Scotland's town and city centres are the 'heartbeat of our economy', the Vital and Vibrant Town Centres conference in Stirling was told yesterday.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said the Scottish Government was determined to support businesses and high streets the length and breadth of the country.

As part of that support, he announced an increase in funding for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) - a scheme that sees businesses work together to promote and improve their local area.

Mr Swinney said: "The effects of the global downturn are being felt on high streets across Scotland. But these town and city centres are the heartbeat of our economy which can keep it moving in difficult times.

"That is why the Scottish Government is determined to do everything we can within our limited powers and fixed budget to support the small businesses which are at the centre not just of local economies, but of local communities too.


"We have put in place a Scottish economic recovery plan and we are slashing business rates for tens of thousands of small businesses across Scotland. From April next year many of these businesses will pay nothing at all."

The Scottish Government have already announced continued support for BIDs. And as our recovery plan continues to gather pace, Mr Swinney said they will up the support provided for areas looking to set up a BID from £15,000 to £20,000. That change should be seen as part of our overall commitment to support small business and Scotland's town and city centres.

"Interest in BIDs is growing across Scotland as evidence builds of the real difference that businesses working together can make for their local area. I hope our increase in support will see further areas come forward with BID proposals and help position our economy for a stronger and quicker recovery," he said.

Mr Swinney also launched the new Scotland's towns website www.scotlandstowns.org which is supported by the Scottish Government as a portal to useful information and good practice on town centres and high streets in Scotland. The website has been designed so that the content will be driven by users, continually developing and evolving based on members' needs so that it stays relevant and has up to the minute information.

(GK/JM)