Ruraidh Stewart, the Scottish Conservative candidate for Inverness, Skye & West Ross-shire, has announced plans to lobby the UK Government for additional funding to rejuvenate town centres if elected at the General Election on July 4th.
Ruraidh has highlighted the struggles of towns such as Fort William and Portree, calling for significant investment to invigorate these vital community hubs. Ruraidh stated, "Town centres like Fort William and Portree are in desperate need of substantial investment to ensure they continue to be the vibrant heart of our local communities,"
If elected, he promises to campaign for a dedicated 'Save Our Town Centres Fund' from the UK Government. This fund would deliver targeted financial support directly to The Highland Council, complementing existing funding sources like the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal.
"UK Government levelling-up funding has already provided millions for communities across Highland," Ruraidh noted. "This proposed fund would enable councils to implement positive measures to support town centres such as Fort William and Portree and the city of Inverness This could include eliminating business rates for struggling enterprises or removing parking charges in these areas.”
Ruraidh emphasised the necessity for the SNP Government to collaborate with the UK Government on this initiative. "The SNP Government must work with the UK Government on this fund and also deliver their own support for town centres. This includes passing on business rates relief and ruling out any plans to introduce a workplace car park tax,"
Ruraidh stated, "If I am fortunate enough to be elected as MP for Inverness, Skye & West Ross-shire on July 4th, I will be lobbying hard for this dedicated Save Our Town Centres Fund. The funding will go directly to The Highland Council to be used for much-needed investment in our town centres, supplementing the existing council allocation.”
Ruraidh added, "We need bold actions like scrapping business rates for struggling businesses and removing parking charges in our town centres to breathe new life into our local economies. The UK Government's Levelling Up funding has already shown what is possible, and I will fight tirelessly for more."
"The SNP Government must step up and collaborate with the UK Government on this vital fund. They should also ensure they pass on the rates relief available to businesses in England and abandon any plans for a workplace car park tax, which would only add to the burden on our local businesses," he concluded.