Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley has given her support to Discover Lanark’s campaign to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) in the town.

A BID is an initiative where businesses work in partnership with Local Authorities to regenerate their town centres.

Discover Lanark have produced a 5-year costed business plan setting out the projects and services put forward by the town’s businesses and organisations that the BID will implement.

There will be a vote of all Lanark businesses in February next year to decide whether to adopt a BID scheme or not.

Commenting, Angela said:

“Town centres across the country are struggling to remain relevant.

“This is down to a number of factors, including the shift in consumerism and the rise of out of town shopping centres.

“As a result, empty town centre units are on the rise.

“And as these challenges become more apparent, it is vital that we have a strategy to meet them head-on.

“Discover Lanark have a plan backed by aspiration, ambition and with a solid foundation.

“As a rate-payer in the town, I’ll be voting Yes next February and I hope other businesses will so the same.”