Published Date:
People throughout Argyll and Bute are set to benefit from over £2million of funding from the UK Government’s Coastal Communities Fund (CCF).
Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Dick Walsh, welcomed the news, saying: ‘’This is a great boost to projects throughout the area, from the creation of a submarine museum in Helensburgh to the council’s own project to redevelop Rothesay’s iconic Art Deco pavilion.
‘’It’s very encouraging to have this support from the UK government. The fund supports projects which will have a long-term economic benefit to communities, creating jobs and sustainable growth. There is always huge competition for these funding pots so securing this amount of funding is a ringing endorsement of the different, innovative projects in Argyll and the long term benefits that they will have.
‘’It shows that the economy in Argyll and Bute is strong, that it’s one of opportunity, and that there are lots of exciting developments planned.’’
Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, announcing the funding in Rothesay yesterday said: ‘’As someone who grew up on a small island, I know how much difference targeted investment can make to people's lives. It’s already supported scores of coastal communities throughout Scotland.
“Projects benefitting from the latest round of funding include redeveloping Rothesay Pavilion, creating a new Submarine Museum in Helensburgh, and restoring the harbour at Carbost in Skye. Overall, hundreds of communities across Scotland and the rest of the UK will benefit, creating jobs and making sure that some of our most remote and fragile communities share in the economic recovery.”
Coastal Communities Minister Penny Mordaunt said: “These fantastic projects demonstrate the creativity, enterprise and passion needed to help seaside towns become year round destinations that people are proud to live and work in.’’
The projects receiving funding are:
|
Argyll and Bute Council |
Based in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute this project aims to redevelop the Grade A listed Rothesay Pavilion on the town’s seafront into a centre for cultural, commercial and community use, to comprise a year round programme of exhibitions, a cafe/restaurant, retail, meeting and function space and office space for business lets. The project will carry out repairs to the roof, windows, stonework and architectural features, and the redevelopment of the building will create direct jobs for local people and support the island economy by boosting visitor numbers. |
Argyll and Bute |
£600,000 |
|
Campbeltown Community Business Limited |
To place the restored historic Campbeltown Picture House at the centre of the town's regeneration. Campbeltown Community Business Ltd will restore the 1930's A-listed Picture House and add contemporary facilities which will radically improve the audience experience and ensure that the venue can operate successfully as a sustainable community-based business and cultural hub for the wider Kintyre peninsula. |
Argyll and Bute |
£409,724 |
|
Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust |
To make improvements to the Cowal Way, a 57 mile coastal path connecting Portavadie in south west Cowal to Loch Lomond and raising the path to the standard required of 'Scotland's Great Trails' to benefit from greater and sustained promotion that such trails enjoy. The project will create direct employment and will benefit businesses along the route. |
Argyll and Bute |
£329,650 |
|
Tarbert Harbour Authority |
The project will upgrade smaller summer pontoons and provide additional berthing facilities for larger boats and better disabled access at the harbour on Loch Fyne. The project will increase visitor capacity, enable the growth of the existing business and benefit local businesses, creating indirect and direct jobs. The planned upgrades will further enhance the economic opportunities that are being experienced in the wider Clyde estuary. |
Argyll and Bute |
£500,000 |
|
The Scottish Submarine Trust |
The grant will contribute to exhibition infrastructure for the Scottish Submarine Museum which will attract visitors to our town centre and in so doing, create employment, sustain jobs, regenerate the town centre and educate visitors about the history of submarines The museum will be unique and expects to receive 25,000 visitors per annum which will benefit local businesses through increased visitor spend. |
Argyll and Bute |
£106,000 |
|
Tobermory Harbour Association |
The project will deliver improvements to visitor facilities and infrastructure at Tobermory Harbour on the Isle of Mull. Car park, signage and promenade improvements will better connect facilities in and around the Harbour area, supporting local tourist, hotel, catering and nature tour businesses, and creating direct and indirect jobs within the local and wider island economy. |
Argyll and Bute |
£212,082 |
*****ENDS*****