The success of two South Lanarkshire initiatives was recently recognised at the Scotland Loves Local Awards.
Cambuslang BankHUB was named as a runner-up in the Enterprising Communities category after proving a success in returning local banking facilities to the town.
South Lanarkshire Council, meanwhile, was runner-up in the Digital award for its work in Bothwell, Strathaven, Stonehouse and Douglas.
Organised by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward the remarkable work taking place to improve communities, from tackling the climate emergency to transforming streets and creating great places to live.
As previously featured by Lanarkshire Live, following the closure of all three banks in the town Cambuslang Community Council took the lead in advocating the restoration of a banking service, leading to the Scottish Affairs Committee launching its own report on access to cash in the area.
This triggered a series of actions which led to the creation of the BankHUB concept, involving the Post Office and five banks with the most customers in Cambuslang offering their services in the same place for the first time. The work is recognised as trailblazing, with communities across the UK keen to replicate it.
South Lanarkshire Council, meanwhile, was nominated for its work to bring the work of four towns together to develop the insideOut app.
When four town centres independently applied for funding to create a heritage app, the authority awarded funds to develop a single app which would meet the aspirations of all of them.
This developed from being purely heritage based into a digital town centre noticeboard where information on businesses, events, community groups and heritage, walking and cycling trails can be accessed.
The success of all those nominated was recognised as part of the Scotland’s Towns Conference, which took place at CentreStage in Kilmarnock on Wednesday (November 16th), in partnership with East Ayrshire Council.
STP Chairman, Professor Leigh Sparks, said: “The dedication of people to deliver for their community never fails to amaze us.
“And, whether through responding to the climate emergency, improving our streetscape, creating new homes or urging people to choose local, our finalists and award winners stand testament to the innovation and determination which will create better town centres as part of a stronger, more sustainable Scotland.
"Their communities should be very proud of them. Well done to our finalists, all of those nominated and thank you to our sponsors.”
STP is the organisation spearheading the Scotland Loves Local campaign, supported by the Scottish Government.
For more information about the awards and the wider Scotland Loves Local campaign, visit here or follow #ScotlandLovesLocal on social media.
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