Making Langholm
An Even better place
To Visit
Business Development: Our 2030 Mission
We will have reversed our economic decline through sustainable business development supported by improvements to our infrastructure.
In order to ensure the successful and sustainable regeneration of Langholm we need to attract inward investment and ensure sustainable economic development of the town. This requires the creation of employment opportunities within Langholm and access to employment opportunities within Carlisle and the Solway Basin.
In order to achieve real change regarding these issues we will identify and develop business and employment opportunities that capitalise on Langholm’s unique location and the area’s heritage, wildlife and outdoor activity potential
To help us to do this we will work with a range of other key organisations such as South of Scotland Enterprise Partnership (SOSEP), Dumfries & Galloway Council, key business people, funders and the Scottish Government.
Business Development: By 2022
Form a social enterprise to implement the business development objectives – the Langholm Enterprise Trust.
Implement a Town Centre Improvement Scheme.
- Town Centre Audit and KPI.
- Town Centre Comparison & Retail Opportunities Guide.
- Shop Doctor and Business Advice.
- Public Realm Improvement Project
Property Frontage Improvement Grant Scheme
Create a mixed-use development to kick-start small enterprises on one of the vacant mill sites in Langholm
- Assess availability and suitability of vacant sites.
- Research format of such developments elsewhere and draw up an outline proposal.
- Establish an effective Education-Employer interface for local school leavers.
- Start discussions with schools, employers and local organisations.
Engage with young people and encourage them to set up their own business.
Business Development: By 2025
Develop new businesses in Langholm either as start-ups or by moving in from other areas.
- Support development of the former BFA factory as a multi-user Visitor Centre and as an incubator for new businesses.
- Make contact with other towns which have been successful in this respect.
- Provide a mentoring service from the town’s established business people to any start-up or established businesses.
Arrest the retail decline of the High Street and make it a more vibrant place to visit.
- Support a working group of interested parties to tackle this problem.
Business Development: By 2030
There will be an increase in business start-ups and local employment opportunities. There will be better co-ordination of business activity.
