high streets we will make them even better places to live, work and socialise.""By diversifying our high streets we will make them even better places to live, work and socialise."
There has been a cautious welcome for the review from retailers' representatives.There has been a cautious welcome for the review from retailers' representatives.
SRC Director Fiona Moriarty said: "It is clear that if town centres are to flourish then they must diversify to include living, social, cultural and leisure activities.SRC Director Fiona Moriarty said: "It is clear that if town centres are to flourish then they must diversify to include living, social, cultural and leisure activities.
"However, in doing so we mustn't lose sight that retail is at the heart of Scottish communities and should remain a key component of any successful town centre."However, in doing so we mustn't lose sight that retail is at the heart of Scottish communities and should remain a key component of any successful town centre.
"This means that lowering the costs and complexities of doing business on our high streets must be seen as a priority.""This means that lowering the costs and complexities of doing business on our high streets must be seen as a priority."
Ms Moriarty added: "We must not take the retail sector for granted and policy makers should use this report as an opportunity to fully grasp the scale and pace of change the sector, and by implication our high streets, are facing."Ms Moriarty added: "We must not take the retail sector for granted and policy makers should use this report as an opportunity to fully grasp the scale and pace of change the sector, and by implication our high streets, are facing."