A General Election candidate wants to see more funding for town centre amid campaign trail.

Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for East Renfrewshire, says he will lobby the UK Government for funding to revitalise town centres, if elected at the General Election on July 4th.

He says towns such as Barrhead and Neilston in East Renfrewshire need major investment to boost them.

If elected Dr Gulhane will call for a dedicated 'Save our Town Centres fund' from the UK Government which would deliver funding directly to East Renfrewshire Council and supplement the funding they already receive.

He says UK Government levelling up funding has already delivered millions for communities across Scotland and this fund would allow councils to take "positive" measures to support town centres such as Barrhead and Neilston.

That could include scrapping rates for struggling businesses.

Dr Gulhane added that the SNP Government must work with the UK Government on the fund and they should also deliver their own support for town centres, such as finally passing on rates relief and ruling out any plans to introduce a workplace car park tax.

He said: "Town centres such as Barrhead and Neilston are in need major investment to ensure they remain vibrant hubs of the local communities in East Renfrewshire.

"If I am fortunate enough to be elected as MP for East Renfrewshire on July 4th, then I will be lobbying the UK Government for a dedicated Save our Town Centres fund.

"That money will go directly to East Renfrewshire Council to spend on our town centres and supplement what councils already receive.

"Councils could use it to scrap rates for struggling businesses in East Renfrewshire.”

"The UK Government's Levelling Up funding has already delivered for communities across Scotland and I would fight for more.

"The SNP Government must work with the UK Government over this fund and also do their own bit to support town centres such as Barrhead and Neilston by passing on the rates relief available to firms in England or ruling out any plans to introduce a car park tax at workplaces.

"In key seats up and down Scotland, only the Scottish Conservatives can beat the SNP on July 4th, end their independence obsession for good, and get the focus onto people's real priorities like supporting our town centres."