Council to splash £400,000 on Ayr town centre to 'entice' shoppers

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Council chiefs are set to splash almost half a million on Ayr as part of a new vision for the town centre.A total of £417,000 will be splurged on four projects across the heart of the town.

The projects form part of the Ayr Town Centre Framework which aims to transform the heart of the town over the next 10 years.Ayr's new cinema Astoria Ayr will see a slice of the funds with £70,000 awarded to help transform the front of the historic picture house.

The iconic Burns Statue Square building is in need of a facelift and new owners Merlin Cinemas have been given a boost from the local authority to cover the cost of the external refurbishment.Elsewhere, funds of £220,000 will be made available to traders as part a shop front improvement scheme.The funds will be eligible to business and property owners, as well as tenants, in a bid to help them spruce up their shop fronts.Newmarket Street is also set to undergo a major revamp, with businesses and traders to receive £90,000, to improve branding/ signage urban dressing, and lighting.Finally, bosses will spend the remaining £35,000 to help deliver a range of events, exhibitions and activities at the Cutty-Sark and the Grain Exchange.

It is hoped that investment in the popular venues will help increase footfall in the High Street.Councillor Bob Pollock, economic development portfolio holder for South Ayrshire Council said: “This is a welcome boost for Ayr. "While the Ayr Town Centre Framework provides a route map for the next ten years, it’s vital that we continue to support smaller projects and initiatives that help make a difference to businesses and the wider community.”Councillor Alec Clark, tourism, culture and rural affairs portfolio holder said: “These projects might be