£3m plan to regenerate town's historic centre

Published on Thursday 15 November 2007 00:35

A £3 MILLION scheme to restore the historic heart of Brechin was launched yesterday.

The project will focus on bringing several buildings in the centre of the town back into use. They include the extension of the Brechin Town House Museum, the A-listed Merchant's House in the High Street, and some early 19th-century buildings opposite the museum.

The scheme is being funded by Angus Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Historic Scotland.

A spokeswoman for the local authority said: "The buildings, which will be restored by awarding grant aid to owners, are all in the centre of Brechin and are either causing blight, or are in need of repair or re-use.

"There will also be some funding for upgrading public areas such as the closes, for small repairs to the exterior of traditional buildings and for training in traditional skills."

Leslie Melville, the Provost of Angus, said it was a "momentous" scheme for the town, adding: "The launch of the townscape heritage initiative will transform some of the most important historic buildings in Brechin and Angus, and provide a boost to Brechin's regeneration and economic growth.

"Restoring and upgrading Brechin's town-centre environment will enhance greatly the town's image, which will in turn help to raise the spirits of Brechiners and attract new jobs and investment."

Colin McLean, the HLF's manager for Scotland, said: "I am sure this is the first step to a brighter future for Brechin."