£5m Gourock town centre project shortlisted for top award

It is one of three of three shortlisted for the Best Regeneration Project at The Herald Property Awards next month.

The award is sponsored by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, whose chief officer, Phil Prentice, visited the town with West of Scotland Labour MSP Neil Bibby.

Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) was officially launched as the ‘go-to’ body for the nation’s  towns in 2014 by the Scottish Government.

STP are currently visiting town centres all over Scotland with MSPs, and Mr Bibby asked Mr Prentice to join him in Gourock, Greenock and Port Glasgow to meet local traders.

Mr Prentice, who lives in Inverkip, said he had a great day in the three towns, and praised the recent investment in Gourock, which he described as ‘Scotland’s most niche retail town’.

He said: “We’re meeting a hundred MSPs all over the country to talk about what can be done to revitalise our town centres, to encourage people to live, shop and spend their leisure time there.

“We want to see local people involved in redesigning town centres for themselves.”

Mr Bibby, Labour’s shadow town centre spokesperson,said he was grateful for the opportunity to meet Mr Prentice in Gourock. The MSP said: “A tremendous job has been done of regenerating Gourock. 

“I’m keen to listen to local businesses and ensure their voices are heard at the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government.

“There is often a focus on supporting cities, but we need to make sure there is also a concentration on town centres.”

Riverside Inverclyde, who undertook the £5.7 million Gourock redevelopment on behalf of Inverclyde Council, are up against both Aberdeenshire and Perth  and Kinross councils for the award.

The Gourock work introduced a one-way road system to aid the flow of traffic through Kempock Street, a new car park with increased number of spaces and improved sea wall, better drainage and lighting and other improvements.

The awards evening will be held on September 22 in Glasgow.