Ariane Burgess, Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands, is delighted to celebrate the news that Oban has been short-listed as Town of the Year in the Scotland Loves Local Awards.
This recognition highlights the town’s vibrant community spirit and ongoing efforts towards regeneration and sustainable development.
Ms. Burgess visited Oban in June to discuss the potential for more town centre living and community-led redevelopment.
The visit underscored the importance of innovative approaches to revitalising town centres and the benefits of increasing town centre living to support regeneration efforts.
Commenting on the shortlisting, Ms. Burgess said:
“I am thrilled that Oban has been recognised as a finalist for Town of the Year in the Scotland Loves Local Awards.
“This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the local community, businesses, and council who are committed to making Oban a thriving and sustainable town.”
During her visit in June, Ms. Burgess met with local businesses, community groups, and council representatives to discuss collaborative efforts to breathe new life into Oban’s town centre.
She highlighted the Scottish Greens’ commitment to supporting town centre regeneration through initiatives like the Place Based Investment Programme and the Low Carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme.
“By increasing the number of people living in the heart of our towns, we can boost footfall for local businesses, enhance the vibrancy of our public spaces, and create more sustainable, thriving communities,” Ms. Burgess added.
The visit included tours of key sites in the town centre, such as the refurbished Muthu Regent Hotel and adjoining land where new apartments are proposed.
Ms. Burgess also visited Stevenson Street to see its transformation into a bustling public space and discussed proposals to convert vacant office buildings on Albany Street into much-needed housing.
Additionally, she visited the community-owned Rockfield Centre to discuss the role of the creative sector in placemaking and how to better support communities repurposing empty buildings.
In light of the recently-announced closure of the Oban Phoenix Cinema, Ms. Burgess also considered the challenges facing community-owned venues and whether increasing town centre living could help secure their future.
The shortlisting of Oban as Town of the Year is a significant milestone, and Ms. Burgess looks forward to continuing to work with the community to achieve further successes.
