Following an extensive regeneration programme by Argyll and Bute Council with key partners, Campbeltown is shortlisted for Scotland’s most improved place in the 2020 SURF Awards.
Each year, SURF, Scotland’s Independent Regeneration Network, and the Scottish Government team up to deliver the national SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration.
The appearance and vibrancy of Campbeltown town centre has been significantly improved with investment of £13 million to repair over 40 buildings, improve shopfronts and deliver parallel projects. They include:
•Improved community facilities including the renovated cinema and Town Hall
•Restoration of Campbeltown Cross in partnership with Community Council
•Shopfront Improvement Scheme leading to a number of new businesses opening
•Quarry Green sculpture project due to start in October
•Over 2,000m2 of vacant/derelict floorspace brought back into use;
•Full repair of 11 tenement buildings containing 58 flats and 26 commercial units, helping bring many vacant units back into use;
•Transformation of a derelict building into a community backpackers hostel
Partnership working with Housing Services has also seen £3 million of grants awarded to over 70 private owners for repairs to multi-ownership tenements.
Councillor Alastair Redman, Policy Lead for Economic Growth:
“This is fantastic news for Campbeltown. The council and partners have worked together to secure funding which has enabled key buildings to be repaired and vacant properties to be brought back into use.
This successful programme of works is already delivering huge benefits safeguarding homes, jobs and businesses and attracting new people and business to the area, so vital to the economic recovery of Argyll and Bute. It has been a fantastic example of partnership working to deliver huge community benefit.”
The council has taken a partnership approach to the Campbeltown project, engaging with the community at all stages. Partners include; Campbeltown Community Council; Campbeltown Community Business; South Kintyre Development Trust (SKDT); Kintyre Amenity Trust (KAT); Inspiralba; Keeping it Local; local businesses; tenement owners associations.
The judging takes place on October 27.