Setback for Carrick Hotel reopening plan

A plan to re- open The Carrick Hotel after more than a decade has been put on the backburner.

James O’Neill Dunlop had applied for a new license for the historic Maybole watering hole – under the name The Carrick – after purchasing it earlier this year.

But there won’t be a pint pulled in the former hotel any time soon after a dispute over potential noise delayed the plan.

Councillors at South Ayrshire Council’s licensing panel last week decided to call for a site visit before they grant Mr Dunlop’s license.

He told the panel: “I bought 15 Whitehall with the intention of restoring it as a pub and restaurant.

“I believe there is a demand for the bar in the town.

“I don’t believe there’s an over provision in the area, as two of the premises shown have not operated for some time.”

Jane McCulloch, who lives close to the address of the former hotel, objected to Mr Dunlop’s plan over fears it would prevent her from sleeping.

The watch manager at Maybole fire station suffers from health complaints which make it difficult for her to sleep – and she feared people’s lives would be at risk if the pub plan went ahead.

She told the panel: “I have to make life and death decisions.

“If I don’t get enough sleep, or end up with sleep deprivation, I couldn’t make the right decision.”

The dispute between the two threatened to derail the discussion of the plan, but panel chair Councillor Anne Galbraith stepped in to restore order.

She moved for the panel to make a site visit to learn more about the location of Mrs McCulloch’s home and the proposed pub site ahead of next month’s panel meeting.

Councillors also expressed concerns about Mr Dunlop’s business plan, which stated children would be allowed in all areas of the property, although he told the panel they would only be permitted in certain areas at certain times.

The Carrick plan will go before councillors again next month.