Ayr residents could be forgiven for taking an announcement on the regeneration of the town centre with a pinch of salt.
Over the last decade various schemes have been planned, paid for and then discarded as disagreement over the way forward scuppered progress.
But council leader Peter Henderson believes that the passing of plans for the gap site at the north end of the High Street at the third attempt and the completion of demolition work at Burns House is not just another false dawn.
The two sites are microcosms of the broader challenges facing the town.
At one end you have a gap site that will be developed into an open space which, amongst other things, will frame two of Ayr’s most enduring assets – the historic Town Hall and the River Ayr itself.
Meanwhile, the other end of town has finally seen the last of Burns House – the 1960s eyesore that was home to council offices.
Work is expected to begin on the riverside site in a matter of weeks and will, councillor Henderson insists, create an exciting gateway into the centre of town.
He pointed to work being carried out at the Town Hall and the moves towards a core part of the historical quarter fleshed out with a museum and archives.
“The project will open the town and the river up," he said, adding that it would also reclaim a bit of the town’s economic history.
“In old days the fish would have been landed at this section and brought over to market.”
As well as getting better view of the hitherto cramped Town Hall, the new public space will be used for ‘entertainment, walking, use of the river and just relaxing’. The council also hope to get local artists involved, creating statues, murals and other public artworks.
“It will open up a vista, help join up the town and let this Class A listed building be seen for what it is. People will get that fantastic view."
One of the starkest issues facing Ayr has been the loss of Debenhams and Hourstons – massive shops no longer viable in a world ruled by Amazon and other online retailers.
One approach to address this is the idea of momentum – creating distinct areas that draw different demographics into town to do different things.
Mr Henderson said: “Ayr is no different from any other town in Scotland. We have to repurpose our town centres. Online shopping is the main thing now. Ayr simply has too much shop space."
Speaking separately, depute council leader Brian McGinley, homed in on Newmarket Street as an example of vibrant small businesses.
“We are keen to get Newmarket Street up and running as having the best independent businesses in Britain.
“What I have picked up over years is that it needs to be a destination. Changed from a time when people would go into town and shop on a Saturday. They don’t do that now.
“They need different reasons to come into town centres. We look at different family units – if the family want to go swimming, then mum and dad go to the theatre at night, they can make a day of it and do different things. There also needs to be wet weather attractions to give people things to do."
While progress has been frustratingly slow, there are clear indications of how the administration hopes to continue.
The council leader points to the development of the Grain Exchange as an example of the progress being made. The High Street building provides a space which – post pandemic restrictions – should be bustling with markets and other public events.
As you make your way towards the other end of town, the absence of those megastores becomes impossible to miss.
Debenhams, which had been at the heart of the £75m Ayr Central complex, closed earlier this year.
Nearby Hourstons, a landmark in the town since opening in 1896, was another massive loss to the town in 2019.
However, its closure did open up an opportunity for another keystone of the regeneration project – a new leisure centre which will provide an easier to access replacement for the Citadel. Boutique cinema group Arc Cinemas have also signed up to breath life into the nearby Kyle Centre.
And, of course, the Gaiety Theatre sits close by.
Councillor Henderson said that the response to the leisure centre plans has been positive, but acknowledged that getting blanket approval for the entire regeneration plan was all but impossible.
“It is a common dilemma – some people want change, but they don’t want change,” he declared.
“Of course, we do consult with and listen to the public. But there is a balance to be struck.
“Many people don’t realise that there are certain things we cannot do, particularly when it comes to land that is privately owned.”
Councillor McGinley added: "The population of Ayr is conservative with a small ‘c’ and don't want to see change. Change becomes a bit of a quagmire. Getting there just takes a lot longer. Up in Glasgow they would just be firing ahead."
The vision for Burns Statue Square has been boosted by the demolition of Burns House. However, the final picture is still blurred, with the Odeon still to consider the future of their premises and the Station Hotel casting a shadow, both figuratively and literally over the area.
Councillor Henderson insisted that there are more to the plans than physically creating and supporting attractions.
He pointed to the difficulties faced by visitors who do not know Ayr well.
For him, the introduction of simple signposting is a small but key factor in the future success of the town, not to mention its environmental aims.
“We want to get people out of their cars. Just by having simple signposting can show people that they may be better walking to the attractions in Ayr rather than driving,” he explained.
The current car parking consultation also has a vital role to play.
While many see free parking as a way to attract visitors, Cllr Henderson points out that, in order to get the maximum number of people visiting and spending in the town, there has to be a turnover when it comes to parking.
With free parking, he said, there is plenty of evidence to say that workers park their cars in the morning and take up the space for the full day.
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