Local community groups are being invited to apply for event funding as part of the exciting ‘Great Harbour’ plans for Irvine.
The Great Harbour Community Fund has been launched to complement the ambitious £14 million plans for the Harbourside area.
To support the delivery of the Great Harbour project, a dedicated fund has been established, offering small grants to local groups wishing to run events at the Harbourside or the Beach Park in Irvine.
The Great Harbour Community Fund aims to support projects and activities that contribute to the transformation and regeneration of Irvine Harbourside, with a specific focus on free community events, to help increase visitor numbers and visitor expenditure and to support the development of Irvine Harbourside as an important Ayrshire tourism destination. It is hoped that the fund will also contribute towards promoting well-being, reducing inequalities, improving access to cultural and physical activities, and fostering a sense of place and community ownership.
The ‘Great Harbour’ forms part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal investment in tourism. The business case for the first phase of the project, ‘Coastal Hub’, was approved at the end of last year. Works will include the development of a themed regional playpark and other recreational facilities, and landscaping reflecting the coastal location, a new setting for the Pilot House, improved connections between the Beach Park and the Harbourside supporting active travel, and the re-lining of the Beach Drive car park to increase capacity.
Contractor McLaughlin Construction has been appointed to carry out the works and the playpark is expected to be complete in the Autumn, subject to weather and site conditions.
Grants under the fund are available to community groups, not-for-profit organisations, clubs, etc. which are constituted and hold an organisational bank account. The events proposed must meet at least one objective from Group 1 and at least one from Group 2 as detailed below:
Group 1: Harbourside Connection
Promoting the Great Harbour and Irvine Harbourside as a tourist destination.
Celebrating local art, culture, or history linked to Harbourside’s heritage
Offering conservation or biodiversity activities focused on the dune system
Encouraging physical activity within Harbourside’s green and blue spaces
Piloting a social enterprise initiative at Irvine Harbourside or Beach Park.
Group 2: Community Impact
Testing event spaces along Irvine Harbourside and gathering measurable feedback
Promoting equality and fostering good relations among diverse groups
Encouraging collaboration with other organisations to maximise impact.
Where the fund’s panel determines that an application aligns with the grant's objectives, an in principle award will be provided to the successful group in the first instance. This will enable successful groups to apply for the necessary permits, consents, and insurances. Applicants should allow up to 10 weeks to secure these permissions. The panel will make a final decision on the award based on this information.
For more advice on planning your event, please contact events@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.
More details about the full process can be found at the following website
Following the first phase, work will begin on the second phase of the project. The Maritime Mile, including Marine & Arts Hub which will feature a new waterfront space helping to support events, improved access to marine facilities, and the redevelopment of important heritage assets, subject to additional funding.
The third phase aims to create a Maritime Heritage Hub. This will see the council work in partnership with the Scottish Maritime Museum and Crown Estate Scotland to enhance and expand existing facilities around the Harbourside, including the Puffers Café area. It is hoped that this will increase visitors and encourage increased participation in maritime heritage in the area.