West Lothian towns 'need protection' from future risks after pandemic
dailyrecord.co.ukA move to protect town centres across West Lothian from future uncertainties has been given unanimous backing by local councillors.In the wake of the covid pandemic and lockdowns, and amid a cost of living crisis, a review will be carried out into ways of protecting town centre viability.There was cross-party support for the study at a recent meeting of the Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth Building Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel.That support was backed with calls with greater engagement with communities and local councillors, and a bold approach to imagine a different future.“We need to stop thinking in old money,” said Armadale’s Independent councillor Stuart Borrowman.All town centres have changed rapidly in recent years with the real growth moving from commercial trade such as butchers and bakers and small stores to services such as hairdressing and nail bars.
Fears have been expressed in towns such as Bathgate that, while the centre remains vibrant, the diversity and range of businesses is shrinking.In a report to the committee Stuart Ness, a Tourism and Town Centre Manager with the council said: “West Lothian’s traditional town centres have, over recent years, felt the impact of economic change and changing shopping patterns; further compounded by the unprecedented challenges of the recent pandemic and now the cost of living crisis.He added: “These changes also offer opportunities and Economic Development works closely with Town Centre Management Groups, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), local trader and business associations, individual businesses and sole traders, all of which bring together local stakeholders with the collective aim of creating more vibrant, sustainable and prosperous
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