A new masterplan for the Ayr Riverside Block has been submitted to South Ayrshire Council (Scotland) by Ayr Renaissance.
Known as the Riverside Block between the medieval ‘Auld Brig’ and the Victorian ‘New Bridge’, the plans include demolishing the 1960’s retail development – most of which is now vacant – to put in its place a “festival building”, housing, offices and mixed retail.
Ayr is a town which has much going for it, the beach, historic fabric, healthy proportion of independent shops and vibrant arts scene to name just a few. The foundation for a healthy and vibrant town centre exists and Ayr Renaissance will implement projects and strategies along with town stakeholders to achieve this goal.
Ayr, like all towns in Scotland, has faced significant and continuing challenges resulting from the shifting economic and retail environment.
The result of this is a town centre which suffers from increased vacancy rates and a lack of private investment.
Ayr Renaissance LLP was formed by South Ayrshire Council in 2009 tasked with securing regeneration in the social, physical and economic environment of Ayr Town Centre. Please see the projects section of this website for further information on current work being undertaken.
The Chairman of Ayr Renaissance, James Knox, said: “The balance of the development depends on the added value created by the quality of the architecture, the welcome to the public afforded by the originality and openness of the plan and the content of the public realm. Getting these right is the key to unlocking long-term regeneration of the town centre for generations to come. Decades of blight could be swept away…”
Image credit: Ayr Renaissance