Rothesay Townscape Heritage Scheme - March 2024 Final Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 5 March 2024
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Committee — 5 March 2024 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL BUTE AND COWAL AREA COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 5 MARCH 2024 ROTHESAY TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE SCHEME – MARCH 2024 FINAL UPDATE 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1. The purpose of this report is to update members on the progress of the Rothesay Townscape Heritage (TH) scheme as the programme nears completion. 1.2. The 5 year programme, which started in September 2017, was due to complete in September 2022. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent impact on the construction industry, completion was delayed until 31st December 2023. Further contractor and weather related delays now mean the programme will have a final completion date of 31st March 2024 to allow for these final transformational projects to be completed as planned. 1.3. The programme has made a transformational difference to the town centre of Rothesay including: • 4 priority buildings restored with a 5th due to complete by end of March 2024. This includes the new Argyll and Bute Council Customer Service hub at 37 Victoria Street. • 4 shopfronts restored with a 5th due to complete by end March 2024. • 9 traditional window projects completed. • 14 training and community engagement events held involving School Pupils and Homeowners. • 1 Community pop-up shop and innovation space created. RECOMMENDATIONS That members of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee note and consider the content of the report.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL BUTE AND COWAL AREA COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 5 MARCH 2024 ROTHESAY TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE SCHEME – MARCH 2024 FINAL UPDATE 2. INTRODUCTION 2.1. The purpose of this report is to update members on the progress of the Rothesay Townscape Heritage (TH) scheme as the programme nears. 2.2. The 5 year programme which started in September 2017 was due to complete in September 2022. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent impact on the construction industry, completion was extended until 31st December 2023 to allow for all of the regeneration projects to complete as planned. Further contractor and weather related delays now mean the programme will have a final completion date of 31st March 2024 to allow for all of these transformational projects to be completed as planned. 2.3. The Rothesay Townscape Heritage (TH2) Project is a £2.8m jointly funded grant programme focusing on the regeneration of historic buildings as well as traditional skills, training and community engagement. 2.4. Rothesay TH is part funded by the Scottish Government, The European Community Argyll and the Islands LEADER Programme 2014-2020, Historic Environment Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Smarter Choices Smarter Places, and Argyll and Bute Council. 2.5. The programme has made a transformational difference to the town centre of Rothesay including: • 4 priority buildings restored with a 5th due to complete by end of March 2024. This includes the new Argyll and Bute Council Customer Service hub at 37 Victoria Street • 4 shopfronts restored with a 5th due to complete by end of March 2024. • 9 traditional window projects completed. • 14 training and community engagement events held involving School Pupils and Homeowners. • 1 Community pop-up shop and innovation space created.
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3. RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1. It is recommended that members of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee note and consider the content of the report. 4. DETAIL 4.1. Rothesay Townscape Heritage (TH) Scheme is primarily a heritage and regeneration focused grants administration scheme that involves substantial amounts of dialogue and commitment with property owners, both residential and business, and the wider community to see the economic regeneration realised. A large component of the programme is also dedicated to raising awareness of the historic built environment and celebrating the heritage and culture of the Isle of Bute. 4.2. The scheme has been transformational for the town centre and has delivered visual improvements benefitting those who live, work and visit this historic town. 4.3. Priority Building Repairs Full scale repairs have now been carried out to the following properties: • Isle of Bute Discovery Centre (The Winter Gardens) • 73-77 Victoria Street • 39-43 Victoria Street • 1 Tower Street & 37 Victoria Street (New Customer Service Hub) • 69-72 Victoria Street (due to complete by end of February 2024) The regeneration works that have taken place at 1 Tower Street/37 Victoria Street include the new customer service hub. Argyll and Bute Council had purchased 37 Victoria Street (former Royal Bank of Scotland Branch) and this allowed for registration staff to be relocated from Eaglesham House to this ideal town centre location. The public response to announcements on social media has been very positive and a welcome move in terms of accessibility. 4.4. Shopfront Restoration The following shops have benefitted from full-scale restoration: • The Electric Bakery • Glens Clothing, Victoria Street • Bussey’s, Victoria Street (currently occupied by “For Bute”) • DC Murray, Argyle Street • 70 Victoria Street (Empty Premises to become “Gallacher Furniture”)
