‘High street hero’ gets top national honour
A HARD working local hero has received a national honour for his dedication to the people of Inverclyde.
Gourock man Bruce Newlands, founder of Inverclyde Shed and owner of McGilps pop-up shop in Gourock, was runner-up in the High Street Hero category at the Scotland Loves Local awards.
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the awards raise awareness of work taking place to improve communities all over Scotland — from tackling the climate emergency to transforming streets and creating great places to live.
Bruce, who is an architect to trade, also runs an art business — TRANCND — and has been responsible for spectacular ‘guerrilla’ lighting installations across Inverclyde in recent years.
The nomination submitted for Bruce said the businessman had ‘immersed himself in trying to build a better Inverclyde’ through his work.
Bruce was commended for setting up Inverclyde Shed to target social exclusion and building it into an organisation with a substantial membership.
His work on community growing projects all over Inverclyde, including the garden just off Shore Street in Gourock, was also highlighted.
He received praise for coming up with creative ideas for Inverclyde and for his dedication to community growing projects.
Bruce’s work with the pop-up shop in Gourock has been credited with giving entrepreneurs a springboard into business.
The nomination said: “He really is the epitome of a high street hero — one of life’s genuinely nice guys.”
Speaking at the event at CentreStage in Kilmacolm, Bruce said: “I was humbled to be nominated for this award and even more so to read about others’ work in their communities.
“We’ve got some good people in Scotland, doing great things for their local community, high street, and the wider environment.
“I’d just like to thank everyone at the Shed.
“It exists for its members who all play an active role in making it the success that it is.”
STP chairman, Professor Leigh Sparks, said: “The dedication of people to deliver for their community never fails to amaze us.
“Our finalists and award winners stand testament to the innovation and determination which will create better town centres as part of a stronger, more sustainable Scotland.”