FALKIRK COUNCIL
BRIEFING NOTE

From:         Douglas Duff, Head of Economic Development & Environmental Services

Subject:     Denny Town Centre Regeneration – update

Date         8 September 2016

1.0    Introduction  
1.1    The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the status of the Denny Town Centre Regeneration Project

2.0     Phase 1
2.1     Work is nearing completion on the first phase of the new town centre.  Clark Contracts Ltd is the Phase 1 main contractor and has confirmed that works are proceeding to programme.  The first stage of the Phase 1 works, including the development of the commercial building, is identified for completion on the 17 October 2016.  The second stage of works, include the demolition of the octagonal building, completion of the car park and town square will be completed during 2017.  


    Denny Phase 1

Phase 1 Marketing
2.2   The Council has appointed marketing agents to promote and invite interest in the vacant units within the Phase 1 development.  The marketing brief was issued on the 28 June inviting interest from prospective tenants with responses returned on the 26 August 2016. The responses will be considered at the Council’s Executive meeting on the 27 September.  Three units are already committed, with agreements in place with Lloyds Pharmacy, Boots and Café Anton.

Phase 1 Public Art Proposals
2.3   The Council, with support from a local community panel and Falkirk Community Trust, is currently agreeing contracts with the recruited artists for 3 of the 5 public art projects. 

1.  Interventions (Sculptural Treasure Trail) - Joseph Ingleby (details at: http://www.josephingleby.com/)

2.   Railings (Sculptural/Interactive) – David Annand (details at: http://www.davidannand.com/ )

3.   The Lazy Corner) – Blair Cunningham (details at: http://www.axisweb.org/p/blaircunningham/#info )

The additional Public Art projects are:

4. Way finding (The picture House) - At the initial stage of the recruitment process, only one application was received for the Way Finding (The Picture House) commission.  However during the assessment process the applicant withdrew their interest.  This commission will therefore be re-advertised and further information provided as this is progressed. 

5.  Staircase (A Visual Feature)
There were two applicants for the Staircase commission and one of the two withdrew their interest.  Whilst, the local community panel was very satisfied with the other bid that was proposed, however it was over the anticipated budget.  The available budget for this commission is being reviewed with a view to re-advertising the opportunity.

Public Art Project Timetable
·    August/Sept 2016: appointments/contract commences
·    Oct/Nov 2016: research, design and outline design proposals
·    Dec - Jan 2017: community engagement
·    Feb 2017: finalise design
·    Spring/Summer 2017: Installation

Public Wi-fi
2.4    The Council, in collaboration with BT, hopes to deliver a public wi-fi scheme as part of the phase 1 plans.  It is expected that the free wi-fi coverage will include the town square and surrounding area.

3.0    Phase 2 Development
3.1    Following B & M’s decision not to progress their previous interest in the Denny Phase 2 site, the Council’s Executive, on the 7 June 2016, agreed to remarket the site on completion of the Phase 1 development.

4.0    Denny Regeneration Office – 35 Church Walk, Denny
4.1    To progress the next phase of the town centre works, the octagonal building is scheduled for demolition.  Clark Contracts have now applied for the disconnection of utilities to this building and therefore, the Regeneration Office will close at 1pm on Tuesday 20 September.  Council officers will continue to liaise fully with members of the community on the project and enquiries can be made to the Growth and Investment Unit on 01324 590973.

5.0    Denny Newsletter Update
5.1    A newsletter will be issued in Autumn 2016 providing an update on the Denny town centre regeneration activity. 

From: John Robinson

Subject: Your enquiry

Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2016 13:22:51 +0000

Dear Mr. Wallace,

I am writing further to your concerns regarding the future of our store in Denny as a result of our sale of 298 small stores. At the time of writing this email, 14 July 2016, there are no indications on our systems that our Denny store is being considered for sale or closure. Please find below a quotation from a document issued today which I hope will explain our strategy regarding small Co-op stores:

"Where our small stores are able to offer our members and customers the right range in the right location they will continue to trade. We continually review our stores and lots of different factors are taken into consideration, all with the aim of offering a great and convenient shopping experience."

Subject: Stagecoach: Denny to Glasgow service
From: William.Mainus@stagecoachbus.com
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2016 09:14:02 +0000

Dear Mr Wallace,

I refer to your recent email regarding our depot move in the near future to Cumbernauld.

Though we are always looking for new opportunities to expand our services, however, we have no plans at the present time to expand on our current network as we want to try and allow the existing Cumbernauld network to settle down at the new depot.

