A £21 million investment the regeneration of Kilmarnock town centre has been given the go-ahead by East Ayrshire Council.

As part of ambitious plans to get more people working and shopping in the town, the council will create new offices and refurbish existing council-owned properties.

The proposals include a council office campus of 800 jobs based in the refurbished Bond in the Strand, which will be completed early summer 2010, refurbishment of the civic buildings on John Dickie Street and a further office development in the town centre.

The aim to bring hundreds more council workers into the town on a daily basis is part of the "Kilmarnock: Building Our Future" regeneration strategy. New offices will be required and various options are being considered, including a new-build.

An office development at Strand Street, to house Social Works, Planning and Roads staff, is already under way.

Council leaders are also looking at plans to purchase the Scottish Enterprise building in Hill Street. This accommodation could be used till the new town centre office is ready. It would also enable the Council to retain some influence on future use of the nearby Johnnie Walker site.


Overall effect of these plans across East Ayrshire will be to increase the number of staff in both Kilmarnock and Cumnock town centres, while reducing the number of properties occupied from 24 to 16.

The Palace Theatre will undergo an extensive £3.5 million refurbishment, which will include renovating the stonework and roof. Added to work to bring the interior up to standard, this will make the Palace a star venue to attract the best entertainment acts to Kilmarnock.

The town’s landmark Civic Centre buildings will also be refurbished to bring the offices up to modern-day standards, in works costing £10 million.

The success of the illumination of the viaduct will be continued with further floodlighting work planned for St Joseph’s Church, Riccarton Church and the Old High Church. Street furniture and statues in King Street will be lit and an ambitious plan to illuminate historic Bank Street has also been agreed.

The pedestrian route between Kilmarnock Railway Station and the central shopping area will be improved, making it more attractive to shoppers.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: "I am delighted that we are going ahead with these exciting plans for the regeneration of Kilmarnock town centre. We have outstanding buildings, such as the Palace Theatre and historic streets like Bank Street, which well deserve due care and attention.

"Eight hundred office workers in the town centre will have a direct effect on the retail traders in the town centre and we hope this will help them maintain their businesses. Making Kilmarnock more attractive will bring in extra shoppers and create a vibrant town centre we all want to live in, work in and enjoy."

(GK/BMcc)