Iconic Glasgow building to pass into community hands
One of the most recognisable buildings in Pollok is set to become a community asset following a grant of £332,000 from the Scottish Land Fund.
The money will be used by Greater Pollok Enterprise Trust to buy The Wedge on Barrhead Road in order to create co-working spaces for social enterprises and, at Museum Business Park, a hub, including working spaces and business units, to promote the employment of local people.
Kate Arnot, Chairperson, Greater Pollok Enterprise Trust said: “This is wonderful news for GPET and more importantly for the people of Pollok and the neighbouring areas for whom vital services can continue. GPET will be able to offer new community services, develop social enterprises which will empower the community and regenerate an under-used resource.”
Greater Pollok Enterprise Trust is one of ten community ownership projects which have shared in £2,819,430 from the Scottish Land fund.
Minister, Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham said of today’s grants: “This funding will enable ordinary communities across Scotland to achieve extraordinary things. By taking ownership of these assets – which range from inns, mills and woodlands in rural areas, to a social enterprise business hub in Nitshill, Glasgow – communities will open up opportunities for a whole range of projects and activities. My best wishes go to each of the groups, who have all worked hard to secure the Scottish Land Fund grants being awarded today.”
John Watt, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “Breathing new life into redundant facilities and finding new purposes for historic sites are just some of the ways in which the Scottish Land Fund is helping to support local communities across Scotland and its benefits are being felt from some of the most remote parts of the country to densely-populated urban areas.”
Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said: “Today’s successful projects are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities. The Spa Pavilion for instance, is a source of great pride to Strathpeffer and is a key economic asset for the local community as a visitor attraction and providing employment. “Ownership will give the community greater control over these important assets and will help ensure its long-term future. We wish all the successful communities very best in their new ventures.”
Other projects receiving Scottish Land Fund cash today are:
Strathpeffer Pavilion Community Trust (SPCT)
Award - £484,500
SPCT will take over ownership of Strathpeffer Spa Pavilion, along with its pump house and gardens, in order to retain a key economic asset for the community. The Pavilion is used for weddings and community events and is a visitor attraction.
South West Mull & Iona Development
Award - £450,487
Purchasing an area of land at Bendoran in the Ross of Mull, will allow SWMID to develop a water sports centre, a boat maintenance area and seaweed farm facilities, creating employment and training opportunities.
Portree and Braes Community Trust
Award - £88,390
This group will purchase former tennis and squash courts in the centre of Portree in order to create 80 new car parking facilities and space for eight motorhomes in order to reduce congestion within the village.
Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Trust
Award - £224,900
The Trust will acquire and redevelop land and buildings surrounding the iconic lighthouse to allow it to develop the cafe, shop, exhibition space and holiday lets that it already operates on the site.
Barrhill Development Trust
Award- £135,000
Purchasing the village pub, The Trout Inn, will allow Barrhill Development Trust to retain an important amenity and to develop it for the benefit of the local economy and community.
Friends of Glenan Wood
Award - £326,750
Friends of Glenan Wood will purchase 361 acres of woodland in Cowal and the Trossachs, developing community access, creating employment for a part-time forest ranger and a development officer, and introducing a woodland management plan to safeguard the natural ecology.
The Dornoch Area Community Interest Group
Award - £405,903
TDACIT will use the award to purchase the local police station and associated land in the town’s Argyle Street and convert it into a business hub, studios, workshop space for artists, accommodation for a seasonal worker and a gym.
Peebles Community Trust
Award - £189,200
Peebles Community Trust will purchase the former ex-servicemen’s club in the town, currently supporting more than 100 community groups, to prevent it from being closed and in order to allow it to be used by even more organisations.
Palnackie Village Shop Ltd
Award - £182,250
By purchasing the sole village shop, adjoining cafe and attached 3-bedroom bungalow, this group will create a social space for isolated residents and provide affordable rental housing.
