Ambitious plans to create a new cultural quarter in Peterhead and a revamp of Macduff Aquarium have received a £20million funding boost today.
However, there is further disappointment in Aberdeen after a £20million funding bid to help support the regeneration of the beach area was rejected.
The bid by Aberdeenshire Council is one of 10 projects across Scotland to receive levelling up funding from the UK Government.
The money will be used to transform the disused Arbuthnot House in Peterhead into a new destination museum, library and cultural hub.
The remainder will be spent on a significant expansion and revamp of the popular aquarium at Macduff.
Transformation for Peterhead and Macduff
In Peterhead, the money will be used to restore Arbuthnot House, alongside a new extension for a library and a new regional museum aiming to showcase Aberdeenshire’s historic collections.
A new cafe or restaurant would be built with views of the harbour, overlooking a new public plaza created in Broad Street, featuring green space.
The existing Arbuthnot Museum and Library building on the town’s St Peter Street would be restored and converted into a new cultural venue with a live entertainment space and dance/music studios on the upper floor.
Under the proposals for Macduff Aquarium, the existing site would be modernised to include expanded exhibits and enhanced facilities.
A two-storey extension would take advantage of coastal views and include a new cafe-restaurant, education suite and community space.
Reaction
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid said the money will help to “maximise the potential” of the area and bring forward investment that will “benefit communities for years to come”.
He added: “Direct investment of this scale from the UK Government is excellent news and there will be further opportunities for other areas across the north-east to prosper from this transformational Levelling Up Scheme in the future.”
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, who was brought up in Aberdeen, said the cash will “revitalise communities that have historically been overlooked but are bursting with potential”.
He added: “This new funding will create jobs, drive economic growth, and help to restore local pride.”
Concern for Aberdeen
The snub for Aberdeen comes just days after the region's Green Freeport bid, which would have created 32,000 jobs, was rejected by the Scottish and UK governments.
Ryan Crighton, Policy Director at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is great news for Peterhead and Macduff and we welcome the decision to invest in what will be transformational projects for our coastal Aberdeenshire towns.
“However, once again, the UK Government is taking an ABBA (anywhere but bl**dy Aberdeen) approach to its investment programme.
“The Treasury is now raking in £2.1billion per month from North Sea oil and gas following the imposition of the windfall tax – so the suggestion that it is unable to find £20million to support the redevelopment of Aberdeen Beach is embarrassing.
“When did the government’s levelling up agenda turn into a programme to level down Aberdeen? The city is looking for answers following the rejection of its Green Freeport bid, because warm words about investment mean absolutely nothing without action.”