REGENERATION chiefs have welcomed a £1 million double boost for two major Greenock projects.

The Tele revealed how the Scottish Government had teamed up with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to award almost £400,000 towards the cost of Inverclyde Council’s redevelopment of the former Mearns Centre site.

A further £650,000 has been granted to urban regeneration company Riverside Inverclyde (RI) to help pay for the continuing overhaul of Greenock’s historic Custom House building.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde’s environment and regeneration convener, said: “This is welcome news.

“Making sure that we get access to national funds to promote worthwhile local projects are critical roles in our long term regeneration plans.

The delivery of these projects will help to deliver physical regeneration, create jobs and secure existing jobs in the area.” The council, in partnership with the local community and Inverclyde Association for Mental Health (IAMH), are working together to deliver a new horticultural training and community facility on Mearns Street and surrounding area as part of the wider Broomhill regeneration project.

It will provide facilities and activities to promote and enhance wider regeneration and community cohesion and is expected to create seven new jobs, support six existing jobs and house IAMH.

The RI project will see further restoration of the landmark Custom House to create an affordable office space for small and medium-sized companies to drive regeneration and economic activity in Greenock.

It will see the development of the upper west wing and will begin some time next year once the current works in the lower west wing are completed in the spring.

Gerry McCarthy, RI’s chairman, said: “The award of almost £650,000 is recognition of vision and commitment of RI in stimulating economic growth and diversity in Inverclyde.

“This funding allows RI to complete its £4m refurbishment of this iconic building, helping to safeguard and create jobs in Inverclyde.”