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The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Timeline for £24 million Greenock transformation revealed in new plans
The work will see a number of places demolished, including the Hector McNeil House, the Bullring Roundabout and the eastern side of the Oak Mall Shopping Centre. The A8 flyover in place of traffic light junctions will be removed, while the creation of new public spaces and a fresh entrance for the Oak Mall will also take place. Extensive planning has taken place on the project with some initial works and site investigations carried out. The main bulk of the work is to begin later in the year with contractors starting with the Oak Mall and Hector McNeill House works. The project is scheduled for completion in 2027 with more details on that to be announced in the future. Read More Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: 'This is a complex project involving various public and private sector partners and a lot of hard work has gone in behind the scenes to get to this stage where the main works are due to start soon. 'This is the biggest project of its kind in a generation with the aim of transforming central Greenock and the town centre for the better and is really exciting. 'It will build on the good work that's been done to date, including the new Ocean Terminal building and the West Blackhall Street redevelopment, by making Greenock a more accessible and attractive place to live, work, visit and do business. 'There will, of course, be disruption and we're not shying away from that. 'We're also well aware of disruption experienced by residents in recent times due to a variety of emergency and planned works, particularly on the roads network and we share those frustrations. 'Council officers are working closely with the main contractor and alongside our various partners to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. 'It's worth remembering though that the long-term goal here is to modernise and improve Greenock and to try and revitalise the town centre. 'I hope people will share in this positive outlook for the town and get behind Greenock.' The total investment in the central Greenock project is expected to be around £23.58m, including associated land and road improvement costs. Inverclyde Council successfully bid for £19.39m from the UK Government towards the project with the remaining £4.19m is being sourced from various external funding pots and the council's capital reserves. UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: "I welcome confirmation that the transformation of Greenock Town Centre will begin later this year. 'This exciting project, funded by £19.39 million UK Government investment, will boost the economy, create skilled Scottish jobs and enhance the lives of communities. "The UK Government is investing more than £1.4 billion in dozens of important local growth projects and programmes across Scotland over the next 10 years - including up to £20 million more for Greenock as part of our Plan for Neighbourhoods. 'Working with partners we will deliver a decade of national renewal through our Plan for Change." The transformative programme from Inverclyde Council will create civic spaces, a restructured retail offer and improve links between various parts of the town centre and the waterfront. The ageing A78 flyover and the Bullring Roundabout will be removed with the road brought down to ground level to improve access. It will be replaced by a low-level trunk road which brings the town together and provide easier access for visitors and residents.
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Victorian UK seaside town and popular cruise port with its own pod of dolphins set for £22million makeover
The stunning town is also home to a Line Of Duty star who rated it above Las Vegas COASTAL REVAMP Victorian UK seaside town and popular cruise port with its own pod of dolphins set for £22million makeover Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR seaside town is set to undergo a £22 million upgrade, which will create more public spaces. The Scottish town of Greenock will see a complete overhaul of its town centre as part of the development. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The centre of Greenock in Inverclyde, Scotland is set to undergo a £22 million restructure development Credit: Alamy 8 The project will see part of the local shopping centre demolished to create an outdoor public space Credit: Inverclyde Council 8 The Oak Mall is set to see 40% of its residential units demolished as part of the redevelopment Credit: Wikimedia Commons Located just a 40 minute drive from Glasgow, Greenock is one of the UK's leading cruise hubs. The Victorian town, which has a population of 41,280, welcomes up to 80 cruise ships each year. Greenock grew from a small fishing village to the site of the first port of the Firth of Clyde in 1711. This development is funded by the government's Levelling Up project and has an estimated completion date of autumn 2026. A main focus of the project involves improving access to the Greenock's town centre. It will involve the redesigning and lowering of the A78 flyover to ground level to improve access and create better connections to the town centre. The Bullring Roundabout is set to be replaced with a new low-level road and signalised junction to provide improved links to different parts of the town centre. This work will also see the development of new public spaces for the local community. It will also help modernise local retail space by demolishing the A78 dual carriageway and 40% of the Oak Mall shopping centre, creating a new mall entrance. The Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Hector McNeill House headquarters and the Hunters Place Public Toilets will also be demolished as part of the centre's restructure. The 100-year-old theme park by the beach with one of the world's oldest rollercoasters Demolition of the Oak Mall and Hector McNeill House elements is set to begin before summer, followed by the work to the A78. Construction is set to end by late summer 2026, with project completion scheduled for autumn 2026. 