Spicy chicken lovers could be sinking their teeth into a delicious Nando’s – as the South-African restaurant chain is being tipped for a move to Ayr High Street.
Industry insiders say the chain are “interested” in a potential move to the Kyle Centre, as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment plan.
Ayrshire Live revealed on Friday that a deal was struck to transform the former shopping mall into an eight-screen cinema with associated food and beverage outlets, as well as an indoor golf complex and soft play area.
Although developers are being tight-lipped about the costs, the redevelopment is expected to top £5m.
Now the race is on to see which restaurant chains pitch-up as part of the new cinema project.
Other big names being linked with a move to Ayr includes KFC and Wagamama.
Ayrshire Live understand that “high-level conversations” with a number of food and beverage outlets are already taking place.
However, sources close to the project insist that the cinema part of the redevelopment “must be signed-off” before big chain restaurants show their intentions.
One well-placed source said: “We are all waiting for the return of some normality in the leisure world but in the interim some high level conversations will be had with F&B (food and beverage) operators and we hope to move matters forward in the near future.
“In order to generate any traction with restaurant or other leisure offers, the cinema has to be signed.
“But with the entire leisure market being impacted by COVID, there does need to be a review of who is in or out of the market- that is ongoing.”
The cinema plan had previously been touted for Ayr town centre for several years but those schemes proved to be false dawns.
However, this latest attempt seems to have more traction and credibility.
Providing all the planning consents are in place, construction work is expected to begin in 2023.
The ambitious project is being viewed as the ideal scheme to “complement” South Ayrshire Council’s Hourstons/Arran Mall proposals.
New lease holders, Irish-based Arc Cinema, will now team up with developer and investor, Squarestone Asset Management, and set about the task of transforming the former shopping complex into a leisure destination.
And it seems Brian Gilligan, director at Melcorpo, which runs The Arc Cinema, has done his homework on what Ayr needs leisure-wise.
Another insider said: “What really struck a chord was that of all the bidders, Brian Gilligan, of The Arc Cinema, was the only cinema operator who took the time to visit Ayr, stay over and he then presented what he wished his company to do in Ayr to members of the council.
“The sense of community connection needs to start from the owners and that enables projects to be delivered.”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/
