The iconic Hourstons building in Ayr could soon be in the hands of the council as bosses get close to sealing a deal.
South Ayrshire Council will splash out £621,500 on purchasing the former department store.
Planners want to knock down a chunk of the building to make way for a £40 million swimming pool on the Arran Mall site.
The front of the historic listed shop would be retained.
A paper at the latest council Leadership Panel said: “The negotiations to buy the former Hourstons building are now at an advanced stage and with it a clearer understanding of the final costs.”
The report said it will cost about £621,500 to cover the price of the acquisition and other charges.
Councillor Philip Saxton said “part” of the Hourston’s building will be knocked down.
The plan is to replace the Citadel with a new town centre leisure hub.
Labour councillor Saxton, responsible for housing, added: “The Citadel is not fit for purpose. It is better to invest in a new building.”
He said there is a possibility the Citadel would be demolished after the new leisure centre opens. Social housing could be built on the site.
Hourstons closed last year after more than a century of trading with the loss of 81 jobs.
It first opened its doors in Ayr in 1896 and boasted a roof garden in its heyday.
The council received money to buy Hourstons from a Scottish Government Town Centre Fund.
It was allocated about £1 million from the fund last year.
A total of £314,000 of the cash will be spent on Maybole regeneration while about £640,000 will go towards revitalising Ayr.
