New Cumnock Development Trust (NCDT) have announced that they are buying one of the vacant buildings in New Cumnock – thanks to funding.
The group will purchase the former Trotters building with help from The National Lottery Scottish Land Fund.
The scheme allows community groups from across the country to invest in their local area, with the NCDT keen to secure the funding, after hearing that the empty buildings in New Cumnock were one of the main issues people thought about in the area.
NCDT will receive £24,750 to purchase the former Trotters building, a semi-derelict shop in New Cumnock and turn it into a re-use and repair hub, with new training and apprenticeships opportunities.
Sheena Boyd, business development Manager for NCDT, is thrilled to secure the cash boost and be able to work on some of the issues brought up by the locals.
She said: “We were delighted to get the funding because the vacant buildings in the area area always some of the issues brought up when we speak to people.
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“The plan is to use it as re-use and repair hub as pat of our ReNew Cumnock project.
“I think it will be amazing for the area because when you drive along the main road and see the empty buildings, I think that can paint an unfair picture as to what New Cumnock is like.
“I think by starting to change that it can change a lot about the village.
⭐️ NCDT are delighted to announce that thanks to The National Lottery Scottish Land Fund we have been able to purchase...
Posted by New Cumnock Development Trust on Thursday, 24 March 2022
“When we heard about the funding, we went to the owner of the building about the opportunity to purchase and they were more than happy to sell it, so here we are.
“There’s no knowing how long the actual process will take. I’d say we’re about halfway through where we want to be along the road.
“I think maybe throwing a figure out there that it could be around three years, all going well, for the project to be completed.
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“But when people start seeing a plan moving forward, it gives them that sense that things are being done and we’re always looking at how we can improve the community.”
Susan Kerr, Board of Trustees chair at New Cumnock Development Trust, added: “This building has been empty, boarded up and in poor condition for a long time, it’s really been an eyesore in the centre of our village.”
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