'This is a hugely complex project with so many different elements in one of the busiest parts of Inverclyde in terms of traffic," said Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council's convener of environment and regeneration. 'There has been a huge amount of work on the go in the background by council officers working closely with the various partner agencies to get this important Greenock Town Centre regeneration project off the ground. 'There will of course be substantial disruption... but I hope people will continue to share in our vision of making Greenock Town Centre a more attractive and welcoming place to live, work, visit ,and do business." 'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp By Nicole Cherruault A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp. The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the council launches a multi-million pound "vision for change" after locals complained the town felt "left behind". More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers. Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports Manchester Evening News. The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy. Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities. And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners. This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements. The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year. However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas. He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council. 'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre. 'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.' Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community. In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles. He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community. 'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community. 'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.' The town previously saw ground break on a number of regeneration projects, including the construction of a new Ocean Terminal cruise ship visitor centre. According to the Inverclyde Council, the work is designed to make Greenock more attractive, bringing in more visitors, creating new opportunities, and making the town centre more accessible for residents and visitors. Last year, Greenock was named among the top 10 UK seaside towns to visit with your kids. The town's historic Esplanade, which was first opened in 1867, offers scenic views of the surrounding hills and lochs of the Scottish Highlands as well as the town's existing Victorian architecture. And this mile-long walk will also give you stunning views of the docked cruise ships and you may even spot the town's local dolphin pod. For a closer look, visitors can enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour long boat excursion, which includes a free hot drink for colder days. 8 Visitors to the area can enjoy a boat excursion which offers a close up view of a local pod of dolphins Credit: SWNS 8 Greenock features a wide variety of historic sites, with early settlements dating back as far as 1296 Credit: Alamy From £49.99 per adult, the activity offers you the chance to see the pod of five dolphins, including adult male Lunar, adult female Zuzu and her young calf, as well adult female Bodhi. Two-year-old Clyde, named after his beloved home, proves to be a fan favourite with visitors. Visitors can also take in the stunning surroundings on short day excursions, including Loch Lomond, Inveraray Castle, and Stirling Castle, which was often frequented by the Queen of Scots. Film buffs may even spot some locations used for the backdrop of the iconic Braveheart. And the area also has ties to the silver screen, with Line Of Duty's Martin Compston calling the scenic town home. The actor and former footballer discussed splitting his time between Nevada and his home town in an interview with the BBC. "A warm Vegas night under the stars is lovely but the view we have from the couch in Greenock, where you see these huge cruise ships coming in from all over the world, is also amazing," he said. And if you're not on a shore excursion, you can nab a hotel room in the town for as little as £68 per night. As well as a wide variety of activities, the town also offers a bustling night life, from sports bars and gastro pubs to family-friendly restaurants. For a high-end experience, take in the stunning interior of the local Old Bank Bar. Or opt for a more affordable drinking session at the Tail O' The Bank, which offers stunning waterside views. 8 A pod of dolphins can often be spotted in the Firth of Clyde Credit: SWNS 8 Line of Duty star Martin Compston hails from Greenock, spending his time between the Scottish town and Las Vegas Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
Victorian UK seaside town and popular cruise port with its own pod of dolphins set for £22million makeover
