Fund for Dalkeith buildings work soon to shut up shop

A POT of cash which was provided to improve shop fronts and buildings in Dalkeith has almost run out.

Around £1.8 million was made available as part of the Dalkeith Townscape Heritage Initiative and the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme.

But after a surge in applicants, just a few hundred thousands pounds is remaining – meaning smaller grants are now being distributed to ensure the cash goes as far as possible.

Grants of up to 75 per cent have been provided towards the cost of repairs or improvements to historic buildings. Around 15 properties have benefited from the scheme, while around five other applications are still to be processed.

Rod Lugg, who manages the initiative, said: “It took a while to get going, but the scheme has been popular.

“We only have a finite pot of money, but we always knew that would be the case. It is drying up.”

It is also hoped that funding will be found to restore larger Dalkeith landmarks, such as the Corn Exchange, to their former glory.