Archive News
£1.32 million funding from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund
Following the submission by Riverside Inverclyde (ri), on behalf of partners in Inverclyde, of two bids for projects in Greenock and Port Glasgow, the Scottish Government has today confirmed that a grant of £1.32 million is to be made to ri for Greenock.Bill Nicol, Chief Executive, Riverside Inverclyde said “given the level of bids to this fund, I am delighted that the Government has provided this resource. This will allow the ri team and partner organisations to accelerate much needed activity in Greenock and while it is extremely disappointing not to receive monies specifically for Port Glasgow the partnership will continue to pursue funding from other sources for similar developments there.”
Alf Young, Chairman of Riverside Inverclyde commented “we appreciate the additional funding from the Scottish Government. This is an endorsement of Riverside Inverclyde and its ability to deliver high quality projects quickly. It is also recognition of the importance of our projects to the sustainable regeneration of the area.”
Council leader Councillor Stephen McCabe said: "it is obviously very welcome news for Greenock and I am sure we can put what is a significant amount of money to very good use in regenerating Greenock town centre and promoting sustainable growth through challenging times. However it is very disappointing that the bid for Port Glasgow has been unsuccessful and we will of course, with our partners, be looking for other sources of funding and hope for more success when we re-submit a bid for Government funding later this month. On a brighter note for Port Glasgow work has now finished on a £160,000 project in front of the town hall removing broken cobbles and cracked tarmac and replacing it with paving, walls and kerbs."
The funding will complement investment already being made by Riverside Inverclyde in sites along the waterfront and will focus on improving the attractiveness and accessibility of Greenock, allowing a number of projects to be progressed within the year.
Riverside Inverclyde and Inverclyde Council will invest the monies in a series of developments to improve both the physical environment and the retail experience in Greenock. Key sites will be substantially improved and where possible assistance will be made available to businesses looking to expand and move into the town centre.
A separate bid is currently being developed for Gourock and will be submitted to the Scottish Government in August when a bid for Port Glasgow will also be resubmitted.
For further information regarding the projects being implemented please contact ri's Implementation Manager Geoff Gregory on 01475 755080 or email at Geoff.gregory@riversideinverclyde.com
