To celebrate Scotland’s Town Centre Week, Rachael Hamilton MSP invited Ruth Davidson MSP around the local shops in Kelso in the Scottish Borders.
The week that runs from 20th – 26th November is an opportunity to collaborate, share best practice, interests and opportunities and ultimately to bring life, vitality and vibrancy back into our town centres.
Rachael Hamilton MSP and the Rt Hon Ruth Davidson MSP, with Council Leader Shona Haslam and Cllr Mark Rowley, visited local shops around Kelso square to listen to the challenges they face and also their views on how to improve the town centre.
Latest statistics show that footfall in Kelso has fallen by 4% and other areas in the Borders follow a similar trend.
The Scottish Conservative run Scottish Borders Council, as outlined in its vision for the Borders, will adapt the Local Development Plan to promote diversification in town centres that encourages new and existing businesses to flourish by making it easier for a greater variety of business types to set up, including specialist retailers, offices, tourist businesses, cafes and restaurants.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said: "It was a real pleasure to show Ruth around Kelso and hear the concerns and views of local shops. Kelso is a magnificent town and I am really happy to have recently opened a constituency office here.
"However, footfall in Kelso, as in other areas in the Borders, is falling – and the Scottish Government needs to take action to resolve that.
"A simple way the SNP Government can do that is to stop the extortionate business rates increase and rule out proposals to increase income tax for everyone that earns 24 thousand pounds and over.
"Another way to help local businesses is to improve broadband. Businesses in towns like Kelso are crying out for reliable superfast broadband to help them grow."
Scottish Conservative Scottish Borders Council leader, Shona Haslam said: "The Scottish Conservative Council group are determined to increase footfall in our towns despite damaging SNP Government led proposals.
"As set out in our vision, ‘Connected Borders’, we will adapt the Local Development Plan to promote diversification in town centres that encourages new and existing businesses to flourish here in Kelso and elsewhere in the Scottish Borders."
A local Kelso resident said: "Before Rachael even opened her office in Kelso, she helped fix the Town Clock and got Kelso running on time.
"The clock ran around 2 minutes late and a swift letter to Rachael followed by swift action by Rachael meant that little issue was resolved. Small things like that do make a difference to our town square and I for one will be forever grateful."