End of the line for the Station Hotel?
We ask readers for their views on the future of iconic site
Do you want the Station Hotel to be saved from being flattened?
That is the question from the Ayrshire Post, which is running a survey this week to find out whether people want it returned to its former glory.
The crumbling wreck in Ayr could be demolished unless there is public support for a major refurbishment.
It needs a £ 10million cash injection just to make the building’s structure safe.
It is widely believed that it is up to South Ayrshire Council to step in and salvage the listed hotel built in 1885.
Deputy council leader Brian McGinley, responsible for town centre regeneration, said: “It will cost £ 10m just to get it up to a reasonable standard of safety. It will be tens of millions to bring it back into use.
“I personally think we should try to save it. It is an iconic building. But the only way we are going to do it is if people want that.
“If public money is to be spent on it we need to find out how important it is to local people. It will cost a lot. We need to look at the top end of the town. Burns House wi l l b e demolished and the double roundabout needs to be dealt with.
“Is the Station Hotel the jewel in the crown for the top of the town or is it in the way? There is a strong possibility it could be demolished because of the huge cost to save it. We can’t let the status quo continue.”
Malaysian businessman Eng Huat Ung bought the iconic pile for £ 750,000 in 2010.
It has been placed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.
Network Rail had to undertake emergency works to the railway side of the building to protect the line.
Building boss Robin Ghosh, of Econstruct, wants South Ayrshire Council to adopt the French Renaissance style hotel for offices. He believes it could be home to shops and cafes as well as staff. G i v e y o u r thoughts on the future of the building a t : w w w . dailyrecord. co. uk/ news/ local- news/ future- ayrsstationhotelup10827074.