The West Calder and Harburn Community Development Trust (WCHCDT) led project aims to transform the derelict former Co-operative Bakery in West Calder into a hub for local economic development, local community cohesion, resilience, celebration, place making and community wealth building.
The completed centre will be home to a heritage attraction and interactive exhibition on the Co-operative movement in Scotland, as well as spaces for community, training and wellbeing services, creating 22 new jobs and 150 annual training opportunities targeted at the most disadvantaged.
West Lothian Council have supported the efforts of the WCHCDT helping them with funding applications as well as continued input from the Museums service to ensure the historic element of the local co-operative movement is full captured including borrowing collections for display in the new centre.
To date funding has been secured to enable the capital and construction phase of the project from the Place Based Investment Funding, Regeneration Capital grant funding from Scottish Government, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, UK Government Community Ownership Fund and a range of smaller trusts and charities. This is underpinned by local windfarm community benefits and a local community share scheme.
With construction now reaching the half-way milestone, the project team have invited partners to get a glimpse of progress being made.
West Lothian Council Executive Councillor for Economy, Community Empowerment & Wealth Building, Susan Manion joined West Lothian Council Community Wealth Building Manager Clare Stewart on a tour around the site.
Councillor Manion said: "The project builds on a proud local history to create a new national attraction with local roots. The areas co-operative heritage will be a catalyst for improving community wellbeing, inclusion and opportunity locally and celebrating and sharing the history and future potential of the co-operative model.
It's exciting to see it all taking shape and I'm sure the tremendous efforts of WCHCDT and partners will be rewarded with a fantastic venue and destination that will be enjoyed by many."
Trust Manager Matt Pearce said "We are delighted to be able to show progress to date. We are well on the way to delivering our vision. The support we have received from West Lothian Council has been and continues to be critical to the project's success. We are now focussed on delivering the exciting exhibition element."
For more on the Scottish Co-operative Discovery Centre follow the project Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ScottishCooperativeDiscoveryCentre
