Ariane Burgess, Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands, will visit Oban on Friday to discuss town centre regeneration and housing with key local stakeholders.
The visit aims to showcase innovative approaches to revitalising Oban’s town centre and explore the benefits of increasing town centre living to support regeneration efforts.
Commenting ahead of the visit, Ms Burgess said:
“I’m looking forward to meeting with local businesses, community groups and council representatives to discuss how we can work collaboratively to breathe new life into Oban’s town centre.
“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.
“The Scottish Greens are committed to supporting town centre regeneration through initiatives like the Place Based Investment Programme and the Low Carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme.
“I’m keen to hear directly from those on the frontline about what more we can do to help.”
During the visit, Ms Burgess will visit key sites in the town centre including the refurbished Muthu Regent Hotel and adjoining land where new apartments are proposed.
She will also visit Stevenson Street to see the transformation of the area into a bustling public space and discuss the proposals to convert vacant office buildings on Albany Street into much-needed housing.
Ms Burgess will visit the community-owned Rockfield Centre to discuss the role of the creative sector in placemaking and how to better support communities taking on the task of repurposing empty buildings.
In light of the recently-announced closure of the Oban Phoenix Cinema, Ms Burgess will also be considering the challenges facing community-owned venues and whether increasing town centre living could help secure their future.
