Campbeltown THI Annual Update Evening

[CampbeltownTHI]

Campbeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) is hosting its annual update event at the KYES (Kintyre Youth Enquiry Service) shop, 2-4 Main Street on Friday 29th November from 7pm until 9pm.

Visitors will be able to drop in and see examples of the THI’s completed and forthcoming projects, as well as being able to meet members of the team and pick up copies of their latest newsletter. As the event coincides with the switch on of the Christmas lights, the team will be serving hot drinks, cakes and mince pies!

The South Kintyre Development Trust (SKDT) recently secured over £1million of Big Lottery funding, as well as over £300,000 of CHORD funding for the renovation of Campbeltown Town Hall.

This is a huge boost for the THI as it means they will be able to offer a grant of £378,000 towards the renovation of this key town centre building. SKDT and Argyll and Bute Council have been working in partnership since 2011 to ensure that this important community building has a sustainable future. The £1.7 million project will see the building being fully renovated internally and externally, bringing it back into use for the local community.

The council is also actively working to secure a positive outcome for the building at 50-52 Main Street/ 2 Cross Street.

The THI has recently completed the project at 13-15 Kirk Street, which saw the category C listed 19th century tenement brought back in to use, significantly improving the streetscape. The THI granted £176,000 out of a total project cost of £335,000.

Renovation work was completed last year on the Royal Hotel and the tenements at 27-31 and 60 Main Street, as well as work on the Old Schoolhouse, bringing it back in to use as accommodation for backpackers

A total of seventeen shop-fronts have also been refurbished, including Numero Dix and Roland Butler. Over 50 small grant works have also been completed including the refurbishment of over 140 original timber windows.

The Campbeltown THI project has so far awarded more than 75 grants, totalling £835,000, with work being carried out on over 40 town centre buildings. Over 40 local contractors have been involved in the works.

As well as the building work the THI also runs traditional skills training initiatives. Thus far 36 events have been organised, with training for contractors, building professionals, homeowners and community groups.

The THI also runs the Campbeltown Heritage Trail, which saw over 150 people from all over the world take the guided tour of the historical sites in the town. Tour dates for next year will be announced in the spring.

In conjunction with Housing Services, the THI also works to encourage owners to work together to safeguard the future of their properties.

Further information is available from the THI website at: http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/CampbeltownTHI