A £1.4 million funding boost aims to help transform a historic West Lothian building into a new heritage attraction and community space.
West Lothian Council and West Calder and Harburn Community Development Trust (WCHCDT) are pleased to announce funding from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) towards the delivery of the £4.26 million Scottish Co-operative Discovery & Activity Centre in West Calder.
The WCHCDT led project aims to transform the derelict former Co-operative Bakery in West Calder into a hub for local economic development, local community cohesion, resilience, celebration, place making and community wealth building.
The completed centre will be home to a heritage attraction and museum on the Co-operative movement in Scotland, as well as spaces for community, training and wellbeing services, creating 22 new jobs and 150 annual training opportunities targeted at the most disadvantaged.
This project was supported in the development of plans and in applying for funding by the West Lothian Business Gateway Team.
Executive councillor for economy, community empowerment and wealth building Kirsteen Sullivan said: "The Scottish Co-operative Discovery & Activity Centre will be a huge asset for West Lothian and Scotland as a whole.
"This funding is an important step forward towards the delivery of the centre, which will create a real focal point for training, economic regeneration and the local community.
"I look forward to seeing the iconic Co-op bakery building brought back into active use, for the benefit of the local community once more."
Gavin Henderson, Chair of WCHCDT, said "This project has been created and developed by our local community and this is a massive boost. We are delighted. The Centre will help deliver on a wide range of issues that are important to our community and we look forward to delivering it."
The RCGF is a Scottish Government scheme delivered in partnership with COSLA and local authorities, to help community-based initiatives and create and support jobs and training places.