Glasgow Arts Centre Limited has applied for a partial change of use that would activate the cavernous interior as a versatile pop-up hall, accommodating food markets, craft fairs, seasonal festivals and corporate functions throughout the year.

The Sugar Sheds take their name from Greenock's role in Scotland's sugar trade, when raw cargoes arriving by ship were stored in vast dockside warehouses before processing — a defining chapter in the town's industrial heritage.

The scheme aims to celebrate that heritage while enabling modern, low-impact activity. Plans include an on-site museum to support school trips and educational visits, alongside temporary and reversible additions such as pop-up stalls, food trucks and a removable toilet block, ensuring the building's historic fabric remains intact.

Programming would be designed around key moments in the calendar, including Christmas, Easter and Halloween, as well as local celebrations, to create a year-round draw for residents and visitors. Existing food operators at the marina would be invited to take part, supporting local businesses and boosting their profile.

The application builds on momentum at James Watt Dock Marina, where a new access road and causeway, plus approved marina and retail projects, are reshaping the area as a focal point for tourism and community life. These investments, led by James Watt Dock LLP — a partnership between Riverside Inverclyde and Peel Waters — are positioning the waterfront to drive regeneration and economic growth.

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Together with the neighbouring Titan Crane, the Sugar Sheds remain among Inverclyde's most recognisable industrial landmarks. After decades of limited use, the fresh proposals seek to restore energy, public access and activity while carefully preserving their character.

The plans sit within a broader vision to fuse heritage, culture and leisure into a vibrant waterfront destination. They follow Glasgow Arts Centre Limited's separate application for an urban zipline from the Titan Crane, which could be the UK's longest, and would be complemented by a smaller indoor zipline and activity climbing centre inside the Sugar Sheds.

Bradley Mitchell, Director of Glasgow Arts Centre Limited, said: "These proposals are about bringing one of Greenock's most recognised historic assets back into action whilst respecting everything that makes it special. The Sugar Sheds offer an incredible scale and atmosphere, and by introducing a flexible programme of pop-up events, markets and cultural activity, we can create something that feels both authentic and exciting.

"This is just the beginning of a much bigger vision for the waterfront - one that brings people together, supports local businesses, and turns James Watt Dock into a must-visit destination on the Clyde."

Brian Lavalette, Scotland Property Director at Peel Waters, said: "James Watt Dock is already seeing significant investment and transformation, and these plans represent another important step in unlocking its full potential. By reimagining the Sugar Sheds as a vibrant, accessible events space, we can celebrate the area's heritage while creating new opportunities for tourism, leisure and community use.

"Working in partnership, we are committed to delivering a destination that supports long-term regeneration and economic growth for Inverclyde."

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council's convener of environment and regeneration, commented: "This is another exciting step towards realising our shared ambition of breathing new life into the historic Sugar Sheds and Titan Crane at James Watt Dock and as part of the ongoing redevelopment of Greenock.

"We've seen glimpses in the past of the huge potential of the Sugar Sheds at events like the Tall Ships and these proposals, subject to planning permission, present an opportunity to create something new and vibrant for Greenock and Inverclyde and encourage more people from near and far to discover what the area has to offer."

If planning consent is granted, the project would represent a significant step in returning one of Greenock's best-known waterfront landmarks to active use — establishing it as a lively hub for events, culture and community life. Peel Waters, as a joint partner in James Watt Dock LLP, continues to help drive the long-term renewal of James Watt Dock and the wider Inverclyde waterfront.