£1 million fund to regenerate Dumfries and Galloway town centres set to be rubber-stamped

A £1 million fund to regenerate town centres across Dumfries and Galloway is set to be rubber-stamped this week.

Councillors are being asked to approve the spending to support housing developments and grant assistance for developments throughout the region at a meeting today.

The Town Centre Living Fund (TCLF), which started in 2017, aims to increase high quality town centre accommodation which the authority hopes to increase footfall in these areas and is paid for through council tax from second homes.

The council believes the money will take on greater importance this year to help “bolster” economic recovery in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis.

Dumfries is the regional centre in the plan with Stranraer, Annan, Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart described as large town centres.

Town centres which will be targeted include Dalbeattie, Gretna, Kirconnel/Kelloholm, Kirkcudbright, Langholm, Lochmaben, Lockerbie, Moffat, Sanquhar, Thornhill, Whithorn and Wigtown.

Steve Rogers, head of economy and development, will tell councillors: “Delivery of the TCLF aligns with the objectives of the Borderlands Growth Deal to stimulate the repurposing of towns and centres across the area and to attract the working age population.

“It also helps the council to support the local retail and construction sectors, create jobs and support supply chains.”