Discover Lanark receives grant to move regeneration projects forward

Exciting plans are being developed to improve the provision of public outdoor space in Lanark.

A public consultation undertaken by Discover Lanark in spring 2022 has revealed overwhelming support for two potential projects. Over 93% of respondents supported the idea of improvements to the public area on High Street outside the Tolbooth, and 82% supported the idea of improvements and the permanent pedestrianisation of Hyndford Place to enable year-round activity. Fewer than 10% of respondents rated the town centre’s existing outside pubic space as good or very good.

The public consultation took the form of a drop-in exhibition in the Tolbooth, an online survey with over 530 respondents and a public forum event, as well as a presentation to the Royal Burgh of Lanark Community Council.

Discover Lanark has made a successful application to South Lanarkshire Council’s Place Based Investment Capital Projects Programme to deliver a scheme for the area outside the Tolbooth before summer 2023 and to further investigate the Hyndford Place project.

Antonia Pompa, Discover Lanark Manager, said “The response from the public to our proposals has been very positive and we are delighted to be in a position to enhance the High Street with improved seating, event space and heritage interpretation. The Place Based Investment Programme is specifically for capital projects in towns and presented an ideal opportunity to help deliver the local people’s aspirations for better and more versatile outdoor space.”

She added, “We will be working with landscape architects Ironside Farrar on the project and want to involve affected businesses and other parties, as well as interested members of the public, at all stages.”

The proposal to improve public space in Lanark town centre developed considerable momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic when Discover Lanark delivered a range of temporary seating projects and outdoor events including The Space @ Hyndford Place, Jurassic Lanark and Lanark Winter Wonderland.