How can Scotland’s high streets be revitalised?
The Scottish Affairs Committee will hold the first evidence session of its inquiry into the future of Scotland’s high streets on Wednesday 21 Januaryat 9:30am.
Meeting details
This evidence session follows a committee survey where we asked Scots for their thoughts on their local high street, receiving over 300 responses. Of those, 77% were ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ unhappy with their local high street or town centre – only 14% were ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ happy.
However, 77% of respondents also said that their local high street remained an important part of their local community, with 50% of respondents visiting it at least once a week. Findings from this survey will directly inform the committee’s questioning and the wider inquiry.
In the first panel, the cross-party committee will hear from experts in urban design and placemaking. MPs may focus on how Scotland’s high streets have changed in recent years and the structural challenges facing high streets across the UK, as well as how best government can support thriving high streets and town centre regeneration.
In the second panel, MPs will question the Scotland Director of the Federation of Small Businesses to hear from the small business sector, which makes up an important part of the fabric of the high street. Members may investigate the potential contribution of small businesses to sustaining and revitalising the high street, challenges small high street businesses face, and what support they want from the government.