The changing face of Scotland’s ailing high streets – and how to turn their fortunes around – is the focus of an event to be held in Crieff.
Everyone from local activists to businesses and politicians have been invited to come together to hear how new approaches are required for the “transformational change” needed in a new era of commerce.
The workshop event, run by Can Do Places, is looking at the changed landscape of towns where familiar retailers have fallen by the wayside in recent times leaving “challenging holes in the high street”.
Event host and founder of Can Do Places, Iain Scott, is adamant that a new approach can help to revitalise town centres by turning empty buildings into collaborative working spaces.
He says that while getting such ventures off the ground is not always an easy undertaking, the benefits for communities and organisations prepared to put in the effort can be immense to the local economy.
“The good news is that community groups can help turn these places around whilst generating an independent income for their trust or organisation,” said Mr Scott.
“They can get involved into converting vacant stores and banks into a ‘Can Do Space’. Each can be worth a minimum of half a million pounds to a small town in Scotland.
“Multiply that half a million pounds across Scotland’s towns and you suddenly see a transformative opportunity to invest in the future.
“Two thousand new and growing businesses can be created – thus pumping a staggering £240 million into the Scottish economy.”
People interested in breathing new life into their town are being invited to take part in the practical workshop at the Strathearn Artspace in Crieff — itself an inspiring example of how this transformational change can take place say the organisers — on Tuesday May 22 from 10am to 3.30pm.
“It is open to anyone who longs to see their local economy and town, city or village thrive,” said Mr Scott.
For further information, contact Fiona Colquhoun at fiona@candoplaces.org or 07795180964.
