An appeal for a theme and sense of identity has been launched by the creator of the town’s action plan, Nick Wright.
He said: “Themes can help give a sense of direction to a town – like Castle Douglas with local food or Wigtown with books.
“Businesses can flourish, events can be organised, and marketing can have a focus. It can be a way for local people to come together.
“But creating a theme isn’t straightforward. It needs to be genuinely rooted in the local community. They need to be behind it.
“Quite a few people have said that Lockerbie needs a positive identity, something that the town is known for rather than the negative associations of the air disaster.
“But everyone, including us, is struggling to work out what that theme might be.”
He added: “Some folk have mentioned the town’s curling success and suggested ideas like using curling stones to replace the plastic bollards on the pavements outside the town hall, or giant curling targets on the roundabouts coming into town.
“These are great ideas which should happen anyway. But is curling enough to build an identity for the whole town?”
Nick has been busy speaking to locals in order to build the town plan. He said: “For me, what I hear local people say about Lockerbie is that it is a practical, pleasant and safe place to live with more shops, businesses, jobs and facilities than many other towns of its size.
“There are always things to improve, of course, like more things for young people, better car parking and parks, and getting more volunteers for community groups.
“But Lockerbie does seem to be a bustling wee town that’s a good place to live for many people.
“I’m not sure that is a ‘theme’ or an identity though. It doesn’t feel like it yet. I think we need to explore potential themes more at the public workshop next month.”
A community meeting takes place on May2at the Town Hall from 7.30 pm.
* What theme do you think Lockerbie should have and why? Email Amanda at [email protected] with your ideas.
