Community / Bressay development group celebrates sizeable funding award for Speldiburn revamp
A PROJECT to revamp the Speldiburn centre in Bressay has secured funding worth nearly £1 million from the Scottish Government.
The plans from Bressay Development Ltd (BDL) include enhancing the building’s studio space, entrance and toilets, while reconfiguring the layout.
BDL previously said it has developed Speldiburn – which is the former Bressay primary school and contains a cafe and a charity shop in addition to other spaces such as an NHS clinic room – “as far as possible without any major changes”.
But it said the building “lacks a welcoming entrance, has a layout which is confusing for visitors and contains a lot of waste space/awkward corridors which we feel would be better used”.
The project, which has planning permission, would allow BDL to increase studio and business start-up opportunities, ensure space is efficient and welcoming, and provide a more spacious layout for the cafe and multi-use rooms.
The new funding, worth £997,943, is coming from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.
BDL director Beatrice Lowe said the group was delighted with the funding award.
“Speldiburn is Bressay’s community hub, it’s home to our café, Good as New Shop, art and craft studios and an NHS clinic room,” she explained.
“It’s used year-round by Bressay folk as well as many Shetland visitors and tourists.
“BDL has spent 10 years transforming Speldiburn into the fantastic community building we have today, but the school layout brings issues and constraints which cannot be overcome without significant development.”
Malcomson Architects have been working with BDL on the project since 2022, with feasibility and design studies supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Shetland Islands Council’s Coastal Communities Fund.
“The final plan allows us to reconfigure some of the inside space and add a new build studio block giving us a better, more accessible entrance, better outdoor areas, purpose-built studios and exhibition space and new toilets with shower and laundry facilities,” Lowe said.
“These changes have been planned to allow both BDL and our tenants room to grow in a building which will be adaptable for future opportunities.
“We are really pleased with the plan, we’ve worked hard to ensure that changes are focused on areas which will bring the most benefit.
“Much of the building will remain as it is and construction has been carefully phased to allow Speldiburn to remain open through most of the work.
“We expect to be looking for contractors to undertake the work very soon.”
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