The West Calder and Harburn Community Development Trust (WCHCDT) is leading the project, which aims to transform the derelict former Co-operative Bakery in West Calder into a hub for local economic development, local community cohesion, resilience, celebration, place making and community wealth building.

The completed centre will be home to a heritage attraction and interactive exhibition on the co-operative movement in Scotland, as well as spaces for community, training and wellbeing services, creating 22 new jobs and 150 annual training opportunities targeted at the most disadvantaged.

West Lothian Council have supported the efforts of the WCHCDT helping them with funding applications as well as continued input from the museums service to ensure the historic element of the local co-operative movement is fully captured, including borrowing collections for display in the new centre.

To date, funding has been secured to enable the capital and construction phase of the project from the Scottish Government’s place based investment and regeneration capital funds, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, the UK Government Community Ownership Fund and a range of smaller trusts and charities.

The funding has been underpinned by local windfarm community benefits and a local community share scheme.

With construction now reaching the halfway milestone, the project team have invited partners to get a glimpse of progress being made.

West Lothian Council’s executive councillor for economy, community empowerment and wealth building, Susan Manion, recently joined the council’s community wealth building manager Clare Stewart on a tour around the site.

Councillor Manion said: “The project builds on a proud local history to create a new national attraction with local roots.

“The area’s co-operative heritage will be a catalyst for improving community wellbeing, inclusion and opportunity locally and celebrating and sharing the history and future potential of the co-operative model.

“It’s exciting to see it all taking shape and I’m sure the tremendous efforts of WCHCDT and partners will be rewarded with a fantastic venue and destination that will be enjoyed by many.”

Trust manager Matt Pearce added: “We are delighted to be able to show progress to date. We are well on the way to delivering our vision.

“The support we have received from West Lothian Council has been and continues to be critical to the project’s success.

“We are now focussed on delivering the exciting exhibition element.”