Receiver pledges action to spruce up Gateway site

The Courier, 19 July 2001

The receiver dealing with the sale of the ill-fated £9 million Gateway building, still standing empty and unused at St Andrews, are to act to tidy up the site.

Edinburgh-based Grant Thornton announced this yesterday as concern grew over the unkempt state of the area at the main western entrance to the town. Uncertainty over the future of the building continues as the receivers, who are offering the it at a knock-down £2 million, attempt to find a new owner.

The centre, which was to house a prestigious private club, and a first port of call and museum for the University of St Andrews, has been standing empty for well over a year after the collapse of ambitious plans to corner a slice of the US golf market. However the grounds have become overgrown and untidy and it has emerged that St Andrews Community Council has raised the matter with the receivers.

Local Councillor Frances Melville said yesterday there was concern the state of the site could have an adverse effect on the town’s image and its chances in “in bloom” competitions.

“It is an eyesore and is no advertisement for a town which often has the eyes of the world focused on it,” she said. “Although there was a lot of controversy about the Gateway project during the planning process permission was granted, it has been built, and needs to find a user soon.

“The building itself has turned out to be a very attractive one and it is very sad indeed that this situation has developed. It is in everyone’s interest that the Gateway is sold and is put to a useful purpose.”

A spokesman for Grant Thornton confirmed that concern had been raised over the state of the site and said action would be taken to tidy it up.

He also said discussions were continuing with prospective purchasers, and it was hoped that a final decision would be made within a month.

Grant Thornton has not revealed how many parties are still interested in the building but has confirmed that there is more than one.

It has already been revealed that the university itself has discussed the matter, and has been in negotiation with the receiver to buy the complex at a price of £1.2 million.

It had been suggested that one possible use might be a new home for the students’ union, although it is also clear that there was concern within the university court - and from the university principal himself - over this course of action.

The original project folded only a few weeks before the complex was due to open and around 60 staff lost jobs they had held for all too brief a period. One of the major problems was the failure of an overseas membership drive, which raised just £49,000 from a target figure of £1.5 million.