An empty building in Kilmarnock town centre could be converted into studios and shops for entrepreneurs if the council lands funding.
East Ayrshire Council hopes to convert the ‘white tile’ building in King Street into workspace for creative business people.
Officials at the council submitted an application for £650,000 to the Scottish Government’s regeneration capital grant fund in June to make it happen.
A report, which is due to be presented to cabinet this week, said: “The grant would be used to help transform a currently dormant space into a pioneering hatchery for a wide range of potential entrepreneurs from the local creative industries sector that are seeking a studio or workspace with access to a communal retail opportunity.”
The council would match the costs of the project by 50 per cent.
And the building would provide shop units on the ground floor with the upper levels offering workspace.
The Creative Industries Hub is one of three projects which have been put forward for the government funding.
There are also hopes to get £271,601 towards the construction of a new Shortlees health and wellbeing hub in partnership with Kilmarnock Amateur Weightlifting Club. Proposals would see a derelict building demolished in the area with a new hub erected in its place.
The council report said: “It is anticipated that as a result of working with the Kilmarnock Amateur Weightlifting Club the project will provide a facility that will have even greater impact on the health outcomes of the local residents.”
A third application is for the conversion of the old Kilmaurs Library into a community building with a kitchen and hall.
The council will find out in January if the money for the three bids has been granted.
Recent successful applications included the West of Scotland Climbing Centre in Kilmarnock’s Grange Church. The venture bagged £1.5m from the regeneration capital grant fund.
