TWO PlaceMaking Awards for Lochgelly Town Centre

ECD are delighted to announce that the regeneration of the Lochgelly Town Centre has been awarded two PlaceMaking Awards; the 2016 PlaceMaking Award for Promoting Economic Growth, and also the PlaceMaking Regional Scotland Awards.

The PlaceMaking awards recognise projects which can evidence that they have improved, or are likely to improve, the physical or environmental quality of a place, or the economic or social well-being of a community.

The Regeneration of Lochgelly has embraced a holistic approach and is providing:

• New homes to address issues of fuel poverty and improve resident accommodation
• New retail units to enliven the High Street
  
• The renovation of the town Miners Institute building to provide training facilities for the local community
• A new business centre as an incubator to support start up and developing companies
• The conversion of a derelict church facility to create a state-of-the art climbing facility to attract people into the area and improve the local leisure facilities
  

The success of these projects can already be seen in the town. The business centre is now home to 16 business employing an excess of 80 individuals. Six of these are new companies started by local residents and all of these businesses have helped spur further local economic activity outwith its walls as a number of the tenant businesses have now linked with existing local suppliers and groups for mutual benefit. For example, one tenant now has their own shop close to the centre from where they trade whilst others have integrated with local businesses for sub-contracting works.

Alistair Cameron, the Project Director, said “The PlaceMaking Awards recognise the successful Regeneration of Lochgelly. This could not have been achieved without the local community and client, Ore Valley Housing Association – an organisation which over the years has had an incredible commitment to undertake projects which develop not only housing but also the business and leisure facilities which make a community, resulting in a truly holistic regeneration of the area.”