Police Scotland begins multi-million pound refurbishment of its estate
Police Scotland is investing £2.4 million in the transformation of Rothesay police station, the first building to undergo a full refurbishment as part of its Estates Masterplan.
Work began this week as Police Scotland looks to create a “modern and fit for purpose estate that supports effective policing in communities”.
Improvements to the Rothesay site will include refurbishing the public counter area and entrance facilities, creating a new meeting room for discussions with members of the public, enhanced custody facilities, structural repairs, energy efficiency improvements and other upgrades designed to modernise the 60-year-old station.
The project is also looking to create additional space that could potentially be used by other organisations in the future, to further strengthen partnership working.
Work is expected to take around 30 weeks to complete.
Chief Superintendent Gary I’Anson, local police commander for Argyll and West Dunbartonshire said: “This refurbishment is a major investment in policing for the community of Bute.
“This is the first building to undergo a full refurbishment as part of Police Scotland’s Estates Masterplan, which aims to create a modern and fit for purpose estate that supports effective policing in our communities and provides modern working environments for our officers and staff.
“Rothesay police station serves not only the town but is our base for policing the entire island. Close to the main shopping area and ferry terminal, the station is in a good location for residents and the thousands of visitors who come to the island every year. We also have good access from our current building to travel to other areas of the island.”
He added: “The current building is old and the layout isn’t ideal for the roles and responsibilities of modern policing. Investing in the station will ensure that it can continue to be used as an effective policing base for years to come.”