Largs group secure £93k of funding to transform town

North Ayrshire Council's cabinet rubber-stamped the spend at a meeting at Cunninghame House in Irvine on Tuesday, October 29.

The Largs Development Trust is currently in the process of becoming a Scottish charitable incorporated organisation.

Its membership includes individuals who are part of Largs Community Council, Largs First Responders, Largs Thistle Community Club, Green Futures, the Visit Largs group and other locals who are interested in promoting the area for the benefit of its inhabitants.

The group are requesting funding to develop a community space and services within a town centre retail unit.

The planned community space, which will be called 'The Space' in Boyd Street, will provide a physical site for community activities and vital advice services during the cost of living crisis.

It will also provide credit union services, as well as host and operate a community radio station.

The Space will help signpost other important services such as debt advice and Women’s Aid, as well as the opportunity to hire meeting rooms or desk space.

Heather Meldrum, of the Trust, says that it is a grass-roots initiative led by residents of the town "hoping to make positive changes which will leave a lasting impact".

Heather Meldrum and Alan Hill revealed proposal for The Space earlier this year (Image: Newsquest)

The funding application stated: "Overall it will offer a physical space where community members can come together to connect, share resources, collaborate on projects, and engage on projects that will benefit the community as a whole."

In addition, the funding requested would support the installation of a set of custom-made, double-width removable steps in the Largs Vikingar pool.

At present, those who cannot access the pool using its existing pool ladders have to travel around an hour to the nearest accessible pool, or use an 'Oxford Dipper' system which requires staff to operate and takes around 20 minutes to enter the pool.

The new removable pool steps would offer a more dignified and independent way for people with disabilities to enter the pool.

The funding would be used for set-up and three years of operating costs for The Space and the community radio station, as well as the cost of purchasing the pool steps.

The trust has carried out engagement with local groups and potential partners who would make use of The Space, and the intention is to engage further with the community to shape the programme of services offered to them.

Councillor Alan Hill said: "“I am over the moon that we have managed to secure the funding to start this project.
"In terms of the Cost of Living crisis, almost every department of the council is helping at some level as are our partners in the health board and KA Leisure. The work which has been done to help local people is immense. At the same time however it is a tragedy that such efforts require to be made in 2024. The UK is one of the world's richest countries and yet so many of our people are living in abject poverty.
"The Citizens Advice service which previously operated from this building has been sorely missed over the years. We are looking forward to being able to work with Citizens Advice Scotland as well as the council's excellent Money Matters teams to deliver a service to the people of this area from the Space.
"I would like also to pay special tribute to Heather Meldrum. Without Heather’s input this project would never have gotten off of the ground and she has provided inspirational leadership in taking this forward. I would also like to thank our Treasurer Alex Rhind who has also helped on this project.”
"The aim now is to get the lease completed and the refit of the building started with a view to having the Space open before the turn of the year."

Heather Meldrum continued,“I am so excited to see this vision start to become a reality.

"We have already been contacted by a number of individuals who have offered to work from the advice centre. Some of whom worked in the old Citizens Advice, with others having either relevant experience in this field or simply a willingness to help their fellow citizens.

"We still require other supporters to come forward and offer some of their free time and anyone who is interested in helping should contact us on hello@thespace.scot"