AN ambitious £1.57million regeneration scheme for central Hawick has been launched.

Following on from similar schemes in Selkirk and Kelso, Hawick Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) is aimed at conserving and enhancing historic town centre buildings.

The scheme also targets bringing empty properties back into use, and encourage owners to carry out subsidised repairs within the defined area.

Funded by Historic Environment Scotland (£1.314m), Scottish Borders Council (£200k) and the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (£60k), it is hoped that, in conjunction with private sector investment in building repairs, the direct spend through the scheme will be more than £2million over the five-year programme.

Business councillor Mark Rowley said: “Since the funding from Historic Environment Scotland was announced in April significant work has been going on behind the scenes to enable us to launch the Hawick CARS programme today and kick-start the five year project.

“The regeneration the CARS programme will deliver will enhance significant buildings at the heart of Hawick’s impressive High Street and the core of the conservation area, making it an even more attractive place for residents and Hawick’s increasing numbers of visitors.

“These works will be complemented by our recently-announced shopfront improvement scheme which will significantly improve the look and appeal of the High Street.”

“This is just the latest investment in the town by a collection of partners since the creation of the Hawick Action Plan, and reflects Scottish Borders Council’s prioritisation of Hawick and the focus of an Economic Development Working Group for the town.

“That work has seen over £5million of external funding directed to Hawick including delivering new business units at Galalaw, the creation of a Centre for Excellence in Textiles, a STEM hub at the Borders College site and the development of a business incubator centre and public space at the eyesore former Armstrong’s site.”

Six priority buildings have been included in the CARS programme for repairs.

A total of £627,000 will be spent on the former Glenmac Mill in Teviot Crescent, 4 Round Close, 24 High Street, 26 High Street, the former Queens Head and the former Liberal Club.

Grant funding totalling £450,000 over the five years will also be available for other town centre property owners to undertake traditional building repairs.

Councillor Rowley added: “Having identified these key properties in prominent locations we aim to help the owners address long-standing building defects which are currently having a negative impact on the town centre, and in some instances have left the buildings unoccupied for some time.

“By working with these property owners and others throughout the town centre the Hawick CARS programme will hopefully see buildings not just improved but brought back in to active use, further contributing to town centre activity and benefiting the local economy.”

Other important elements of the scheme include reinforcing and enhancing awareness of the town’s rich history and heritage through community projects.

And a programme of traditional skills training will be developed to enhance construction skills for looking after the town’s historic environment for the future.

Amy Eastwood from Historic Environment Scotland, told us: “We are delighted to support this Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme and look forward to working with Scottish Borders Council on the project which is part of the wider regeneration work currently going on in Hawick.”

Any property owners interested in the funding available through Hawick CARS should contact HawickCARS@scotborders.gov.uk for further information.