SCC Response to Pride in Place announcement

SCC backs £292m Pride in Place funding and urges councils to partner with business to boost local regeneration

The UK Government has announced a new “Pride in Place” programme to help over 330 of the most deprived communities take back control of their high streets. This includes £292 million in funding to improve neighbourhoods across Scotland through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The investment will support local regeneration, community infrastructure, and economic development projects.

Funding will be delivered through local authorities, with a focus on boosting pride in place and tackling regional inequalities.

Projects will include town centre improvements, green space upgrades, and support for local businesses and skills.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said:

“Through the Pride in Place programmes we’re announcing today, the UK Government will provide 14 places in Scotland with up to £20 million over 10 years and eight Scottish local authorities with £1.5 million over two years.

“Up to £280 million shared among 12 Scottish local authorities to precisely target areas which can benefit most from funding being made available for a wide range of regeneration projects.

“And a Pride in Place Impact Fund will see eight local authorities share £12 million to fund the types of changes people have said they want to see.”

Scottish Chambers of Commerce welcomes the announcement of £292 million  Pride in Place funding for Scottish Cities and Towns and extends invitation for Local Authorities to work with the Scottish Chambers Network to maximise the business sector opportunities as a key element of revitalising communities.

Successful businesses investing in our towns and cities and creating employment opportunities for local people are key to regeneration. With one fifth of Scots living in deprived areas – a figure unchanged since 2011 – it is vital that something is done to reverse the decline.

The blight which vacant and derelict land & buildings create is a serious problem in some locations around Scotland, but understanding the causes and designing deliverable, sustainable responses is key.

Across Scotland, Chambers of Commerce are already working closely in partnership with Local Authorities and a range of other agencies to drive this critical agenda. Looking at how this new funding can be leveraged to better effect alongside additional private sector investment should be a key focus.

The Chamber Network has the benefit of real-time intelligence from businesses which will support better decision making on how to deliver growth that is both impactful and inclusive, for the benefit of our towns and cities, their people and businesses.

Commenting on the announcement of new funding, Doug Smith, Vice President of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State have emphasised the importance of communities being engaged in decisions about how this welcome new funding is directed.

“The Scottish Chambers Network includes many hundreds of businesses members already operating across these cities and towns so there is a real opportunity to engage with local business communities to ensure that their knowledge and experience is used to ensure benefits of this funding are maximised and opportunities for parallel private sector investment identified.

“We await the full details of this strategy for renewal to see if the Government's policy can live up to its ambitions.”