The Council successfully secured £19.9m from the first round of the UK Government Levelling Up Fund in 2021 to overhaul Dumbarton Town Centre and deliver three key projects in the town:
The Artizan Shopping Centre was purchased by the Council in March 2022. This presents a unique and exciting opportunity to redefine the town centre, consolidate retail and introduce new uses. The historic vacant Glencairn House building will be refurbished and transformed into a state of the art library, museum and community facility. Connecting Dumbarton will improve the historic connection between the railway station and the High Street and provide a clear link to the town centre.
The three integrated projects will reinforce the link between the railway station, High Street and the riverfront and form part of a wider long term “Railway to Rock” connectivity aspirations. The interventions are aimed at increasing the number of people living, working and spending leisure time in the town centre throughout the day and into the evening and attracting new and different businesses and uses to the town centre.
Levelling Up is a UK government policy to reduce inequality based on where people live. It is being delivered via the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) which invests in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and investing in cultural and heritage assets. It aims to address weakness in the local economy, providing a long-term benefit to towns and the local community.
The Council’s LUF application can be viewed here: LUF application submitted by the Council.