What We Do
Image above: The exterior of Govan Old Church. Credit: Govan Workspace Ltd.
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is delighted to have been shortlisted alongside Govan Workspace for Social Investment Deal of the Year at the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards 2026, which celebrates the vital role social enterprises play in supporting communities, building places, and making a positive impact on our environment and wellbeing.
The nomination follows the AHF's £300,000 loan to Govan Workspace, which unlocked the completion of a stalled £2.3 million redevelopment project, and is helping transform Govan Old into a fully operational and sustainable community asset and visitor attraction.
Govan Workspace is a long-established, community-led economic development organisation based in south-west Glasgow. Over more than four decades, it has successfully converted underused historic buildings into productive economic assets, demonstrating how local heritage can contribute to community wealth building and place making.
In 2009, the organisation took on the challenge of finding a new use for one of Govan's greatest cultural assets, the Category A-listed Govan Old Church, following public outcry at its closure. The risk of losing public access to the nationally important Govan Stones was a real concern.
Govan Old Parish Church in 2008. Credit: Hugh Gray, Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Govan Workspace went on to develop a viable business plan to transform the building into a museum, visitor centre and hub for community and enterprise activities. Following delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the AHF's loan helped secure completion of the redevelopment project, unlocking more than 15,000 sq ft of lettable space and supporting Govan Old's long-term sustainability.
Visualisation of the exterior of Govan Old by JM Architects.
The loan builds on a long-standing relationship between the AHF and Govan Workspace. Over many years, the AHF has supported a number of the organisation's projects through advice, grant funding and loan finance, including three Historic Environment Scotland-supported grants for early-stage viability and development work at Govan Old.
Through a combination of Govan Workspace's vision and determination and the AHF's long-term support and funding, this historic building has been given a new lease of life. The Govan Old project involves a unique and innovative combination of historic building re-use and sustainable business space to let, all supported by a brand-new river-source heat pump and other environmental improvements. Crucially, the project safeguards the internationally renowned Govan Stones while creating a sustainable museum and business hub that will benefit residents, businesses and visitors for years to come.
Hogback stones that can be found inside Govan Old. Credit: Dissonancefalling, Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
The AHF is the UK's only specialist lender for charities and social enterprises working with historic buildings, providing tailored finance and support to help organisations overcome complex challenges and secure a sustainable future for heritage assets. Our loans can support the purchase, repair, refurbishment and redevelopment of historic buildings.
Alongside our lending programmes, the AHF offers a range of grant funding and support for organisations working with historic buildings across Scotland - with support from Historic Environment Scotland and the William Grant Foundation - and the wider UK. For more information, please visit our Funding Page.
The winners of the Scotland Social Enterprise Awards 2026 will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Radisson Blu Glasgow on 28 October. For more information about the awards, please visit: https://socialenterprise.scot/awards/
More about Govan Workspace:
https://www.govanworkspace.co.uk
More about Govan Old and the Govan Stones: