Stromness town centre regeneration project wins award

December 6, 2013 at 10:06 am

James Stockan and Miriam Friar receiving the SURF award from Margaret Burgess MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Housing and Welfare. — James Stockan and Miriam Friar receiving the SURF award from Margaret Burgess MSP, Scottish Government minister for housing and welfare.

The Stromness Townscape Heritage Initiative has won a national regeneration award for its five-year project to enhance the historic centre of Stromness.

The project developed by Orkney Islands Council took first place in its category – Town Centre Regeneration – at the 2013 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration. It was one of only three to be shortlisted from over fifty applications.

Chairman of the OIC’s development and infrastructure committee, Councillor James Stockan, said: “This award by a nationwide, independent industry network speaks volumes about the quality, reputation and success of the THI.

“I congratulate the whole community for engaging with us on this challenging but revitalising project – along with all the staff involved in making it happen.”

The Stromness THI has been under way in the Stromness Conservation Area since July 2009, and will finish in June 2014. The original £3.56 million of THI funding has secured a total project investment value of £6.25 million of public and private funding for Stromness.