A £1.4MILLION boost aims to create jobs and transform the Barras.

The Scottish Government funding being given to the Calton Barras Action Plan is in addition to the £3.5m investment by Glasgow City Council.

Among the projects planned is the development of Bain Square to turn it into the heart of Calton and to link it with nearby homes and the Barras market.

A move to turn the Barras back into a busy shopping hub to increase footfall, create employment and improve the historic buildings is also set out.

As reported in the Evening Times, the Barras Shopfront Grant Scheme was launched earlier this year and is already oversubscribed with more than 130 applications.

It has resulted in 90 'in principle' grant offers.

The refurbished shopfronts will build on improving the appearance of the area and it is hoped new businesses will be attracted to vacant units.

The action plan, a five-year programme of targeted investment, launched in September last year, is also working on turning around disused outdoor spaces.

We told last month how council bosses have lodged plans to create a park in a derelict site at Gallowgate, near Glasgow Cross, in the Schipka Pass.

The extra funding comes from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, which tries to transform disadvantaged communities.

Councillor Liz Cameron, executive member for business and the economy, said: "This welcome news is another step on the way towards the delivery of our plans to transform Calton and the Barras.

"The council has already invested £3.5m in this project, which will bring jobs and an improved environment to historic area between now and 2017.

"This funding will allow us to concentrate on three main areas in the next financial year."

The council is working with Action Barras Calton, a group of local traders, residents and other stakeholders, including Thenue Housing Association and Police Scotland.

The ABC group, chaired by Councillor Yvonne Kucuk, is in the processing of setting itself up as a development trust to continue the momentum in regenerating the area.

rachel.loxton@ eveningtimes.co.uk