Article Source: Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
Last Updated: 18 March 2021 10:44
£4.5 million investment for Scotland’s historic towns and cities.
Over £50 million has been invested since 2007 through scheme which encourages communities to preserve built heritage and stimulate economic regeneration.
Four historic communities across Scotland will benefit from a combined investment of £4,502,575, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced today (Thursday 18 March).
The funding, awarded as part of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), will be shared between four Conservation Areas to help them regenerate and attract further investment in the future: £762,101 will be invested in Dumfries; £1,113,949 in Dunbar; £1,240,000 in Helensburgh; and £1,386,525 in Stirling.
Buildings which have been prioritised for works include the B-listed Alhambra Theatre and Arcade in Stirling and the former Lothian Hotel in Dunbar which was built in the late 18th century.
Each CARS scheme will deliver a combination of larger building repair projects, small grants schemes providing funding for repairs to properties in private ownership, community engagement and education activities, and professional training activities and opportunities, all of which will contribute to sustainable economic and community development within the Conservation Area. The schemes, managed by the local authority, will last for five years with works commencing in April.
CARS was launched in 2007 to encourage local authorities to invest in their historic environment by repairing and restoring the built environment whilst helping to stimulate economic regeneration. Since then, over £50 million funding has been invested in Scotland’s high streets, towns and cities. More than 40 CARS schemes have now been completed, with the funding supporting the creation of over 600 jobs and more than 270 new businesses, and almost 50,000m2 of vacant space has been brought back into use.
Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of HES, said: “This round of CARS marks a very important milestone for the scheme in that over £50 million has been invested in more than 70 Conservation Areas in Scotland.
“Through CARS, communities are supported and empowered to harness their valuable heritage assets. Decisions are made on a local level and local authorities can prioritise key properties for investment.
“The impact that COVID-19 has had on town and city centres – with more people than ever now working from home and the rise of online shopping due to the closure of shops – shows just how important schemes such as CARS are in revitalising and regenerating our high streets.
"By bringing historic buildings back into use and providing crucial repairs, high streets are transformed, new employment opportunities are created, and tourism is increased, demonstrating the significant effect that our historic environment has on our towns, cities and villages.
“Heritage-led regeneration has proven to have long-term benefits and I look forward to seeing the positive impact that these projects in Dumfries, Dunbar, Helensburgh and Stirling have on the people that live and work in these historic places.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “It is vital that we continue to protect and conserve our heritage. Now more than ever we are all increasingly aware of our local surroundings and attractions and the important role they play in our health and well-being as well as in the heart of our communities.
“This scheme has already helped transform conservation areas across Scotland, reinvigorating communities and supporting economic and social regeneration. I look forward to seeing how this new support helps transform even more of our historic high streets.”
The recipients are:
Argyll and Bute Council - £1,240,000 for Helensburgh CARS
The scheme proposes to repair at least three priority projects across Colquhoun Street, East Clyde Street and West Clyde Street in the newly designated Helensburgh Conservation Area. The scheme will also improve links between the waterfront and the town centre, and through the repair of properties on the waterfront, make the area more attractive for people to spend time.
Dumfries and Galloway Council - £762,101 for Dumfries CARS
The scheme proposes to repair four priority projects on English Street and the High street in Dumfries. Buildings include 117-119 High Street and 11-17 English Street. The scheme also includes public realm works and will work in parallel with the Town Centre Living Fund.
There are high numbers of properties that are suffering from a lack of maintenance and high levels of vacancy, and through the use of a condition survey map, buildings which are in the poorest condition will be identified and focused on as part of the repair works.
East Lothian Council - £1,113,949 for Dunbar CARS
The scheme proposes to repair six priority projects on Dunbar High Street, including the former Lothian Hotel which is currently on the Buildings at Risk Register, and there will also be a strong focus on providing local training opportunities and addressing empty properties. A further project that will be developed around the production of building condition surveys for tenement owners working together in stair committees will help to promote collaborative working and lead to better maintenance of private properties within the CARS area.
Stirling Council - £1,386,525 for Stirling CARS
The scheme proposes to repair two priority projects - the Alhambra Theatre and Arcade and John Cowane’s House. Ten properties have also been identified as focus buildings to be repaired through a small grants scheme. Through public realm works, walking routes will be created within the city to improve connections between the commercial and historic centres.
The CARS project will build on the work which has been carried out in recent years by the Stirling City Heritage Fund, funded by HES, and The Traditional Buildings Health Check to carry out a high standard of repairs and improvements to key sites in the city centre.
For further information on CARS, visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/grants-and-funding/our-grants/conservation-area-regeneration-scheme-cars
Image: Dunbar
Staring X-Factor winner and legend Sam Bailey and Strictly Come Dancing royalty Kevin Clifton, Everybody's Talking About Jamie comes to the King's Theatre Glasgow in May!
READ MORECreative Oceanic powered by Oceanic Awards is proud to announce the 7th Scottish Hospitality Awards 2024.
READ MOREScotland's first listening bar opens this weekend with a programme of impressive global DJs and exceptional sound quality set to soundtrack Glasgow.
READ MOREElaine C. Smith will play the role of The Childcatcher in the new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, when it comes to Glasgow's King's Theatre!
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREGlasgow gourmands, the wait is over! After shaking up the street food scene in the Scottish capital, Ozen is now bringing its Eastern fusion flavours westside and launching in Glasgow!
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MOREThere will be no Aye Write book festival this year after its application for funding was rejected by Creative Scotland.
READ MOREBuchanan Galleries, together with Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, has donated 500 chocolate Easter Eggs for children in hospital to enjoy.
READ MOREAn independent evaluation published by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has highlighted significant, wide-ranging benefits delivered by the Go Cycle Glasgow Fund.
READ MOREVEGA, Glasgow's sky-high bar and restaurant, has unveiled a jam-packed new weekly music programme to welcome those sunny spring nights!
READ MOREMulti-platinum selling recording artist and award-winning West End actor, Matt Cardle, will play the role of Shakespeare in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of & Juliet.
READ MOREThe King's Theatre, Glasgow have announced additional dates for this year's high-flying pantomime adventure, Peter Pan.
READ MORECarmunnock Heritage Trail launches this Easter weekend. It's a unique, free, multi-media tour with 16 QR coded video stops around Glasgow's last remaining village.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREGP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MORELeadership specialist Gavin Bryce announces the launch of the second Unmasking Leaders Workshop of 2024 on Thursday 11th April in Glasgow returns by demand.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREScotland's inaugural Polestar Showroom officially opened at leading retail and leisure destination Silverburn on Friday 22nd March.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREGlasgow Film Festival (GFF) 2024 wrapped up on Sunday 10 March by celebrating a bumper year of ticket sales and local and international talent.
READ MORESix by Nico's upcoming menu promises to take guests on a quintessential New York gastronomic excursion.
READ MOREFrom an Easter Egg-stravaganza on Easter Sunday to high-tech golf games suitable for all the family, Topgolf Glasgow is a must-visit destination during the half-term break.
READ MOREStrathclyde University were crowned winners of Scotland’s largest student varsity sporting competition, the Glasgow Taxis Cup, after edging out city rivals Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREAward-winning performance Pain and I by Sarah Hopfinger, about living with chronic pain, and moving with care, returns to tour Scotland.
READ MOREMore than fifty of Glasgow's leading restaurants and cafes have revealed their exclusive menus to mark the countdown to Glasgow Restaurant Week!
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"