Govan Cross Townscape Heritage

What is Govan Cross Townscape Heritage?

Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative (the THI) aims to regenerate Central Govan by investing in and promoting its unique and rich heritage.

The first five year phase of this £4.6 million initiative commenced in September 2009 and completed in January 2015 was funded by Glasgow City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The next five year phase of £4.1 million began in summer 2016, which also includes the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme which brings together the funding from Glasgow City Council, Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland (HES).  

Project Funding

As a grant giving programme, the THI offers grant investment to preserve and enhance the exceptional historic built environment found in Central Govan as major contributing factor to the area's ongoing regeneration:

• Repairing and maintaining the buildings and features that give Govan Cross its architectural character and distinct sense of place;
• Ensuring that historic buildings have uses that contribute to the economic and social vitality of the Govan Community; and
• Promoting opportunities for people to develop skills for life, work and learn about and appreciate the exceptional events, buildings and people that have shaped this historic place.

Phase 1 Projects

Completed Phase 1 THI projects include:

• Roof Repair to the Pearce Institute
• Govan Cross Public Realm Improvements - Phase 1, The Square
• Aitken Memorial Fountain restoration
• William Pearce Statue restoration
• Traditional Shop Front Improvements - Cafe13 on Govan Road and shops at Water Row and Langlands Road
• Comprehensive building repairs to the Water Row Tenements, Cardell Halls and Brechins Bar
• Plus a range of training and learning projects:
  • The "Only in Govan" book of memories;
  • Let's Talk Shop School project;
  • Mosaic Entranceways and Wally closes Community Ceramics Projects;
  • Pearce Statue and Aitken Fountain Interpretation Leaflets;
  • Hidden Histories Walking Trails; and
  • The Quest for the Thirteen Treasures of Govan graphic novel.

Phase 2 Projects

Current Phase 2 THI Projects include: 

• Govan Old (Church) - conversion of lower ground to provide 3,000 sq ft income generating office space plus repairs to main Church building (Cat A Listed).
• Govan and Linthouse Church - essential repairs to roof, masonry and windows of the Ancillary Building, overhaul of Bell Tower, reinstatement of church hall windows to match  the original design (Cat B Listed)
• Pearce Institute  - Stone repair to West Entrance/MacLeod Hall (Cat A Listed)
• (881-887) Govan Road - roof and masonry repairs, window reinstatement (Cat B Listed)
• Former Hill's Trust School - roof and masonry repairs, window reinstatement, restoration of historic detailing including gate piers and cast-iron fence (Cat B Listed)
• Brechin's Bar - completion of south elevation stone repair.
• Pre-1919 Tenements - Small Repair Grants for owners at Langlands Road and boundary of Elder Park.
• Shopfront Improvements - 45 shops targeted.
• Public Realm Improvements: Phase 3 improvements at Govan Cross including the entrance to Govan Old, War Memorial, Gushet, Burleigh Street, Pearce Lane. Separate project targeting improvements to Elder Park Gates and K13 Memorial.
• Wide selection of Learning Projects supporting local organisations and events that make Govan a better place to live, work and visit, boost the local economy and enable a diverse range of people to engage with Govan's heritage.
• Wide selection of Training Projects delivered in partnership with local organisations to help people develop skills for life and work and to look after Govan's exceptional historic built and landscaped environment.

Action Plan

The THI plan builds on many of the advantages and features of central Govan and are embedded within wider activities of the Central Govan Action Plan.

These include:

• A rich cultural and built heritage dating from ancient times to 19^th Century Shipbuilding Industry.
• Proximity to both the City Centre, the Clyde and major employment clusters the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Pacific Quay Digital Media Quarter, SEC and Hydro, Riverside Museum and Glasgow University including the emerging Glasgow Riverside Innovation District.
• The planned rejuvenation of Govan's Waterfront including the mixed-use residential and commercial development at Water Row and the Govan-Partick bridge being brought forward by Glasgow City Council City Deal.
• excellent transport links, including the subway and Clydewaterfront Fastlink.

For further information, please contact Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative.