East Kilbride, Scotland’s first new town, was once a symbol of post-war optimism — a place where modern living, commerce, and community met in balance. Today, it stands at a crossroads.

As redevelopment plans advance, local residents and businesses are increasingly questioning whether the town’s decline is being allowed, or even managed, to pave the way for profit-driven transformation.

Parking Charges and Declining Footfall

In recent months, public frustration has mounted over the introduction and rise of parking charges across the town centre. Shoppers and business owners have taken to local Facebook groups and community forums to voice concerns, claiming the fees discourage visitors and drive trade elsewhere.

“I used to come to East Kilbride every weekend — now I just shop in Silverburn or online. Why pay to park when other places offer free parking and a better atmosphere?” one local commented in a community discussion that has drawn hundreds of responses.

Several small business owners echoed this sentiment, warning that lower footfall could tip already struggling independent shops into closure. A petition circulating online calls for the immediate review or removal of the parking scheme, arguing that it prioritises revenue over local economic sustainability.

The £62 Million Redevelopment Plan

South Lanarkshire Council and the town’s commercial operators have unveiled an ambitious £62.2 million masterplan to “revitalise” the centre, including demolishing sections of the existing complex to make way for new homes, green spaces, and mixed-use developments.

While the project has been presented as a long-term investment in East Kilbride’s future, many residents are sceptical. On social media, some accuse the council and private stakeholders of pursuing a “managed decline” — allowing the centre to deteriorate to justify redevelopment.

Critics have likened the approach to a “real estate Trump tactic”: extracting maximum value through decline, then rebuilding for profit. “It’s prime real estate,” one post read, “and it feels like we’re watching it being run down deliberately so it can be sold off and rebuilt for millions.”

Political and Economic Context

South Lanarkshire Council maintains that the redevelopment aligns with Scotland’s national town centre strategy, designed to address changing retail habits, economic pressures, and the shift towards housing-led regeneration.

In the Scottish Parliament, ministers have supported efforts to decarbonise and modernise town centres, but opposition councillors and community representatives have called for full transparency on project costs, land ownership, and long-term benefits to residents.

There are growing calls for greater consultation before major changes are approved. Many residents want assurances that East Kilbride’s redevelopment won’t erase its history or community spirit in the process.

A Community in Transition

For decades, East Kilbride’s town centre was a thriving hub for families, workers, and small businesses. Its decline — whether by market forces or management decisions — has struck a deep chord among residents who still see potential in their town.

As one lifelong resident told The Community Impact Project: “We’re not against progress. We just want it done with us, not to us.”

How this story unfolds will depend not just on councils and developers, but on whether the community’s voice is heard — and acted upon.

-How do you feel about the future of East Kilbride town centre? We would like to hear from you — please email contact@thecommunityimpact.co.uk or comment, share, or join the discussion below.