A multi-million pound project in Argyll and Bute is entering it's final phase, the council has announced.

The Helensburgh Office Rationalisation Project (HORP) involves centralising services for Helensburgh and Lomond into one new bespoke building.

Employees are to relocate to their new office accommodation on Monday, 16 November.

The project involved refurbishing the Grade B listed former Clyde Street School in East Clyde Street.

A new extension has also been developed alongside the building.


The upgraded facilty will provide new community spaces including a cafe, a marriage suite, a gallery and meeting rooms.

Outside, there will be landscaped grounds open for public use, an outdoor events/marriage area and a community garden.

The extension building will contain around 140 council staff.

Work began on the site in August 2013.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney said: "An important part of the process has been listening to the views and wishes of local people who took part in a consultation; in particular the council has taken special recognition of the importance of the former school to the community.

"This contributed to the design of the building which will provide space for community groups and recreation, and to accommodate the rich and diverse range of cultural activities enjoyed by local people."

(LM/CD)