Haymarket development gets £9.6m funding boost

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and David Westwater, Development Director of Interserve Developments, at the Haymarket site. Picture: Contributed

A MAJOR development near Haymarket train station in Edinburgh is to benefit from a £9.6 million investment from a Scottish Government fund.

The money will fund initial work at the site of The Haymarket, a £200 million office, hotel and retail project in the capital’s west end.

Developers Interserve and Tiger Developments estimate up to 3,500 jobs could be created through the venture on derelict land next to Haymarket railway station.

The investment comes from the SPRUCE (Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres) fund, which has been established with Scottish Government and European Regional Development Fund money.

It will go towards preparatory work at the four-acre site, including the strengthening of two railway tunnels and archaeological excavations.

Announcing the investment during a visit to the site, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Haymarket is one of the biggest commercial property projects to take place in Edinburgh and will substantially regenerate this part of the capital, transforming derelict land and creating thousands of jobs and opportunities for growth.

“The Scottish Government’s investment through the SPRUCE fund has acted as a catalyst for the regeneration of this site. Without this investment crucial remedial work could not go ahead.

“Once complete, this fantastic multi-purpose site will provide much needed, high-spec office and retail space for the city as well as a new hotel for visitors. This will allow Edinburgh to continue to compete effectively with other large cities - and help to attract companies from across the globe.”

David Westwater, Interserve development director, said: “We are delighted that work has begun on site to prepare for construction above ground and the Scottish Government’s welcome contribution has been pivotal in helping the development to progress.

“Its support underlines that this is one of the most significant regeneration schemes in the UK outside of London and that is further reflected in the very strong interest shown by the business community already.”