Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street is to benefit from a share of a £200million national lottery fund targeted at preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
The money will come in the form of a 10-year ‘sustained investment’ delivered through the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s new ‘Heritage Places’ initiative.
That initiative was founded to provide early funding to ‘engage communities and develop partnerships’ to unlock the potential of local heritage, looking for opportunities to draw in wider investment for new projects and collaborations encouraging regeneration, sustainability and employment.
“Glasgow stands as a national cultural hub and an epicentre for international talent, known for its rich history in performing arts, architectural treasures and cultural contributions,” said the NLHF.
“With the help of the funding from NLHF, Glasgow aims to secure the future of the iconic Sauchiehall Street by focusing on its strong physical and cultural heritage to connect with contemporary audiences and future proof its buildings.”
Fund director for Scotland, Caroline Clark, said: “In Glasgow our support over the decades for heritage-driven regeneration in Govan, Parkhead Cross and Merchant City has had a huge impact. It has delivered improvements in the built and natural environment, and in well-being for local people.
“Investing in people and their history and ensuring they are an active part in guiding regeneration and celebrating the heritage of the place they live builds a stronger and more resilient community. We see the benefits of long-term commitment to making sustainable change happen.”
Chair of the NLHF Scotland Committee, Ray Macfarlane, added: “With Sauchiehall Street as our first Heritage Places area in Scotland there’s a great opportunity for the Heritage Fund to bring our people and place focus to the wider regeneration plans for Glasgow city centre. Ensuring the combined impact of investment over time is truly transformative.
“We hope the impact of this and other successful projects on communities and places will continue to inspire more applications for funding of heritage projects across Scotland.”
Chief Executive of Glasgow Life, Susan Deighan, commented: “Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council are working closely with the National Lottery Heritage Fund to explore how cultural organisations and the community in and around Sauchiehall Street will be at the heart of shaping the long-term vision for the area. So many of Glasgow’s best known and best loved cultural institutions are already based in this part of the city and the organisations and communities there will play an active role in developing this exciting partnership – we look forward to working together over the next 10 years to transform how people live, visit and experience culture in and around Sauchiehall Street.”
