Conversion work starts on Heart of Hawick project
Wednesday, August 10 2005
The Heart of Hawick project took a significant step forward this week, with the start of work to refurbish and fit out the Tower Mill and Heritage Hub buildings in the town centre.
Both sites are key elements in the project and will transform disused industrial and commercial buildings in Hawick into successful visitor attractions for the Scottish Borders.
Tower Mill will become a civic arts space, with a cinema/theatre, visitor information centre, café-bar, shop, exhibition area, workshop units and an Information & Computer Technology suite.
The Heritage Hub, in the former Corn Exchange building, will incorporate a family history and genealogy centre (holding the regional archive) and Registrar's Office.
The refurbishment is being carried out by GHI Contracts Ltd of Bellshill, Lanarkshire, the company that refurbished the Ettrick Riverside building in Selkirk.
GHI was selected from a shortlist for the Heart of Hawick contract, following a four-stage, Europe-wide tendering process that lasted 208 days.
The new developments are expected to act as a magnet for local residents and tourists, creating some 70 jobs and generating income for the local economy.
Both buildings will include striking modern architectural features to compliment their traditional stonework. Tower Mill, for instance, will include a two-storey glass entrance and a glass terrace overlooking the River Teviot.
The Heart of Hawick project includes the construction of a metal footbridge across the River Teviot in the town centre and the refurbishment of Drumlanrig's Tower. The project, which will cost around £7.7 million, is being funded by Scottish Borders Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and European Regional Development Fund.
Tower Mill has a large waterwheel in the basement, which was driven from by a mill lade running beneath the building. When Tower Mill is finished, the wheel will be displayed under a floor of glass. It is hoped that the wheel might one day be returned to operation, perhaps even generating enough power to light the building.
The new footbridge, which is likely to be named after the local poet and songwriter James Thomson, is being made by TA Kirkpatrick, a company based near Lockerbie. The main section is expected to be delivered in mid-August. An all-terrain, telescopic, 500-tonne crane will be used to lift the bridge into place. A statue of James Thomson is being cast to stand near the bridge.
Launching the start of refurbishment work at a media briefing in Hawick yesterday (August 9), Councillor Val Robson, Chairman
of the Heart of Hawick Project Board, said, "This project is a great example of an initiative which has moved forward to today's
event on time and on budget. Everyone involved has worked together really well with a commitment and co-operation that demonstrates
how well a community and the public bodies can work together for the betterment of the economy and the environment. It will
create a wonderful, modern development which also reflects the heritage of Hawick within the Scottish Borders. I am proud
to be a part of this."
GHI's Managing Director, Gordon Cairns, said, "The GHI team are pleased to have been successful in securing this prestigious
and unique project. The challenging renovation of these two historic buildings will provide Hawick with a new and lasting
facility with diverse benefits for the community, and will give additional depth to GHI's considerable track record as a leading
contractor in this sector."
For more information, please contact Lindsay Wood, Scottish Borders Council's Heart of Hawick Manager on 01450 364704.
Project Manager for GHI is George Dillet. He can be contacted on 01698 844202.
Heritage Lottery Fund - Lucy Watson, Senior Grants Officer. Tel: 0131 240 1576.
Tom Mitchell, HLF Monitor. Tel: 0131 555 0101
SOSEP - Caroline Lindsay, Senior Programme Manager. Tel: 01387 251360
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PR. 255ellaw Date of issue: 10/08/05 Time of issue: 12:07:08
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