I will however, keep your email on file as part of a future depot review.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss this matter in more detail.  

William Mainus
Commercial Manager

Stagecoach West Scotland
Sandgate
AYR
KA7 1DD

Tel: 01292 613700
Fax: 01292 613501

Denny Town Centre Phase 1 Public Art Proposals

In line with the Public Art Presentation made at Denny Primary School on 12 March 2015, the Council is now about to embark on the commissioning of artists for the 5 public art projects which transpired from the programme of creativity and consultation which was undertaken by ICA. These commissions will be developed and tendered competitively as five separate artist briefs. The overall management of this process will be undertaken by Falkirk Council with support from a shortleeting and interview panel of community representatives which will be established. Deadline for submissions is 27 May, with shortleeting and interviews scheduled for June. The 5 commissions are as follows:

 

Project Timetable

April – May 2016: advertise for artists
June 2016: shortleeting/interviews
July 2016: appointment/contract commences
July/August 2016: research, design and outline design proposals
September 2016: community engagement
October 2016: finalise design
November 2016 – March 2017: installation

FALKIRK COUNCIL
BRIEFING NOTE


From:         Douglas Duff, Head of Economic Development & Environmental Services

Subject:     Denny Town Centre Regeneration – update

Date         29th April 2016


1.0    Introduction  
1.1    The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the status of the Denny Town Centre Regeneration Project


2.0     Phase 1
2.1     Work is underway on the first phase of the new town centre.  Clark Contracts Ltd is the Phase 1 main contractor and has confirmed that works are proceeding to programme (see photos below)

Internal Library

The works carried out to date include:

    Phase 1
·    Commenced natural stone cladding
·    Scaffold internally and externally ongoing
·    Commenced first floor partitions
·    Commenced first floor ventilation
·    Commenced second stage carpark works

         Phase 1 Marketing
2.2        The Council has appointed marketing agents to promote and invite interest in the vacant units within the Phase 1 development.  The marketing brief is currently being prepared and will be issued during May this year.  Three units are already committed, with agreements in place with Lloyds Pharmacy, Boots and Café Anton.  Unfortunately a commitment was not secured with the TSB Bank and they have decided to close their Denny branch.   The 7 remaining retail units will be marketed to attract commercial interest.

    Phase 1 Public Art Proposals
2.3    In line with the Public Art Presentation made at Denny Primary School on 12 March 2015, the Council is now about to embark on the commissioning of artists for the 5 public art projects which transpired from the programme of creativity and consultation which was undertaken by ICA.   These commissions will be developed and tendered competitively as five separate artist briefs.  The overall management of this process will be undertaken by Falkirk Council with support from a shortleeting and interview panel of community representatives which will be established.  Deadline for submissions is 27 May, with shortleeting and interviews scheduled for June.  The 5 commissions are as follows:

DENNY TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION PROJECT PHASE 1 PUBLIC ART PROPOSALS

1.  Way-Finding (The Picture House)
   
2.   Interventions (Sculptural Treasure Trail)

3.   Railing (Sculptural/Interactive)

4.   Staircase (A Visual Feature)

5.   A Place to Play (The Lazy Corner)

Project Timetable
April – May 2016: advertise for artists
June 2016: shortleeting/interviews
July 2016: appointment/contract commences
July/August 2016: research, design and outline design proposals
September 2016: community engagement
October 2016: finalise design
November 2016 – March 2017: installation

Public Wi-fi
2.4       The Council in collaboration with BT hope to deliver a public wi-fi scheme as part of the phase 1 plans. 

3.0       Phase 2 Development
3.1    As agreed by the Council’s Executive on the 23 February 2016, the Council was to formalise an agreement with County properties who would, in turn, formalise an agreement with B & M for the occupation of the retail unit at the site.  County have recently been advised by B & M that they wish to reconsider their position in relation to the Denny project as part of a national review of their acquisition strategy.  The Council are liaising further with County/B & M to establish if their revised requirements can be accommodated in Denny.
 
4.0       Phase 3 Development  
4.1       Following the community presentation on the conclusions from the Denny Charrette consultation, printed copies of the final report are available at key public buildings in the town. Printed copies are available on request to 01324 590973.  The Denny Charrette Fund, via Foundation Scotland is currently supporting a number of local projects within the town centre.  Foundation Scotland is accepting applications for grants and constituted groups and organisations working to benefit those living in the Denny & District area.  Application and guidance material is available here: - https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/denny-and-district/