Creating employment, supporting the town centre and providing community leisure opportunities have been core to the redevelopment of Helensburgh’s waterfront.

The completed leisure and public realm development has already been credited with being a finalist of one of the best ‘Placemaking’ developments of 2023 in the UK Planning Awards and is also shortlisted for ‘Development of the Year (Public Buildings) 2024’ in the Scottish Property Awards.

Five bidders have submitted proposals and the council is now considering offers for the final phase of development adjoining East Clyde Street. The five proposals are from a mix of international, national and local bidders, ranging in use from community infrastructure, hotel, restaurant and retail.

A report is due to go to the Helensburgh and Lomond Committee on 12 March 2024. The next step after the committee is to invite the preferred bidder(s) for an interview to outline their proposals in more detail and discuss the next steps. The proposals remain commercially confidential with an announcement expected after interviews take place.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney, policy lead for finance and commercial services, said: “This is an important step as we look to build on the success of the new Leisure Centre and strengthen the town’s long-term economic success by creating jobs and attracting more people to the area.

“We’re pleased with the continued level of interest in redeveloping the Waterfront and have given careful consideration to assets that not only enhance the town’s existing offering to people currently travelling outside of the area, it will also offer opportunities for future generations. We would like to thank everyone who has submitted detailed proposals to date.”