£2m Barra business investment on course

With regard to the former Co-op building in Castlebay, on Barra, the proposed demolition of the property was included in the comhairle's successful South Uist and Barra Regeneration Programme bid to the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund in 2013, reflecting the wishes of the community.

The successful bid delivered investment of up to £2 million in Barra with two new business units in Castlebay, the regeneration of the Vatersay Hall, and included the demolition of the former Co-op store, together with funding for environmental improvements, the nature of these to be agreed by the community in due course.

Bùth Bharraigh was made aware of the comhairle's intention to demolish the building prior to the comhairle facilitating its temporary occupancy of the building in late 2013 and this occupation was always intended to be of a temporary nature.

Castlebay Community Council confirmed the decision in 2016 that the old Co-op building be demolished as part of the South Uist and Barra Regeneration Programme.

The comhairle has continued to support Bùth Bharraigh with alternative premises including specialist advisory support and continues to make significant investments to support a range of business and community projects in Barra, recognising the contribution which Bùth Bharraigh and other community enterprises make to the local economy.