Alex Neil visits key development projects
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioner’s Rights Alex Neil MSP was in Irvine recently to visit key Irvine Bay regeneration projects.
His visit focused on current opportunities created by i3, Irvine's Enterprise Area and the redevelopment of Trinity Church in the centre of Irvine.
Recently at i3, a £3.5 million project was completed at the Strategic Investment Campus preparing a major greenfield site to attract new businesses to the area. Mr Neil's visit highlighted the current opportunities for attracting new investment to the area and the importance of existing employers such as leading pharmaceutical company GSK.
The Enterprise Area has become the major focus of IBRC’s business infrastructure work and plays a vital role in attracting new investment and jobs to North Ayrshire.Already more than £100 million of capital investment has been committed by the private sector in i3 and as a result, over 2,000 people are now employed within i3.
Mr Neil's visit also included time at Trinity Church which is located in the town’s Bridgegate area. The redevelopment of Trinity Church is a vital element in the regeneration of Irvine town centre and an important step in preserving the historic centre of the town of Irvine in Scotland. The building has undergone a major restoration project and North Ayrshire Council are now marketing the refurbished church as a development opportunity to potential end-users.
Commenting on the visit, Alex Neil said, “It was fantastic to see first-hand North Ayrshire Council’s ambitious work regenerating the area and hearing about their future plans. Investing in regeneration projects like the Irvine Enterprise Area is absolutely key for stimulating economic growth, creating jobs in North Ayrshire and improving its communities.”
Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive at Irvine Bay said, "We are delighted to have these opportunities to showcase the substantial milestones of recent years and promote the current opportunities for investment and growth in the area. The recent infrastructure work at the Enterprise Area sets the stage for new companies to locate here. This current focus on attracting inward investment builds on other work to bring regeneration to Irvine Bay, such as the town centre improvements that have already taken place."