Back on track
New businesses
A reopened station will be a catalyst for business regeneration
Newburgh is no stranger to business. Early in its history, as an agricultural centre, it exported food and drink and later developed an industrial centre, together with a working harbour. Industry declined and left. Nothing since has come to fill the vacuum.
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Nevertheless, the potential to grow is still here. A key business opportunity is sustainable tourism that focuses on walking, cycling and wildlife. Eco tourism can, however, be compromised by visitors arriving by car. Having a train station will encourage people to leave their cars and come by train. In theory, they could use the bus, but many do not.
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​Today: buses do not cut it
Public transport, AKA the bus service, as it stands, simply does not provide Newburgh with a reliable public transport service. Just ask the residents!
Research shows that people, particularly commuters outside of urban areas do not really use buses. There are many reasons why but buses are not likely to replace the car or the train as a favoured means of transport anytime soon.
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"The bus service, the frequency...I can't run a car as I am a student and rely on buses far too often. Access to the cities and beyond via a train station makes so much sense. It's ridiculous that this has not come about
sooner."
Newburgh Student
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How then can Newburgh compete for business set against other towns with far better public transport? You can drive to work, of course - as most people do - but this is hardly a positive move when we are all looking to negate the damaging effects of climate change.
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A Newburgh Renaissance - yes
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The town can regenerate itself with some support. The most significant benefit Newburgh can have is a reopened train station.
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At a recent campaign workshop, aimed at discussing how a station would galvanise the town, a number of business ideas were considered. It was less about the specifics and more about understanding what the potential of Newburgh is. We know the potential is huge.​​​
Declining bus provision in Scotland makes it hard for the Scottish government to meet its commitment to reduce car miles by 20 per cent by 2030, relative to a 2019 baseline. While bus miles have decreased by 27 per cent, the total distance travelled by passengers has dropped precipitously by 44 per cent.
Whisky exports from Lindores Distillery
Keep young people in Newburgh
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​It is not surprising that the younger population feels they have to leave the town to study or find work. Certainly, getting to and from work without a car seriously restricts choice. Limited places of work in the local area also means there are few, if any, possibilities of employment training.
This overall lack of opportunity to create an independent life signifies a net contribution to rural poverty/contributes to both financial and health poverty.​
Developing business in Newburgh and other local towns can change this so people will be encouraged to stay for training, work and to make a life here.
Business areas - where Newburgh could do well
Hotels and Pubs
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A town that once boasted 11 pubs and 3 hotels has the capacity to rekindle some of this in response to an increased number of visitors. Recently, within weeks of opening, a new pub has proved to be very popular. There is clearly a need for places like this. Moreover, the demand will grow if we can attract more visitors to the town. And employees too! New businesses bring in workers who need to eat and drink...
Eco-tourism
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Newburgh and the surrounding district are rich in wildlife. Ospreys nest in the local area and sea eagles have been spotted over nearby lochs. Walking paths in the hills and beside the Tay are plentiful. The town is popular with cyclists. A Tay and Earn Tourism and Adventure business has been discussed. There are other similar ideas too.
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The Abbey Inn. Plenty of potential but still for development after nearly a year.
Increased commerce on the High Street
Walk down Newburgh High Street and you'll quickly spot a building that was once a commercial property. Some sit derelict while others have become flats. With increased visitors and workers, the street could return to something of what it was. A train station connecting the town to nearby places brings in people visiting friends or just having a day out. Opening a shop then looks a more viable proposition.
Other businesses
​A growing business community will generate more opportunities for new businesses! A properly reconnected the town with more people coming in and out will certainly encourage innovative new ideas.
A train station will prove to be the vital catalyst of growth for Newburgh. ​A town on the up will soon generate its own lift!
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There is a lot of potential in Newburgh.
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Water sports
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There has been some interest in reviving the harbour area for water sport and other water-based activities
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​Cycling related business
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Cyclists come through Newburgh a lot. There is the change to perhaps capitalise on this.
Restaurants
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With increased number of visitors comes opportunities to provide catering of some sort...
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Accommodation
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...and true of hotels, guests house and the like.
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