A POPULAR seaside town is set to undergo a £22 million upgrade, which will create more public spaces. The Scottish town of Greenock will see a complete overhaul of its town centre as part of the development. Advertisement 8 The centre of Greenock in Inverclyde, Scotland is set to undergo a £22 million restructure development Credit: Alamy 8 The project will see part of the local shopping centre demolished to create an outdoor public space Credit: Inverclyde Council 8 The Oak Mall is set to see 40% of its residential units demolished as part of the redevelopment Credit: Wikimedia Commons Located just a 40 minute drive from Glasgow, Greenock is one of the UK's leading cruise hubs. The Victorian town, which has a population of 41,280, welcomes up to 80 cruise ships each year. Greenock grew from a small fishing village to the site of the first port of the Firth of Clyde in 1711. This development is funded by the government's Levelling Up project and has an estimated completion date of autumn 2026. Advertisement Read More On Seaside Towns A main focus of the project involves improving access to the Greenock's town centre. It will involve the redesigning and lowering of the A78 flyover to ground level to improve access and create better connections to the town centre. The Bullring Roundabout is set to be replaced with a new low-level road and signalised junction to provide improved links to different parts of the town centre. This work will also see the development of new public spaces for the local community. Advertisement Most read in News Travel It will also help modernise local retail space by demolishing the A78 dual carriageway and 40% of the Oak Mall shopping centre, creating a new mall entrance. The Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Hector McNeill House headquarters and the Hunters Place Public Toilets will also be demolished as part of the centre's restructure. The 100-year-old theme park by the beach with one of the world's oldest rollercoasters Demolition of the Oak Mall and Hector McNeill House elements is set to begin before summer, followed by the work to the A78. Construction is set to end by late summer 2026, with project completion scheduled for autumn 2026. Advertisement 'This is a hugely complex project with so many different elements in one of the busiest parts of Inverclyde in terms of traffic," said Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council's convener of environment and regeneration. 'There has been a huge amount of work on the go in the background by council officers working closely with the various partner agencies to get this important Greenock Town Centre regeneration project off the ground. 'There will of course be substantial disruption... but I hope people will continue to share in our vision of making Greenock Town Centre a more attractive and welcoming place to live, work, visit ,and do business." 'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp By Nicole Cherruault A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp. The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers. Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy. Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities. And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners. This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements. The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year. However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas. He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council. 'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre. 'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.' Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community. In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles. He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community. 'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community. 'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.' The town previously saw ground break on a number of regeneration projects, including the construction of a new Ocean Terminal cruise ship visitor centre. Advertisement According to the Last year, Greenock was named among the The town's historic Esplanade, which was first opened in 1867, offers scenic views of the surrounding hills and lochs of the Scottish Highlands as well as the town's existing Victorian architecture. And this mile-long walk will also give you stunning views of the docked cruise ships and you may even spot the town's local dolphin pod. Advertisement For a closer look, visitors can enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour long 8 Visitors to the area can enjoy a boat excursion which offers a close up view of a local pod of dolphins Credit: SWNS 8 Greenock features a wide variety of historic sites, with early settlements dating back as far as 1296 Credit: Alamy From £49.99 per adult, the activity offers you the chance to see the pod of five dolphins, including adult male Lunar, adult female Zuzu and her young calf, as well adult female Bodhi. Advertisement Two-year-old Clyde, named after his beloved home, proves to be a fan favourite with visitors. Visitors can also take in the stunning surroundings on short Film buffs may even spot some locations used for the backdrop of the iconic Braveheart. And the area also has ties to the silver screen, with Line Of Duty's Martin Compston calling the scenic town home. Advertisement The actor and former footballer discussed splitting his time between Nevada and his home town in an interview with the "A warm Vegas night under the stars is lovely but the view we have from the couch in Greenock, where you see these huge cruise ships coming in from all over the world, is also amazing," he said. And if you're not on a shore excursion, you can nab a hotel room in the town for as little as As well as a wide variety of activities, the town also offers a bustling night life, from sports bars and gastro pubs to family-friendly restaurants. Advertisement For a high-end experience, take in the stunning interior of the local Or opt for a more affordable drinking session at the 8 A pod of dolphins can often be spotted in the Firth of Clyde Credit: SWNS 8 Line of Duty star Martin Compston hails from Greenock, spending his time between the Scottish town and Las Vegas Credit: Getty Advertisement 8 Greenock town centre will see a major redevelopment that is set to improve access to the area significantly Credit: Alamy
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Victorian UK seaside town and popular cruise port with its own pod of dolphins set for £22million makeover
