Research by independent firm Ipsos MORI has shown that people rate Alloa as a better place to visit thanks to the Imagine Alloa project.

The project, which saw Clackmannanshire Council, Alloa Town Centre BID and Clackmannanshire Alliance successfully apply for £2 million of government funding, aimed to put the town on the map with new pavements, shop fronts, signage, lighting and art work.

And the results show that most people now think that Alloa town centre has improved over the last year. Over half of people asked after the project said they thought the town centre had got better in the previous 12 months, compared to fewer than one in four when they were asked before the project began.

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The numbers of people rating Alloa as a good place to visit also rose by 7%. Respondents' satisfaction with ease of getting around was up 12% to 90% and satisfaction with ease of access to the town centre had increased from 76% to 86%.

Comments from respondents included: "More shopper friendly, starting to look more appealing"; "I like the sculpture and benches"; "It looks better - there's easier access to stairs and the bus stop"; "There's a lot more space and cleanliness in the town and parking is improving."

Chair of Clackmannanshire Alliance Councillor Janet Cadenhead said: "I'm delighted that MORI's independent research has confirmed that Imagine Alloa has made a real difference. While it will take time to build up the lasting reputation as an arts destination that we're hoping for, the physical improvements have already had an impact, making Alloa town centre a more open, pleasant place to visit."

(GK/KMcA)