Revitalising the River Clyde

A scheme to expand and transform one of Scotland’s busiest arts venues into a greener, year-round cultural destination is among the projects being supported by the Clyde Mission Fund.

Over £11 million has been awarded in capital grants to 12 projects that will create jobs and benefit communities along the River Clyde. This is part of the economic stimulus funding to support economic recovery from the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The SWG3 multi-discipline arts venue in Glasgow will receive £1.85 million towards its plans to redevelop vacant and derelict land around the perimeter of its site into workspaces for artists and creative businesses as well as a community garden and growing space. Plans also include a new thoroughfare that links the site to regeneration routes through Govan, Partick, Finnieston and Yorkhill.

Other successful applications include a new work and education space in Dunoon, installation of a low carbon heating system to support the redevelopment of the community owned Govan Old Church, and enabling works for the development of the Scottish Marine Technology Park (SMTP) in West Dunbartonshire.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:

“These projects will create hundreds of jobs, benefit places and communities, contribute towards achieving Scotland’s environmental ambitions and help support economic recovery.

“Importantly, they will capitalise on the unique opportunities and competitive advantage of the river and its immediate surroundings as we work with our partners to build a stronger, fairer, greener Clydeside.

“This is key to the Clyde Mission’s goals of making the Clyde an engine of inclusive and sustainable growth for the city of Glasgow, the region and for Scotland.”

Andrew Fleming Brown, Founder and Director of SWG3, said:

"This grant will enable us to deliver an ambitious transformation programme for the area around and leading into SWG3. From a new creative thoroughfare with public art and improved lighting on Eastvale Place, to opening up access to a new community garden and growing space, the grant will help us to dramatically improve this vibrant corner of the city for local people and visitors to discover.”

John MacSween, Chief Executive of the Malin Group, which is behind the Scottish Marine Technology Park development, said:

“We are delighted at the support the park has received in this latest step . We are excited about the potential that the Marine Technology Park offers Scotland’s marine industry, as well as for local residents and the wider economy.

“Once complete, the SMTP will offer new, previously unimagined, roles to local residents, whilst also attracting new organisations and sustainable green work to the Clyde to create a thriving, inclusive and progressive working community.”

Background

The Clyde Mission covers the area either side of the river from the tidal reach of the Clyde near Clyde Gateway in the east of Glasgow through to the opening of the river between Gourock and Dunoon.

The Clyde Mission is led by the Scottish Government in partnership with local authorities (Glasgow City, South Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire, Argyll & Bute and Renfrewshire), Clyde Gateway, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Transport Scotland, the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde.

Full list of funded projects

Project proposal	Total grant
SWG3 Masterplan – Social Infrastructure Works	£1,850,000
Clyde Gateway URC – Regeneration Route	£1,200,000
Govan Heritage Trust - Renewable Energy	£463,000
Glasgow City Council - Water Row, Govan – Enabling Works	£1,980,000
West Dunbartonshire Council - Scottish Marine Technology Park – Enabling Works	£1,980,000
Argyll & Bute Council - Dunoon Rural STEM Hub	£490,000
Inverclyde Council - Inchgreen Marine Project – Platers Shed	£1,360,000
Clyde Cycle Park – Active Travel	£145,000
Cemineral Ltd - Project Supergrade Scotland Ltd.	£179,000
Govan Riverside Town	£200,000
Stobcross Crane Regeneration	£452,000
Renfrewshire Active Travel Route	£935,000

It is anticipated that these projects will support the creation of 386 jobs in the short term, and more than 500 jobs and at least 29 apprenticeships in the longer term. It is estimated that the projects will also support 381 existing jobs and unlock additional investment of over £14.5 million.