A POPULAR seaside town is set to undergo a £22 million upgrade, which will create more public spaces. The Scottish town of Greenock will see a complete overhaul of its town centre as part of the development. 8 8 8 Located just a 40 minute drive from Glasgow, Greenock is one of the UK's leading cruise hubs. The Victorian town, which has a population of 41,280, welcomes up to 80 cruise ships each year. Greenock grew from a small fishing village to the site of the first port of the Firth of Clyde in 1711. This development is funded by the government's Levelling Up project and has an estimated completion date of autumn 2026. A main focus of the project involves improving access to the Greenock's town centre. It will involve the redesigning and lowering of the A78 flyover to ground level to improve access and create better connections to the town centre. The Bullring Roundabout is set to be replaced with a new low-level road and signalised junction to provide improved links to different parts of the town centre. This work will also see the development of new public spaces for the local community. It will also help modernise local retail space by demolishing the A78 dual carriageway and 40% of the Oak Mall shopping centre, creating a new mall entrance. The Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Hector McNeill House headquarters and the Hunters Place Public Toilets will also be demolished as part of the centre's restructure. The 100-year-old theme park by the beach with one of the world's oldest rollercoasters Demolition of the Oak Mall and Hector McNeill House elements is set to begin before summer, followed by the work to the A78. Construction is set to end by late summer 2026, with project completion scheduled for autumn 2026. 'This is a hugely complex project with so many different elements in one of the busiest parts of Inverclyde in terms of traffic," said Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council's convener of environment and regeneration. 'There has been a huge amount of work on the go in the background by council officers working closely with the various partner agencies to get this important Greenock Town Centre regeneration project off the ground. 'There will of course be substantial disruption... but I hope people will continue to share in our vision of making Greenock Town Centre a more attractive and welcoming place to live, work, visit ,and do business." 'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp By Nicole Cherruault A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp. The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the council launches a multi-million pound"vision for change" after locals complained the town felt "left behind". More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers. Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports Manchester Evening News. The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy. Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities. And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners. This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements. The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year. However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas. He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council. 'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre. 'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.' Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community. In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles. He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community. 'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community. 'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.' The town previously saw ground break on a number of regeneration projects, including the construction of a new Ocean Terminal cruise ship visitor centre. According to the Inverclyde Council, the work is designed to make Greenock more attractive, bringing in more visitors, creating new opportunities, and making the town centre more accessible for residents and visitors. Last year, Greenock was named among the top 10 UK seaside towns to visit with your kids. The town's historic Esplanade, which was first opened in 1867, offers scenic views of the surrounding hills and lochs of the Scottish Highlands as well as the town's existing Victorian architecture. And this mile-long walk will also give you stunning views of the docked cruise ships and you may even spot the town's local dolphin pod. For a closer look, visitors can enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour long boat excursion, which includes a free hot drink for colder days. 8 8 From £49.99 per adult, the activity offers you the chance to see the pod of five dolphins, including adult male Lunar, adult female Zuzu and her young calf, as well adult female Bodhi. Two-year-old Clyde, named after his beloved home, proves to be a fan favourite with visitors. Visitors can also take in the stunning surroundings on short day excursions, including Loch Lomond, Inveraray Castle, and Stirling Castle, which was often frequented by the Queen of Scots. Film buffs may even spot some locations used for the backdrop of the iconic Braveheart. And the area also has ties to the silver screen, with Line Of Duty's Martin Compston calling the scenic town home. The actor and former footballer discussed splitting his time between Nevada and his home town in an interview with the BBC. "A warm Vegas night under the stars is lovely but the view we have from the couch in Greenock, where you see these huge cruise ships coming in from all over the world, is also amazing," he said. And if you're not on a shore excursion, you can nab a hotel room in the town for as little as £68 per night. As well as a wide variety of activities, the town also offers a bustling night life, from sports bars and gastro pubs to family-friendly restaurants. For a high-end experience, take in the stunning interior of the local Old Bank Bar. Or opt for a more affordable drinking session at the Tail O' The Bank, which offers stunning waterside views. 8 8
