Town centre set for £2.5m regeneration

A MULTI-MILLION pound project to regenerate Dalkeith Town Centre has been launched.

The Dalkeith Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) will see 2.5 million provided over five years to improve the area.

The project will include grants to property owners and local businesses for building work, beginning with renovation of the buildings at 1-3 Musselburgh Road.

The work will give young people and apprentices the chance to learn traditional building skills, such as rebuilding stone walls and roof restoration.

It is a partnership between the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland and Midlothian Council.

Alex Bennett, chairman of Dalkeith Business Renewal, is also backing the project.

He said: "I am very pleased that we are now launching the initiative, which will be a great boost for Dalkeith.

"A major element of the scheme is to increase education and training in building skills that will assist in improving historic buildings."