FURTHER BOOST FOR CAMPBELTOWN TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION PROJECT

A multi-million pound project aimed at regenerating Campbeltown’s historic town centre is about to be boosted by the official launch of one of its major strands.

The Campbeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), for which the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) earmarked £700,000, aims to rejuvenate run down historic buildings, making them more appealing places in which to invest, live, work and visit.

An official launch has been arranged for later this month, at which residents and other interested parties will be able to find out more about the project.

The event, at Campbeltown Town Hall on Thursday, January 21 from 5-8pm, will include exhibition boards containing information on work done to date, grant funding available, parallel projects, community engagement with local groups (including schools), target buildings and shop fronts.

The THI is one of the two main strands of the Campbeltown Town Centre Regeneration Project. The other is the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), which has been active since 2007 and which received £385,000 from Historic Scotland.

To date, the project has received over 200 enquiries and has approved 42 grants.

Nearly 30 different contractors have worked on the scheme, the vast majority of whom are local. Work carried out to date has included shop front refurbishments, sash and case window repairs, replacement close doors, high level tenement works and options appraisals for key buildings.

Among the more high profile projects have been the refurbishment of two target shopfronts – 12 Longrow and McKellar’s Licensed Grocers – on which work began last month and to which the finishing touches are now being made.

Both the THI and CARS are now administered by Argyll and Bute Council under the banner of Campbeltown Town Centre Regeneration Project. The grant-eligible areas have recently been amended to concentrate efforts on Main Street, Longrow and several others streets in particular need of refurbishment.

A map highlighting the priority areas is available on the Council’s website, and there will also be copies available at the launch event.

James Lafferty, Project Officer for the scheme, said he hoped local people would drop into the launch event to find out the latest on what’s happening in the town.

“I have been delighted by the level of interest shown in the project, from members of the public of all ages and from local businesses, including contractors and other craftspeople,” he added.

“The launch will give everyone a chance to come and see where we are with the work, and what our aims are for the future.

“We will have several exhibition boards on completed projects, with before and after photographs and a description of what has been achieved.

“I will obviously be there, and will be delighted to answer any questions or discuss any issues which people wish to raise.”

Councillor John Semple, Chair of the Campbeltown CHORD Project Board, said it is a very exciting time for the town.

“We have an opportunity here not just to improve the bricks and mortar but – in doing so – to generate substantial social and economic benefits for Campbeltown and the surrounding area,” he added.

“These projects come at the same time as other significant investment in the area, both in terms of private enterprise and in terms of the Council’s flagship CHORD project, which will contribute to regenerating the town’s heritage and conservation sites as well as the marina and Kinloch Road area.

“Campbeltown and the surrounding area are set to be transformed over the next few years, and I look forward to continuing to work with the local community and partner organisations – including, of course, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland - in ensuring that we can all be proud of the results.”

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said:

"Looking after our heritage is an incredibly effective way of injecting new life into a community. This THI can really help turn Campbeltown’s economy around, not only by improving how its historic centre looks and feels, but also by prompting business start-ups, providing good housing and improving community facilities such as the Town Hall.

“It is timely that the launch of the THI takes place as other exciting initiatives are beginning to happen in the area. As a result of organisations working together, Campbeltown’s future has never looked brighter.”

The THI’s official launch on Thursday, January 21 from 5-8pm in Campbeltown Town Hall is open to anyone who is interested.

Refreshments and childcare facilities will be available.

The launch is scheduled to coincide with a piece on BBC Alba the same evening, which will feature interviews with both Councillor Semple and James Lafferty.

It will be on the evening news 'An La' on the Gaelic channel at 8pm. The piece will be able to be viewed online until the same time the following evening.

BBC Alba is currently available on Digital Satellite, on Sky 168, Freesat 110 and live on BBC iPlayer. Ten hours of content per week is also available to view on demand via the BBC PC iPlayer and the BBC iPlayer on Cable. For further information go to www.bbcalba.co.uk

The total funding package for the Campbeltown Town Centre Regeneration Project currently stands at £1.945 million.

The funding partners are Argyll and Bute Council (£600,000), Historic Scotland (CARS - £385,000), Heritage Lottery Fund (THI – £700,000), LEADER (£140,000), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (£105,000) and Other Funders (£15,000).