Take a Bow and New Cumnock Re-use Hub projects get next stage backing in excess of £2m

New Cumnock’s Re-Use Hub and New Farm Loch’s Take a Bow Opportunity Centre, in Kilmarnock, took major forward steps in their development this week- with grant funding in excess of more than £2m.

For East Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet has approved continued support from their Stage 2 Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) applications for 2023/24.

Elected members heard how, following close scrutiny and due diligence inspections, both projects were successful in achieving grant funding from the RCGF- which has been run by East Ayrshire Council in partnership with the Scottish Government and COSLA since 2014.

It supports locally developed place-based regeneration projects to tackle inequalities and promote inclusive growth in deprived, disadvantaged and fragile remote communities throughout Scotland.

For Take a Bow– which has already breathed new life into the former New Farm Loch Community Centre, the £1,341,615 grant will allow them to progress the building refurbishment and set up of their new Opportunity Centre.

This will bring new work and lifestyle opportunities to the local community and its facilities and build on their existing work while improving the energy efficiency of the venue.

In New Cumnock, the Re-use Hub gained £1,800,000 towards establishing a sustainable, eco-friendly social enterprise using traditional and new skills to repurpose, recycle and mend items for the pre-loved market.

This will create jobs, community engagement and a ground-breaking learning environment to boost local wellbeing and community wealth building.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, East Ayrshire Council, said: “This is a great example of community-led regeneration in action.
“Local people coming together to decide what’s needed in their area, organising and setting up community enterprises with our help and that of other local and national bodies.

“Working together, and achieving funding from numerous sources they’re providing sustainable, life changing and local solutions to help their communities gain skills, enrichment, confidence and opportunities in their own areas.

“We know that our communities can act as powerful catalysts for positive change and these two projects are an example of how that works in action and we are grateful to the individuals involved for all their efforts.

“We’re all looking forward to see these projects take shape and will continue to work with the organisations to help make sure they succeed.”