Town centre improvements in West Dunbartonshire are on the cards thanks to a cash boost of almost £860,000.

The money is coming from a fund set up by the Scottish Government in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

The Town Centre Fund is supporting councils to ensure their high streets are more diverse, sustainable and successful in the face of changing and evolving retail patterns.

West Dunbartonshire Council has welcomed the £859,000 funding which, it says, will allow it to make significant improvements to town centres.

A spokesperson said: “We have already sought views from property owners and a further consultation event is arranged for later this month.

“This will give high street retailers and the wider community an opportunity to put forward ideas on how we can best use this funding to improve our town centres for everyone.”

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In announcing the funding, the government said it would be for local authorities to allocate the money against the themes of the Town Centre Action Plan.

It said the money would fund a wide range of investments which would make town centres more vibrant, enterprising, and accessible.

This could include the re-purposing of empty buildings for housing or social and community enterprises.

Speaking as he announced the launch of the fund, economy secretary Derek Mackay said: “Town centres are facing challenges across Scotland in adapting to a changing retail climate, and it is important that we help them to diversify and adjust to overcome these challenges.

“I want to make sure we can keep life in our high streets, and ensure they continue to be thriving places for communities to live, work and enjoy.

“This fund will enable local authorities to encourage town centres to diversify and flourish.”