The fire which almost destroyed Ayr’s iconic Station Hotel last week has underlined the urgency required to bring the building back into use, say a preservation group.
That’s the view of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, who’ve long championed a rescue plan at the hotel site in Station Road.
The organisation want new life to be breathed back into the empty building and they are seeking access consent from South Ayrshire Council in order to conduct an external survey.
Given the events of last weekend, the need for a fresh survey could now be viewed as ‘more pressing.’
In the wake of Sunday’s fire, two 17 year-old males were arrested in charged in connection with the incident and will appear in court at a later date.
SAVE Britain’s Heritage hope the building’s close shave will refocus attempts on all sides to save the B-listed structure.
A statement from the group read: “News of the suspected arson attack on the historic Ayr Station Hotel highlights the urgency of bringing this important town centre building back into use as soon as possible.
“It is extremely concerning that despite its protective encapsulation, it appears intruders were able to gain access and cause damage to this landmark building.
“Thankfully the fire was swiftly brought under control thanks to the rapid and diligent response of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”
Council chiefs have shelled out £60,000 per month on protective scaffolding since they assumed control of the site under a Dangerous Building Notice in 2018.
And in May last year Ayrshire Live told how South Ayrshire’s new council leader, Martin Dowey, pledged to demolish the hotel — if he couldn’t get the building’s Malaysian owner, Eng Huat Ung, round a negotiating table for talks over its future.
Since then, however, no tangible progress has been made.
Then, in December, South Ayrshire Council agreed to proceed with demolition of the south section of the building- if its owner didn’t step in to ensure its safety- or an alternative plan wasn’t made.
The timescale for demolition has not been announced. However, Council Leader Martin Dowey has previously warned: “Time hasn’t run out yet, but it is fast running out.”
SAVE Britain’s Heritage, though, want to conduct a structural report - before any bulldozers appear on the horizon.
This, they say, will help them come up with an “external repair plan” which might give the site the kiss of life. Their statement ends: “The condition of the hotel has not been officially surveyed since 2018.
“SAVE Britain’s Heritage has published a rescue plan for the category B-listed building, and is working with historic building engineer Ed Morton to gain the necessary access consents from South Ayrshire Council to undertake a structural survey and external repair plan to enable the removal of the current scaffolding and encapsulation.”
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