Alex Neil MSP, the new Scottish Minister for Housing and Communities has agreed to meet with Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris to discuss how the city may benefit from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Mr Doris contacted the Minister on Wednesday 26th of February and received a positive response and the meeting will take place soon.

Mr Doris said: "I am delighted that the new  Minister for Communities, Alex Neil MSP, has agreed to meet myself to discuss my suggestion that the new £60m Town Centre Regeneration Fund should be open to Glasgow communities outwith the City Centre.

"The likes of Springburn Shopping Centre in north Glasgow and the Victoria Road area in south Glasgow are effective 'town centres' in their own right. These are only two areas and I am sure there will be other areas that could make a strong case. Often city based town centres are at a double disadvantage. They see some residents being drawn to the city centre and others drawn to out of town shopping. Often it is the most disadvantaged in Glasgow that are left using a poor range of local facilities.

"The prospect of a city based town centre in Glasgow being able to draw on a share of the £60m fund is an exciting one and holds many opportunities. We must not forget that there are many areas across Scotland, many in more rural areas, that also need help and assistance. However the Minister is clearly open minded at this stage and the opportunity is there for Glasgow to benefit. Its not only about benefiting residents that currently use town centres located in Glasgow but also about encouraging others that spend their money outwith their local area to spend more time and cash in their own community. That would be both an economic benefit and help with social inclusion'.

"I would hope to meet with Glasgow City Council leaders and officials before my meeting with Alex Neil and I have already spoken to Cllr McLean, the SNP spokesperson for Development and Regeneration at Glasgow City Council and I know he is keen to be involved."