Select committee: Scottish Affairs Committee
The future of Scotland’s high streets
Open
Opened 11 Nov 2025
Scottish Affairs Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
In Scotland, as in other parts of the UK, concerns have been raised about how high streets and town centres are changing. Scotland’s high streets face multiple challenges, and many have been described as being in ‘decline’. However, possible new models for resilient and thriving high streets are emerging, while there continues to be interest in community-led regeneration. This inquiry will engage with local communities and other stakeholders to explore what a positive vision for the future of Scottish high streets and town centres might look like, and to examine what role government might play in making this vision a reality. Read the call for evidence for more details about the inquiry.
Where it stands
The inquiry is open, opened 11 November 2025.
The committee has not published a report yet.
Evidence
- 2 oral evidence sessionsLatest 8 July 2026
- 8 witnesses
Recent activity
- Correspondence from UK Finance, following up from 8 July evidence session, dated 26 August 20262 September 2026, Correspondence
- Correspondence from Chair to Richard Lloyd OBE, regarding Access to Banking Services Review, dated 16 July 20262 September 2026, Correspondence
- Correspondence from Post Office following up from 8 July session, dated 9 July 202614 July 2026, Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Jul 2026 |
The future of Scotland's high streets – Session 3
Chris Ashton · LINK,
Eric Leenders · UK Finance,
Jack Foden · Post Office,
Poppy Simister-Thomas · Cash Access UK
|
View ↗ |
| 21 Jan 2026 |
Scotland’s high streets – session 1
Colin Borland · Federation of Small Businesses,
Professor Cathy Parker MBE · Manchester Metropolitan University,
Professor James White · University of Glasgow,
Professor Leigh Sparks · University of Stirling
|
View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Ashton · Chief Commercial Officer | LINK | 1 |
| Colin Borland · Scotland Director | Federation of Small Businesses | 1 |
| Eric Leenders · Managing Director (Personal Finance) | UK Finance | 1 |
| Jack Foden · Head of Public Affairs and Policy | Post Office | 1 |
| Poppy Simister-Thomas · Chief Strategy Officer | Cash Access UK | 1 |
| Professor Cathy Parker MBE · Professor | Manchester Metropolitan University | 1 |
| Professor James White · Professor | University of Glasgow | 1 |
| Professor Leigh Sparks · Professor | University of Stirling | 1 |
Correspondence
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| Published | Direction | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sep 2026 | Not recorded | Correspondence from UK Finance, following up from 8 July evidence session, dated 26 August 2026 |
| 2 Sep 2026 | Not recorded | Correspondence from Chair to Richard Lloyd OBE, regarding Access to Banking Services Review, dated 16 July 2026 |
| 14 Jul 2026 | Not recorded | Correspondence from Post Office following up from 8 July session, dated 9 July 2026 |