A champion of business and the community in Hamilton has been hailed as a High Street Hero – an accolade that he says belongs to the whole town centre.
Hamilton Our Town manager, Malcolm Thomas-Harley, has lifted the regional hero title for Central Scotland in the Scotland Loves Local Awards.
The award was announced today (Friday) after judges heard how his hard work and dedication to the Business Improvement District (BID) is helping to boost trade in the town.
His nomination stated: “Malcolm is just a brilliant champion for Hamilton. His energy, enthusiasm, commitment and creativity is making a real difference to the town.
“He puts his absolute all into supporting people and businesses, efforts which are attracting more people to our town centre, while bringing a real sense of fun and pride to the place too.”
Reacting to his award, Malcolm, who has been Hamilton Our Town’s manager since 2020 and is also a director of Lanarkshire Pride CIC, said: This award really belongs to Hamilton’s business community.
“Every day they show commitment, creativity, and pride in our town. Hamilton has so much to offer and an exciting future ahead — and with local support, collaboration, and investment, I know we can achieve it together.”
Hamilton Our Town, which has been a prominent supporter of the Scotland Loves Local drive for people to choose local since its inception five years ago, announced that footfall has continued to rise in 2025 following an estimated 2.2% increase in 2024.
Numbers in the town centre’s main street, Quarry Street – where the Hamilton Our Town worked closely with South Lanarkshire Council to secure free 30-minute parking – has continued to show strong improvements to date with an estimated 13% rise in visits this year, with the full BID area up an estimated 1.2% to August.
Hamilton Our Town continues to support local engagement and footfall through a busy calendar of events, including its popular Hamilton monthly market, Easter and Christmas event schedule, and this year’s first Summerfest Hamilton, which welcomed around 10,000–15,000 visitors throughout the programme of almost 40 activities.
Malcolm has helped revitalise Hamilton Our Towns online presence through creative social media and marketing campaigns, is trialling the use of a new community space for local charities and groups, has supported the launch of Hamilton Comic Con and has introduced a new low-cost, accessible community pantomime, which this year is Pinocchio.
Beyond his work with Hamilton Our Town, Malcolm serves as a Director of Lanarkshire Pride CIC, organisers of the annual Pride South Lanarkshire event in Hamilton.
Through his leadership, the organisation has established the area’s only ongoing LGBTQ+ support groups, Pride Connect, offering connection, community, and vital support that would not otherwise exist across South Lanarkshire.
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.
STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “Every town needs someone like Malcolm. The work he does is tremendous. It’s part of a collaborative effort spearheaded by the BID which is making a very real difference to people and the place.
“Scotland Loves Local celebrates the fact at it’s people who make places. The work done by Malcolm – and the entire Hamilton Our Town team – really is testament to that fact.”
Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local. This is the fifth year in which the awards have been held.
