WEST Dunbartonshire Council’s new £15.4million offices in Dumbarton town centre are set to open to the public next Tuesday.

The new the state-of-the-art building at 16 Church Street will welcome residents and visitors from 9.30am on May 29 with 500 employees relocating to the building from Garshake Road and other offices from this week.

The building includes a multi-use civic space, training and meeting rooms to the front and a new office building to the rear as well as a new council chamber.

The former Dumbarton Academy site has been transformed into a modern and efficient town centre base that features a retained William Leiper-designed, Grade A listed façade – the result of a conservation project supported by Historic Environment Scotland to ensure this important part of Dumbarton’s heritage was preserved.

A 195-space car park sits at the rear of the building, including 10 accessible car parking spaces and 10 spaces for electric vehicles.

In addition, storage for 80 bikes has been provided and the council has developed a Green Travel Plan to promote healthier and cost effective ways of commuting.

The new building will bring savings in the region of £400,000 per year compared to maintaining the current office estate.

Councillor Iain McLaren, convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, said: “It has been amazing to watch the progress at 16 Church Street over the last year or so and it’s exciting to know that we are so close to welcoming our residents to the new building. I know that our staff and members of the public will enjoy the facility as it is on a completely different level to the old office at Garshake Road.

“Even driving through the town centre, it’s clear that this building has already changed the landscape and I know it will be a hugely positive addition to Dumbarton.”

Councillor Diane Docherty, vice convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, added: “The council has delivered a number of excellent new facilities in recent years, including new schools and Clydebank Leisure Centre, and there are still many more to come. It’s fantastic to see 16 Church Street so close to opening and I look forward to welcoming members of the public here at the end of May.”

Despite the new offices opening on time the council’s planning committee meeting will take place at Garshake on May 30, and the following day the full council will also meet in the old chamber at Garshake as the council were unable to test the new audio equipment in time a the new building before issuing the notices calling the meetings.

The council worked with Hub West Scotland on the new office, with Lendlease as the main contractor.