GREENOCK town centre’s economic future is the focus of a special event involving regeneration experts next month.
Residents are being invited to join business leaders, community representatives and policymakers in considering steps that can be taken to unlock the town’s economic and social potential.
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) — the organisation which champions the role of towns in shaping the national economy — the event will explore how community-driven initiatives, collaborative partnerships and other innovative strategies can positively shape central Greenock’s future.
Leading Local Together: Empowering Greenock’s Business Community will take place at the Beacon Arts Centre from 9am until noon on Tuesday 7 October.
The programme will feature presentations from regional leaders, highlighting the importance of partnership-driven regeneration, business support initiatives, and community engagement.
Speakers include Neale McIlvanney, interim director of regeneration at Inverclyde Council, who will outline the strategic vision for the future of Greenock, and Lizzy Todd, president of Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce, who will discuss how businesses can play a leading role in shaping sustainable growth.
The agenda includes a roundtable discussion that will give attendees the opportunity to contribute ideas and solutions to the challenges, ensuring future strategies reflect the community’s aspirations and needs.
Advance registration is required. Places can be booked online.
Kimberley Guthrie, chief officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “Greenock has incredible potential and this event is a fantastic opportunity to bring businesses, community groups and policymakers together to start looking at the best next steps for the local community.
“After the recent success of our Scotland Loves Local Week, we are keen to build on the momentum of the ‘thinking local first’ message and work collaboratively to develop bold, practical solutions that will help the town to thrive socially and make it a better place to live, work and visit.”
Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “Greenock town centre is going through a period of significant change, backed by huge investment, and the improvements have been designed in the best interests of the local economy in partnership with businesses, residents and other key stakeholders.
“While there are exciting times ahead with further developments to build on the good work that’s already been done, we cannot stand still and must continue to improve central Greenock. In order to do that, we need feedback from the local community and to work collaboratively to make Greenock and Inverclyde an even better place in which to live, work, visit and do business.
“That’s why I encourage as many people as possible from as many different sectors and backgrounds to get involved in this event to provide diverse and valuable input to help shape the continuing evolution of central Greenock.”
As part of Scotland Loves Local Week (August 23-30) STP revealed that if every person in Inverclyde spent just £1 more a week with local businesses, that would generate an annual boost to the area’s economy of £4million.
