New building and shopfront improvement grants approved

30th August 2022

A historic building grant has been approved for the restoration of 2-4 West Street in Penicuik as part of the town’s Heritage Regeneration Project. Shop improvement grants have also been approved for 14-20 High Street.

The grant award for 2-4 West Street (the Belgian Consulate) is £161,598. This will help meet the cost of work totalling £207,177. The roof will be restored, using natural slate to match the existing tiles, and the building’s stonework willbe repaired and repointed. The original timber sash and case windows and external doors will also be repaired and painted.

Grants totalling £76,463 have also been awarded for four shop front improvement schemes in the town centre. These are for 14 High Street (Lindsey’s Flowers), 16 High Street (Best Seller), 18 High Street (Tanz) and 20 High Street (McDougall McQueen, Estate Agents). The existing frontages will be repaired and repainted, with new shop front fascias, signs and sign writing. The total cost of the project is£80,488.

Midlothian Provost Debbi McCall, who chairs the Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project team said: “These schemes will significantly enhance and improve the centre of Penicuik. 14-20 High Street is a prominent parade of shops and the improvements will help lift the image of the street, complementing the shop front improvements recently carried out at 22 and 28-30 High Street.

“The building in 2-4 West Street is alsoin urgent need of restoration. The roof has been leaking over the last 2 years and further deterioration will have an adverse effect on the integrity of this Category “C” listed building. The work will help guarantee its future and allow its two occupants – the Penicuik Arts Association and the Belgian Consulate – to continue to operate from this important historic building, prominently located at the junction of West Street and the High Street”.