“Cities come in all shapes and sizes. Bidding for city status is one step in ensuring that Oban, and Argyll and Bute more widely, have as much chance for a successful future as other parts of Scotland.”
With work continuing to enter Oban in the national competition for city status, part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebration in 2022, Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, outlined the potential benefits:
“City status is about creating opportunities for investment to progress things that matter to local people, for example infrastructure or housing, that are beyond the resources of the council. Being a rural Scottish city would mean for example that Oban could be included in government city initiatives as well as rural growth initiatives.
There are numerous other places across Scotland and the UK trying to grab this rare opportunity for city status. We want to win it for the benefit of Oban, and Argyll and Bute more widely. Thanks to everyone who is already getting behind this bid.”
Providing photos that illustrate what is great about a place is an important part of the bid application.
If you have a photo showing what you like best about Oban that you’d be happy to share, you are invited to send it to the council –at workingtogether@argyll-bute.gov.uk - to help the bid for Oban city status.
Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth said:
“We’re receiving public support already which is great for Oban. We understand too of course that there could be questions about what city status might mean for the area, and have provided information in response on our website.
There’s stiff competition out there, for the skills, jobs and investment Argyll and Bute needs. Bidding for city status will help with this, by raising the profile of the area as a great place to invest, visit and live.”
You can find more information about the bid, answers to questions asked about it, and support it at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/obancity