North Ayrshire projects will receive £45,000 from the first round of grants from the SNP Government’s Scotland Loves Local Fund.
The Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance (The Coig Ltd) and Millport Town Hall have been awarded £22,500 each.
The Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance will also use the funds for the development of an Ayrshire and Arran online marketplace, delivery of a pre-Christmas social media campaign, development of the Ayrshire Local Development Trust, delivery of a campaign harnessing local voices to create their local area.
Millport Town Hall will continue the transformation of the currently derelict Millport Town Hall into a vibrant, self-sustaining community hub, with activities and self-help groups to address anxiety, stress and social isolation and improve mental and physical health.
The whole island community, particularly elderly and more vulnerable community members, will benefit from the community spaces created, an arts and culture centre for performances, exhibitions & community social events, indoor sports facilities for all ages and the improved local environment. Local volunteers deserve enormous praise for their determination to secure funding for the town hall and this is just their latest success.
The regenerated building will provide a focus for inter-generational activities and Sanctuary Care Home, with more than 40 adults with mental and physical disabilities able to enjoy educational and creative experience. Five new local jobs will be created.
The £1.5 million Scotland Loves Local fund was set up to help revitalise cities, town centres and neighbourhoods across Scotland.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“Congratulations to the Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Alliance and Millport Town Hall on securing these awards for their innovative projects.
“I am delighted at this £45,000 investment in these two excellent projects, which will encourage support for the local economy both on the mainland and on Cumbrae, which was so heavily impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“This kind of action reinforces the SNP’s determination to support North Ayrshire as we recover from the pandemic – helping make sure we create a fairer, healthier, greener, inclusive and more sustainable economic recovery.”
ENDS
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