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4.5. Training and Community Engagement The following projects have been delivered with a view to raising awareness of the historic built environment, to celebrate the heritage and culture of Bute, and to help strengthen resilience within the island’s creative, innovative and tourism industries: • Built Heritage Information Sessions – 244 school pupils learnt about common building problems and the importance of maintenance through a range of educational tools and workshops. A range of practical workshops were also held for homeowners, including the repair and maintenance of timber windows, and working with lime render. • Environmental Arts Project – An audio tour of Rothesay, entitled, “If these stones could talk” encouraged an audience of 22 to discover the hidden delights of Rothesay and what makes it a great place to live, work and visit. • Audience Development – The work sought to engage with the local community to understand how best to market Bute to visitors. Targeted segments including: heritage, wildlife and active tourism were recommended as a result of the exercise, and which form the basis of a toolkit that is available to businesses island-wide, and which has been shared with Visit Bute as a resource that can be further developed by the organisation. This report has also been shared with Bute BID who have expressed it contains very useful information and research in relation to delivering their primary aim of establishing the Island as a thriving, vibrant place where visitors will want to visit and where new businesses will want to invest. • Digital Strategy – Further analysis explored the digital journey that visitors make from first considerations to actually stepping foot on the island, and which resulted in recommendations around the need for a Bute brand, specific digital platforms, and a central organised marketing effort. This report has been shared with Bute BID who are looking in to improving the digital presence of Bute Businesses. • Artist’s Workshop Analysis – A project was undertaken to analyse demand for town centre artists’ workshop and studio space using the WASPS model, which houses workshops in restored historic derelict buildings. The study recognised Bute’s vibrant artistic community, and suggested there is interest for a shared workshop/studio space, though also illustrated the difficulties in achieving this due to the variety of art practices, all of which require quite different and specific needs. • Wayfinding – Areas of the town centre were reviewed with sustainable transport in mind. As part of the TH boundary, options for
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the Harbour and Promenade area were developed to detailed design stage and which include potential for enhanced walking and cycling routes. This report has been shared with colleagues in Sustainable Transport who have now been able to secure external funding and have commissioned a contractor to develop options for improving walking/cycling facilities linking Rothesay Pavilion, Ferry Terminal and Albert Pier along the A844 Argyle Street / Victoria Street. Part of this will involve community consultation on the potential improvements. • The BANK Enterprise Space – Rothesay TH grant funded the full operational costs relating to a popup and co-working space pilot, from which substantial learning was derived. This pilot has provided a well- used community space that delivers events, engagement opportunities and temporary office space. • Rothesay Castle “Town and Sea” Projection – A two day event that projected on to the castle wall, mural projects, based on the maritime past of Bute and the colours, textures and materials that make up the townscape. • Programme Evaluation – A contractor was commissioned in 2023 to undertake an evaluation of the programme. The exercise evaluated the impact of both the current programme and previous “Rothesay THI 2011-16” programme. A socio economic data and perception analysis was also carried out as part of this exercise in order to compare data with the previous programme. This report is being updated to include the most recently completed buildings and will be finalised and available following the programme closure in March 2024. 5. CONCLUSION 5.1. Programme staff are now working closely with owners and their respective architects to ensure the successful completion of the remaining two building projects. 5.2. The 5 year programme has delivered a transformational benefit to the town centre of Rothesay. This has complemented previous investment by the “Rothesay Townscape Heritage Initiative 2011-16” programme that focused on the eastern side of the town. 5.3. Following completion of the programme at the end of March 2024 the evaluation report will be finalised providing key outputs.
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6. IMPLICATIONS 6.1. Policy - The Outcome Improvement Plan, Local Development Plan, Economic Strategy and Economic Recovery Plan support town centre regeneration and a diverse and thriving economy. 6.2. Financial - Argyll and Bute Council funding of £200,000 is committed. In addition, Rothesay TH is also made up of the following which do not include the owners contributions: National Lottery Heritage Fund £1,888,500 Historic Environment Scotland £500,000 Highlands and Islands Enterprise £70,249 LEADER £65,800 Smarter Choices Smarter Places £21,500 6.3. Legal - Grant contracts were provided to third parties. 6.4. HR - A dedicated project officer has been recruited for the duration of the project. Staff salaries are included within the project budget. 6.5. Fairer Scotland Duty: 6.5.1 Fairer Scotland Duty – None. 6.5.2 Equalities – None. 6.5.3 Socio-economic Duty – None. 6.5.4 Islands – This project benefits the town of Rothesay. 6.6. Climate Change - No direct implications. The importance of this subject is communicated to contractors to ensure that where possible climate adaption and mitigation is considered to help create a thriving, sustainable local economy and a healthier, happier place fostering lower carbon lifestyles. 6.7. Risk - That grant schemes are undersubscribed or that projects run over time or budget. These risks will be carefully monitored and mitigation measures introduced on a case by case basis. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic also presents a risk to meeting project timelines and as such related Government guidance will continually be reviewed. 6.8. Customer Service - The council is responsible for administering Rothesay Townscape Heritage grants on behalf of National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland and for ensuring due diligence in the performance of its duties.
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6.9. The Rights of the Child – None arising directly from this report. Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth Councillor Liz McCabe, Policy Lead for Islands and Business Development February 2024 For further information contact: Colin Fulcher, Senior Economic Regeneration Officer, Transformation Projects and Regeneration Team Audrey Martin, Transformational Projects and Regeneration Manager