Why Govan could be city’s next tourist attraction . . .

james73 · Why Govan could be city’s next tourist attraction . . .

IT'S renowned across the world for its shipbuilding heritage and famous figures
from football - but now Govan could become Glasgow's next tourist attraction.

Glasgow City Council plans to create a conservation area in the heart of Govan
which could bring in close to £1million in heritage lottery grants.

The windfall would be used to restore buildings and monuments of special
architectural or historic interest and turn Govan into a mecca for visitors.

At a public meeting in the Pearce Institute tonight, councillors and officials
will explain to residents what conservation status would mean for Govan.

"Govan has a bright future," says Councillor John Flanagan.

"We see Govan as one of Glasgow's most important heritage areas with recent
archaeological excavation having taken place at Water Row (thatched cottages
leading down to a ford to Partick)."

As chairman of the Local Community Planning Partnership Board, Mr Flanagan
is leading the regeneration of Govan and says 2008 is a dawn of a New Govan
with housing developments and refurbishments through council and local housing
association partnerships.

It is long overdue. For many years, the once proud burgh of Govan, where
football manager Sir Alex Ferguson was raised, has been down on her luck.

And yet, the signs that she has seen better days are all around those who
care to look.

Govan was once so grand that it had a Lord Provost and two town halls, and
stretched from Kelvinside to Cathcart before Glasgow took it over in 1912.

But even locals need a reminder of just what an irreplaceable heritage has
been passed down to them.

Mr Flanagan, a Govan man himself, has already reassured angry Govanites
that two of their most important historical landmarks are safe.

Last week in the Evening Times, retired businessman and former chairman
of Govan Initiative John McLaughlin, locally known as The Chairman, suggested
the Pearce Institute and Govan Old Parish Church, both Victorian buildings, should
be demolished to 'open up the centre of Govan'.

Mr Flanagan dismissed the idea as "outrageous."

He says: "Residents are working very hard to preserve the Pearce Institute
and Govan Old Parish Church.

"The Pearce Institute is an A-listed building and very valuable. It is a vital
part of Govan and plays a central role in supporting the local community."

Mr Flanagan points out the building was gifted to the people of Govan by the
widow of Govan's first MP, Sir William Pearce, as a community facility.

James H

poodiecat

Suggesting to demolish the Pearce Institute and the Old Parish Church????
What the ....

Anyways, had this link bookmarked for a while now, quite interesting but not sure if out of date.

http://www.govanworkspace.co.uk/Bulletin.pdf

james73

£3.6m plan to make Govan a ‘retail mecca’

GOVAN could one day boast a street of shops to rival the Merchant City, a
public meeting in Govan's Pearce Institute has heard.

Over 60 local people were told that if Govan gained conservation status, it
would then be in line for around £3.6 million in funding over several years,
which could transform the town centre into a stylish shopping mecca and
tourism magnet.

Much of the Merchant City has been reborn in recent years with stylish firms
moving into old buildings, which have retained their unique frontages.

At last night's meeting it was claimed conservation status would allow new
firms to be eligible for grants to encourage them to move in.

As revealed by the Evening Times last night, a £1m campaign is being launched
to breath new life into the area.

"The attitude is that Govan is a dump," said Govan man, Councillor John Flanagan
at the meeting.

"Govan is not a dump. It is a great community and we need to rally round
and make sure Govan gets what it deserves."

Derek Neilson, 75, Govan born and bred and chairman of East Govan Community
Council, said: "I move we get this approved as quickly as possible so we can
get on with improving Govan. This is long overdue."

James H