Another windfall for town’s heritage bid

INVERKEITHING: Lottery funding of £l.25m bolsters fiveyear programme of regeneration works

Inverkeithing is celebrating a second massive heritage windfall.

The historic town has received £1.25 million from a £3.5m pot, thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The news comes after Inverkeithing’s successful £1m bid to Historic Environment Scotland through its latest round of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme funding.

It means a regeneration package of more than £3 million is available for a five-year programme of heritage-themed improvement and investment in the town.

In Inverkeithing, the medieval town centre is set for a new lease of life.

The often-overlooked historic buildings which form the heart of Fife’s first royal burgh will be restored and repaired, while public spaces will be rejuvenated, encouraging businesses and visitors to the area.

The cornerstone of the project will be the restoration of the A-listed Georgian Town House into a much-needed hub for community use.

SNP councillor Alice McGarry, the local area convener said: “This is more good news for Inverkeithing and its regeneration.

“It reflects the positive and constructive input taken on board from local people and groups in Inverkeithing while the applications were developed.

“It also represents a major step forward in starting to realise local people’s vision for the town as expressed in the Imagine Inverkeithing community masterplan developed last year.

“People wanted to see new investment, jobs, and diversifying the local economy, while protecting and enhancing our built and natural heritage.”

Economy and tourism convener, Labour councillor Altany Craik said: “Like many towns today, Inverkeithing has to contend with a range of negative market forces, like changing shopping habits, and as an historic centre, needs investment to tackle dilapidation associated with an ageing building stock.”

The lottery funding is among the first to be made following a major devolution of the decision-making process, putting 80% of money distributed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund into the hands of local people.

Riona McMorrow, acting head of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Making more decisions on funding in Scotland means we can focus on the heritage that really matters to people, creating jobs, bringing economic prosperity and improving people’s lives right across the country.

“The awards we’ve made today not only demonstrate how incredibly diverse our heritage is, they celebrate the thousands of volunteers who commit their time to making sure our country’s past is kept safe for future generations.”

“People wanted to see new investment, jobs and diversifying the local economy, while protecting and enhancing our built and natural heritage. COUNCILLOR ALICE MCGARRY

PIcture: Dougie Nicolson. An undated image of High Street, Inverkeithing, left, and how it looks today.