Glasgow's long-vacant Meat Market site in Bellgrove is set to undergo a major transformation following the award of a £4.486 million City Deal grant, including £1.9 million each from the UK and Scottish governments.

With planning permission now granted and a long-term lease secured, the ambitious project, led by the Meat Market Regeneration Community Interest Company (CIC), can move forward to revitalise the historic B-Listed Meat Market sheds into a multi-use hub for community, sport and local enterprise.

The derelict site, which has lain dormant since the 1990s, will be redeveloped into a flexible, dynamic space featuring sports facilities, a bar and bistro, event areas, a learning centre, and an enterprise incubator for small businesses. A community growing space is also planned, while the B-Listed Superintendent’s House will be stabilised ahead of its proposed future use as an active travel hub.

A key element of the regeneration will be the creation of a new linear park, connecting Bellgrove Street to Melbourne Street. This green corridor will feature tree planting, raingardens, and active travel infrastructure to encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the funding boost: "Building on investment we have already made, we are contributing £5.6 million to this project to provide a bustling hub in the heart of Glasgow's East End where people can shop, work and socialise.

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"This adds to the work we are supporting to transform disused land across the East End into places where people can live, businesses can invest, and communities are able to thrive.

"To create jobs and tackle poverty, the Scottish Government is providing £62.15 million towards regeneration projects over the course of this financial year. These initiatives will help to revitalise town centres, derelict sites and green spaces to benefit people across Scotland."

UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill added: "I'm delighted that £1.9 million UK Government funding will help transform this derelict Glasgow site into a thriving hub for community, sport and local businesses. This is our Plan for Change in action - investment to drive economic growth and improve lives by building a fairer country with equal opportunities for all. By genuine partnership working with the Scottish Government and local partners here and across Scotland we will deliver a decade of national renewal."

The latest grant follows earlier City Deal-funded site remediation works, unlocking the site's development potential. Adjacent land has already seen the successful delivery of 251 mid-market rental homes by the HOME Group.

The Meat Market Regeneration CIC, which has also secured National Lottery Heritage Fund support, will manage the redevelopment.

Patrick Flynn, Chair of the CIC, said: "Our Board is delighted the City Deal Fund has appraised our project as worthy of this significant investment. We have undertaken significant community consultation to ensure that the proposed works at the Meat Market reflect the aims of local people in terms of community use and job and training opportunities. Our Board are striving to successfully develop the exciting projects that make up this significant regeneration initiative."

A heritage activity programme is also planned to encourage public engagement with the site's rich past. The creation of the linear park and refurbishment of the sheds are expected to be the first phases of the project to be delivered.

The Glasgow City Region Deal, signed in 2014, is a £1.2 billion investment package supported by £520 million each from the UK and Scottish governments and £130 million from eight local authorities across the region.