Burgh cash-bid in final phase

Helensburgh is edging closer to securing a vital cash boost.

The Helensburgh Partnership - a group charged with reviving the town"s fortunes - are entering the final phase in a push to secure a share of a £2.9 million council regeneration fund.

But Oban, Dunoon, Campbeltown and Rothesay are also hoping to stake their claim.

Independent consultants Colgent SI and Smiths Gore have been drafted in to prepare an Outline Business Case for each of the five towns and are due to visit Helensburgh next week.

For the past year, The Helensburgh Partnership has worked tirelessly to secure a share of money which would be used to transform the Helensburgh waterfront and breath new life into the town centre. The group has carried out in depth studies on retail, traffic management, leisure and tourism and the residential market and have laid the foundations for the Outline Business Case.

Derek Anderson, Chief Executive of the Helensburgh Partnership, is confident the hard work will pay off.

He said: 'I think the time is right for Helensburgh.

'I sincerely hope that we get some money and I firmly believe that we will because we have put together a very strong business case and we have already done a lot of the ground work.

'A third of Argyll and Bute"s population lives in the Helensburgh and Lomond area. In my book, if you invest in your biggest area it will pay off.'

Representatives from Colgent SI and Smiths Gore are scheduled to begin a two-day stint in Helensburgh on Wednesday. They will meet with the Partnership two weeks later to finalise the Outline Business Case.

Mr Anderson believes a share of the cash would offer Helenbsurgh the chance of a brighter future and would encourage investment in the town.

He added: 'I have no doubt that the private sector will invest. What we need is some money from the council to kick-start things. One of the things the Partnership has managed to address is the need to pull together and look at the potential Helensburgh has to offer from a positive point of view.

'This town has so many plus points, it"s just a case of harnessing that. All you can do is give it your best shot.'

Coucillor James Robb, chair of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, said the town had taken a positive step forward.

He added: 'We have an outstanding case to secure the investment.

'If our Outline Business Case is successful, it will enable projects that will bring lasting benefits to the town, its residents and visitors.'

The Partnership could discover whether Helensburgh has won a share of the cash as early as June but the funds will not be made available until 2009 at the earliest.

To find out more, visit www.helensburghpartnership.co.uk.