Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) is helping to restore the B Listed Garrison House in Millport.

An award in excess of £427,000 from AIE will go towards the £4.1m redevelopment of the derelict property on Millport's seafront, which has lain empty for five years and was severely damaged by fire in 2001.

Built in 1745 and enlarged in 1819, Garrison House is regarded as an excellent example of early 19th century gothic battlement architecture.  The property is owned by Cumbrae Properties (1963) Ltd (Marquis of Bute) and has been leased to the local authority since 1947.

In 1975 a new 99 year lease was granted to the former Cunninghame District Council - now North Ayrshire Council - for use as a centre for local authority service provision on the island but the Council closed the building in 1997 due to the severe deterioration in its condition.

A local steering group, with support from AIE and the Council, was established in 1998 to look at ways of restoring the building to its former glory.  Jura Consultants were commissioned to progress proposals, prepare a feasibility study and then put forward an application for Heritage Lottery funding.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has granted a stage one pass and the project is now progressing towards completion of stage two.  One essential condition of a stage two pass is that Cumbrae Community Development Company Ltd takes ownership of the property from Bute Estates or alternatively, secures a long-term lease.

When the project has been successfully completed, it will accommodate various organisations including North Ayrshire Council, Argyll College and Cunninghame Housing Association.  There will also be a crèche and café and other rooms will be available for community groups and organisations to use.

Chairman of Cumbrae Community Development Company is Jim Hamilton.  He welcomed the support of AIE saying: "Since the decision to go forward with this project was taken, the steering group and local community have welcomed the continuing assistance and support of AIE which has been invaluable."
 
As well as benefiting the entire community, the redevelopment of Garrison House presents young local people with some interesting training opportunities including construction, masonry, horticultural skills and heritage management skills.

Chief executive at AIE Ken Abernethy said: "We are delighted to be supporting the redevelopment of Garrison House.  It has taken a very long time for us to get to this stage but the end results will bring many benefits to the Millport community.

"The project is providing valuable training opportunities for local people, it is bringing a redundant building back into use for the benefit of the community and the redevelopment of Garrison House will also help boost Cumbrae's tourism industry."