A majority of people in Scotland live in towns. But in recent years these important local places have sustained hundreds of bank branch, public sector and chain-shop closures.
So how do we help places like Kirkcaldy, Kirkwall, Dumfries and Dornoch overcome their current challenges and prepare them for how we’ll work and live in the future?
Given the pivotal role which local businesses play in the economies in towns across Scotland, at FSB we believe that smaller firms are vital to these places’ future success. But small businesses can’t deliver on their own.
Our new #FSBmyTown campaign asks for more support for our towns from government at all levels. And our new report details a selection of ideas to give our towns a long-term boost.
If a Scottish small town is close to your heart, we’re asking you to support our new campaign work and help us make the case for action to decision-makers.
What are we asking for?
We're asking for seven things to help Scottish towns thrive
Deliver smart solutions for empty units
The Scottish Government should create an empty property commission to investigate how to bring more long-term empty properties back into use.
Give high streets extra relief
The Scottish Government and Councils should co-design targeted business rates help for hard-pressed high streets
Invest in the long-term success of towns
The Scottish National Investment Bank and the UK Government should invest tens of millions of pounds over the next decade to fund transformational regeneration projects in local towns.
Roll out shared banking hubs in hard-hit towns
The UK Government should instruct Scotland’s biggest banks to roll-out shared banking hubs in Scottish towns with no local facilities.
Provide targeted tech help for high street retailers
Scottish Enterprise should create Digital Towns teams to improve the digital capabilities of independent traders.
Create a network of low carbon, smart towns
The Scottish Government should set up a taskforce to investigate how to deliver low carbon infrastructure - like electric charging points - outside of Scotland’s cities.
Modernise Scotland’s commercial property market
The Scottish Government should look to regulate the commercial property market by introducing standard terms in commercial leases for small businesses.
Our member stories
FSB members Debbie Lenaghen and Alisa Campbell talk about running a business in a small town.
Read the report
Read the report and download resources to share on social media.
Get involved!
Download our social media assets and tweet them using the hashtag #FSBmyTown.
What do you see as the future of your town? Help us make the case to improve your town by sharing your ideas in videos and selfies using the hashtag #FSBmyTown.