15 August 2006
For Immediate Release
Redevelopment For Grangemouth Town Centre
Grangemouth town centre could be in for a £22m investment package following a meeting of Falkirk Council’s Policy and Resources Committee today (Tuesday).
Initial plans put forward by Falkirk Council and two other major landowners in the town centre have outlined a masterplan that, if adopted, could see a significant change to the town centre environment.
Cllr David Alexander explained: ‘Like our other town centres, we believe Grangemouth has the potential to become a significant retail centre but we recognise that this can only depend on the support of private sector investment in the fabric of the town.
‘We are successfully transforming our other town centres through the My Falkirk’s In Future economic regeneration initiative and Grangemouth is in a prime position to be transformed.
‘Our plans centre around a renewed shopping environment as well as improved Council and other public facilities and we fully recognise that the current layout of the main shopping precinct simply can’t offer the market the right conditions for economic growth and inhibits expansion of existing premises.
‘We believe that this approach can work and deliver an acceptable and attractive town centre that can potentially deliver new jobs for Grangemouth and boost existing businesses.
‘The proposals will go out public consultation in the near future and the residents and retailers in Grangemouth will be able to put forward their views.
‘These are the initial ideas and if accepted, could improve the whole environment in Grangemouth town centre for the benefit of the community.’
In addition to the radical alteration to the retail provision in the town centre (and associated car parking) the plans include a new civic building to replace the existing one stop shop; area housing office and museum. The town’s Municipal Chambers and library will be retained in any re-development plans.
Existing landowners Cabri III/Winex Services and Baronsgate Estates have been approved as the preferred developer and they will form a joint venture company in association with Falkirk Council.
The outcome of the public consultation will be brought back to future Council meetings for consideration.
Ends
Notes to editors
My Future’s In Falkirk is an innovative 10 year regeneration initiative which has started to create up to 4250 jobs, stimulate up to £200m of additional investment, attract a diverse range of businesses to the area and generate up to £50m a year for the Falkirk economy. It is transforming Falkirk and the surrounding area into a thriving, diverse modern economy that attracts businesses and visitors into the area and provides jobs for local people.
Projects within My Future’s In Falkirk fall into four key themes; developing new technologies, creating capacity for business growth, exploiting physical and digital connections to the world and living, working and visiting Falkirk.
The £23m initiative (originally referred to as the Falkirk Action Plan) was launched in December 2002 by a partnership of Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, BP and Falkirk Council with support from the European Regional Development Fund.