The HALO Kilmarnock was extremely proud to take home the award for Best Regeneration Project at last night’s Scottish Property Awards in Glasgow.

The Scottish Property Awards, a national celebration of the real estate industry in Scotland, and its judges have recognised the HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre for transforming a deprived urban site through the delivery of a mixed-use property development which has environmentally improved the local area while generating a positive economic and social impact.

The HALO Kilmarnock is 13 years in the making with a vision for a dynamic commercial, educational, cultural, leisure and lifestyle quarter where people can ‘Live, Work, Learn and Play’. The HALO will provide a sustainable community approach to a mixed-use development powered by electricity with a net zero carbon footprint.

The HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre (HEIC), which opened its doors in January 2022, will create an industry leading entrepreneurial accelerator for business growth concentrating on the green economy. One of the largest employers in Kilmarnock, the Nasdaq-listed PRA Group are the HEIC’s anchor tenant bringing jobs and opportunities to the local community.

The HALO is also creating a cyber and digital training learning facility that will support SMEs on The HALO trading floor, establishing The HALO at the forefront of the digital Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Marie Macklin CBE, Founder and Executive Chair of the HALO, said: “I am so, so proud that the HALO has won the award for Best Regeneration Project. This is the award I have always wanted to win as it is judged by real property people who truly understand the industry in Scotland and across the UK.

“The HALO has been on a 13 year journey but the HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre and our #RockMe trading floor are open and ready to ROCK the economy as the best regeneration project in Scotland.

“There are too many to mention but I’d like to thank our team at the HALO, our partners, the Scottish Property Awards and everyone who has joined the HALO on this incredible journey. Thank you.”

Adrian Gillespie, CEO of Scottish Enterprise, said: “It is fantastic to see the HALO Centre recognised for its ambitions to promote and support sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation and growth, and we are proud to be supporters of the project.

“Marie and the team have created in HALO an exemplar in how to encourage, cultivate and grow a hub of innovation that benefits our economy, our environment and our communities.”

Katie Kelly, Depute Chief Executive at East Ayrshire Council, said: “I am delighted for Marie and the HALO Team in winning this prestigious award. This ambitious initiative will make a major positive impact on the regeneration and recovery of the businesses and communities we serve in East Ayrshire and forms an important element of our wider regional regeneration as part of our Ayrshire Growth Deal. HALO absolutely fulfils our collective ambition to develop a strong, green and well-being economy with community wealth building at the heart of our plans.”

The HALO Kilmarnock is being funded with £3.5 million from the UK Government, £3.5 million from the Scottish Government, and £2 million from East Ayrshire Council as part of the £251.5 million Ayrshire Growth Deal – a 10-year investment programme jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments and local authorities. £2 million was also provided by Diageo.

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