A number of heritage buildings in Bathgate town centre are to be marked by plaques to provide locals and visitors with a glimpse into the town’s history.
The project is led by Enterprising Bathgate, the management company for the Bathgate Business Improvement District (BID), and is part of their wider vision to reinforce town’s ‘sense of place’.
The addition of a number of historical plaques has been made possible by a small grant awarded through government funding for town centre capital projects. The plaques will complement the recent addition of new street name signs, as well as the Welcome to Bathgate signs on the main routes into the town.
The plaques will also complement the recently published guide to heritage walks in Bathgate town centre, compiled by the Bathgate History Group in collaboration with Bathgate Community Council.
Work is currently underway to identify the best locations for the plaques. Enterprising Bathgate is keen to hear from local history lovers in this research phase and will take on board any suggestions before making a final decision on plaque locations.
Early feedback has brought to the fore buildings such as the Regal Theatre, the Pavilion, the building that is now home to café bar 1912, the Bennie Museum, St David’s Church, St Mary’s Church, the Emporium Building, the Working Men’s Institute, the former Royal Hotel and the former post office and bank which is now the Costa, both at the Steelyard, and the Air Raid Shelters on King Street.
Enterprising Bathgate board member Sue Bedford-Visser said: “These are some of the buildings we are considering but at this stage we are open to input from members of the local community for other specific ideas which will help tell the history of the town and how it grew and prospered.”
“Just one thing; due to the remit of the BID and the nature of the funding, all plaques will need to be sited in streets which are within the area defined as the Business Improvement District in the heart of the town”.
You can contact Enterprising Bathgate by email at info@bathgatebid.net or send a message through their page on facebook.
