PLANS have been unveiled to revamp Alexandria and Dumbarton town centres as part of a national initiative.

Following a more than £850,000 award from the Scottish Government as part of the one-off Town Centre Fund, West Dunbartonshire Council has been looking into possible work to be done to the towns.

Now, in a report due before the infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee next week, officers have outlined a slew of proposals for the two areas.

In Alexandria, a trio of buildings on Main Street will be brought back into retail and residential use, in a bid to compliment nearby housing developments which are yet to be built.

Following the investment in redevelopment of the Kippen Dairy site, an area at Creuvel Court and Mitchell Way, the council are looking to spend £430,000 on refurbishing 76-80 Main Street, which will become improved retail units with affordable flats on the upper floors.

The former site of the Lagavulin is also in line for investment, and will be being split into two smaller retail units to match demand in Alexandria.

Finally, 119 Main Street will see improvement to the entrance of the building and transformation of upper floors, allowing offices to be established.

As well as the Main Street buildings, the Smollett Fountain in the town centre will also be refurbished, if the plans are passed by the local authority.

The Town Centre Fund has set a time limit on use of the funds, meaning the work to the fountain itself will likely not be paid for by the government grant, however, £30,000 of the cash will be used to create designs, with the council funding subsequent restoration work.

The final bill for the fountain project has not yet been identified.

READ MORE: Council counts the cost as Glencairn House refurb jumps £500k

In Dumbarton, council proposals have outlined plans for a “high quality gathering place and gateway” at the waterfront.

According to the report, the area will include “greening, seating and ‘pocket park’ facilities”.

The Riverside Lane development, which is intended to connect the High Street with the riverfront, will cost an estimated £350,000, including an allocation of £51,000 in developer contributions secured by the planning service.

The land is currently jointly owned by the council and housing developer Culross, who has agreed to hand the land back to the local authority.

In total, spending on the revamp of both town centres will top £1 million, when council spending is factored in.

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The Scottish Government dished out £50 million to local authorities across the country on the express condition that the cash will be used to benefit town centre communities in a bid to foster business and tourist growth.