June construction date for museum of Aberdeenshire and new Peterhead Library

Construction of the landmark museum of Aberdeenshire and new Peterhead Library is set to begin in June.

The multi-million-pound project will be delivered by Hub North Scotland and marks a major milestone in the transformation of Peterhead town centre, breathing new life into the historic Arbuthnot House on Broad Street.

Alongside the ongoing redevelopment of Macduff Aquarium, the Cultural Quarter project continues to be supported by £20 million from the UK Local Regeneration Fund alongside council investment and major contributions from national funding streams.

It forms part of the Council’s continued commitment of £150 million in investment for the town including construction of a much-anticipated replacement Peterhead Academy which will deliver a modern, inspiring and fully accessible learning environment, supporting education, wellbeing and community life for decades to come.

However, the Council last week made the difficult decision not to progress with the planned refurbishment of the former Public Library and Arbuthnot Museum building on St Peter Street as part of the town’s Cultural Quarter project.

Significantly increased construction and material costs associated with delivering the wider project have necessitated the reallocation of the Council’s capital funding to ensure these main elements can proceed.

Redirecting funding in this way will enable work to begin imminently on the flagship museum and library development, securing long-term cultural, educational and economic benefits for Peterhead and Aberdeenshire.

The Council recognises the disappointment this announcement will bring, but it remains committed to working with stakeholders to identify future funding streams and ensuring the building enjoys a long new lease of life.

The Council has also confirmed that Peterhead Library will continue to operate from the town’s Leisure and Community Centre for the next few years as the former library building is not fit for purpose.

Read the full news release here: June construction date for museum of Aberdeenshire and new Peterhead Library - Aberdeenshire Council

New Frequently Asked Questions on the Carnegie pages have also been published. You can find them in the Useful Documents section on this newsfeed.