Dumfries and Galloway’s Member of Parliament, Alister Jack, is to launch a campaign aimed at saving Dumfries town centre.
The campaign, due to be launched early next month, will gauge public support for measures including the decriminalisation of parking enforcement and the creation of more parking spaces with easy access to the town centre. Mr Jack believes that these measures will help to reverse the trend of declining footfall in the town centre and tackle the parking problems that puts people off shopping in the town centre.
He said, “I have fond memories of Dumfries as a vibrant and thriving market town.
“The picture today is a very different one and I am deeply concerned for the future of the Dumfries town centre.
“That is why I will be launching a ‘Save Dumfries Town Centre’ campaign to engage with residents and visitors, and seek their views on what will help turn the situation around.
“Addressing the parking problems and making the town centre easier to navigate are only two of the ways that I believe will help, and I look forward to hearing other ideas when my campaign is launched.
“A number of shops in the town centre have either closed already, are in the process of doing so, or thinking of closing.
“This is not good news and it would be a dereliction of duty if we sit on our hands and let this happen.
“Making it easier to visit the town centre and park nearby will create a more welcoming business environment and I hope this would result in more business wanting to come and set up in Dumfries.”
