Kirkintilloch contracts going to tender

By Carolyn Wilson

Major construction contracts for new canalside developments in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, will go to tender in the next couple of months. They are expected to create 1,000 jobs.

One contract is for the town's proposed arts and culture centre after the project received a £1.7m grant from the Scottish Arts Council. It hopes to see the project finished by 2011.

Another is for the development of a six-storey block of flats, in the now lucrative area behind the town's 44-berth marina.

Duncan Hamilton, project director for development scheme the Kirkintilloch Initiative (KI), said: "These canalside flats will be at the top end of the market. Businesses are starting to see that sites next to the £2m marina are key areas for development."

Sandra Adams, KI project organiser, said: "Although we are not in a good economic climate there are still new pockets of business that we can tap into."

KI is also looking for a marketing company to promote the redevelopment. The canal, which runs through central Kirkintilloch, has previously been promoted as "the tool for business, in a town of two halves."

The town’s continued growth is largely due to a £56m investment in 2007. This was secured by Lottery grants and by selling land owned by the NHS and East Dunbartonshire Council.

Canalside projects have boosted business in Kirkintilloch by 75 per cent during the last two years. Eleven projects, including two new canalside schools, are scheduled for completion by 2015.