Event will celebrate Penicuik's regeneration projects

The Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project (PHRP) is holding a celebration event in Penicuik Town Hall on Saturday 14 December at 10am. The event is to thank funders, partners and other local organisations and individuals who have helped to make the project a success over the last six years.

Ambitious project

The aim of the project was to assist with the historic regeneration of the town centre through the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Townscape Heritage grant and Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme grant.  Midlothian Council successfully applied for these grant schemes and added to the funding.  Local community organisations supported the initiative with help in kind i.e. volunteering and providing local expertise.

Started in 2018

The scheme started in 2018 with a total fund of £3.4m (including historic building owners’ contribution to the grant scheme).  This was increased over the years to £5.1m with additional funding from the NLHF and HES and Scottish Government funding through their Town Centre Capital Fund and Place Based Investment Fund.

Key highlights

The main achievements have been:

• 28 historic building grants have been awarded and 2 vacant buildings have been brought back into use with 4 flats and 2 retail/commercial units.
• 20 shop front improvement grants awarded.
• 3 phases of public realm (street improvement works) have been implemented.
• 60 plus community engagement, training and education initiatives have been delivered.

Buildings restored

Chair of the PHRP Team Provost Debbi McCall says: “I am very pleased that we have been able to achieve so much in Penicuik over the life of the project.  Some highlights for me have been the restoration of some key historic buildings in the town, for example the Town Hall, the Pen-y-Coe Press, and the Pilkington Buildings in Bridge Street, designed by the famous Victorian architect Frederick Pilkington. All these buildings have fascinating histories attached to them illustrating the architectural and social development of the town. 

Shopfronts improved

“In terms of shop fronts, The Storehouse frontage at 22 High Street has been transformed as have adjoining shop frontages and some in The Square including the old Buttercup Dairy where original glazed tiles were found in the shop and restored as part of the improvement work.”

Welcoming spaces

The Provost went on to say the public realm work has significantly enhanced the character of the High Street, making it safer and more comfortable for pedestrians while the area in front of the Town Hall is now more welcoming to visitors. 

Community involvement

She adds: “The community engagement, education and training programme has involved so many local organisations, schools and community groups.  Some of the highlights include the traditional construction skills training sessions where over 100 pupils were able to have hands on experience with stone masonry, roofing, joinery and sign writing.  Our training provider Craig Frew Conservation and Edinburgh College did a great job.  I really enjoyed the pop-up event organised over 3 days giving children and families the space and freedom to design, build and play as they like with real tools using scrap timber, pallets, canvas and rope.”

Heritage trail

Other successes including the restoration of the Hearse House and the development of the Heritage Trail, a project involving volunteers and local community groups researching and interpreting the local history and heritage of the town.

Build on this success

The Provost says: “So much has been achieved and it is now important that we build on this and continue to improve and enhance the character of the town making it an attractive and interesting place for residents and visitors.”

Note to Editors

The Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project is a 6-year scheme aimed at regenerating the historic core of Penicuik through historic building grants, shop front improvements, public realm improvements and an extensive education, training and engagement programme.  It is funded by Midlothian Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and is supported by Penicuik Community Development Trust and Penicuik and District Community Council, Penicuik Arts Association, The Penicuik Alliance and the Penicuik Historical Society.