An award marking “the most dismal town in Scotland” has been scrapped after locals in Port Glasgow refused to accept the dishonour earlier this month.
Sponsored by architecture magazine Urban Realm, the tongue in cheek ‘Plook on the Plinth’ award was awarded to the Inverclyde town two weeks ago.
However, social entrepreneur Kevin Green refused to accept the trophy, which he accused of being “poverty tourism”.
A fortnight on from the row, Urban Realm confirmed that the award, previously claimed by Airdrie, Cumbernauld, and Aberdeen, has been officially retired — and replaced with the “Heart on your Sleeve” award.
Returning to the town of 14,000 to present the new award, John Glenday, editor of Urban Realm, said:
“Having been chased out of Port Glasgow last week, I was not expecting to return to Port Glasgow so soon, but I am delighted to be back.
“Fruitful conversations away from the cameras showed that while coming from very different starting points, we are both headed toward the same end, a better Port Glasgow.”
He added: “Just as adaptive re-use is the story of the town, so too can it be for the Plook on the Plinth and I am pleased to see the award evolve in response to local demand.
“Today, we can reveal what we have been keeping up our sleeves, a big heart to symbolise the passion displayed by those on the ground to remedy its squandered potential.”
For decades, Port Glasgow was home to the notorious Clune Park housing estate, dubbed 'Scotland's Chernobyl'.
However, the derelict estate is now in the process of being demolished, making the way for new afforable housing.
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Port Glasgow resident and local business owner Drew McKenzie, who serves as Inverclyde Council’s provost, previously criticised the magazine’s decision to award the ‘plook’.
He said: “It’s ironic that Port Glasgow has been bestowed this ‘honour’ at a time of transformation and celebration for the town – and in the town’s 250th anniversary year, which saw record crowds gather to celebrate the past, present and future of the town.
“Port Glasgow is of course, like most areas, not without its challenges but we’re working closely with the local community and other partners to continually look at how we can make Port Glasgow an even better place to live, work, visit and do business."
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