A NEW £20 million bid to invest in Greenock's town centre and rebuild it as part of a ten year plan has been officially launched.
Inverclyde MP Martin McCluskey is joining local businesses, the third sector, community representatives and Inverclyde Council on an independent town board.
The UK Government's new Price in Place funding aims to support local enterprise and develop opportunities for the next generation.
One of Scotland's most successful entrepreneurs, Lord Willie Haughey, will lead the board and is joined by the likes of PG Paper's Dr Poonan Gupta OBE and CVS Inverclyde chief executive Charlene Elliott.
Some of the first initiatives to be rolled out will be a fund for local businesses and a youth enterprise hub.
Inverclyde MP Martin McCluskey said: "This £20 million investment from the UK Government is a clear vote of confidence in Greenock’s future.
“The Pride in Place plan sets out a bold vision to revitalise our town centre, support local businesses and give our young people the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.
“This plan is the result of consultation with the local community and local businesses. It sets out the priorities that people across the community have called for.
“This is about more than regeneration itself. Restoring pride and confidence in our town is of the utmost importance.
"From making the town centre safer and more attractive to helping the next generation of entrepreneurs get started, the plan will deliver real benefits for people across our community."
Inverclyde's MP has already indicated his priority to give grants from the Pride of Place investment directly to local high street businesses and says it is part of a much larger plan for the area.
He added: "Alongside major investments already being made at Inchgreen Marine Park and across Port Glasgow and Greenock town centres, this funding demonstrates a long-term commitment from the UK Government to Inverclyde’s future.
"By working together, we can build a stronger and more inclusive Greenock, one that people are proud to call home, to build their businesses and raise their families in.”
The plan will be developed and rolled out over the next decade using £20m of UK Government funding and potential additional external investment and will complement recent and ongoing regeneration projects.
The first two Pride in Place initiatives were also announced at today’s launch event aimed at supporting businesses and developing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
On the launch day pupils from Inverclyde Academy and Notre Dame High, took part in workshops at the Beacon Arts Centre as part of the new Future Ready Greenock programme.
Board member Dr Gupta said: “As vice-chair of the Greenock Town Board and a Greenock-based business owner, I have seen first-hand the talent, resilience and ambition that exists within our community."
“This £20 million investment represents a transformative opportunity to revitalise our town centre, support local businesses, create opportunities for young people and celebrate our heritage.
“We can create a thriving Greenock that honours its past while embracing its future.”
The Pride in Place vision has been developed to complement existing regeneration plans.
UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress local partners are making to ensure people in Greenock benefit from this £20 million UK Government investment, part of our £492 million Pride in Place fund to tackle deprivation and revitalise communities across Scotland.
For more information about Greenock Town Board, including the board recruitment, and the Pride in Place plan, visit www.inverclyde.gov.uk/greenock-pride-in-place-plan
"By putting spending decisions in the hands of local people, we are helping to build stronger neighbourhoods that are great places to live, work and play."
The Greenock Town Board's 10 current members are Councillor Francesca Brennan and Elizabeth Robertson; Stuart McMillan MSP; Martin McCluskey MP; Chief Inspector David Doherty of Police Scotland; CVS chief executive, Charlene Elliott; Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce president Lizzy Todd; and Smiths of Greenock managing director Keith Wilson.
The board will soon be recruiting for two new community representatives to join them and would welcome expressions of interest from anyone who wants to represent Greenock.
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