Ayrshire’s Save the Station Hotel

As a retired railwayman who started my career at Ayr in the office of the manager who had responsibility for all stations in Ayrshire, I wish to put my views forward on the Station Hotel.

The yearly highlight was the social event held around Christmas in the magnificent dining or ballroom, attended by staff and partners.

My vision of the future would be as follows:

The snapshot section in your paper to the kitchen end could be repaired and refurbished as a smaller, modern upmarket hotel.

The kitchens could perhaps be reduced in size and there is ample car parking space for residents.

With regard to the rest of the building, I am sure the waiting room, toilets and platform staff offices could be accommodated in the ground floor of the last area, manager’s offices on platform one.

As for the rest of the structure, with the exception of the railway booking office and staff accommodation which is in an ideal situation, it could be redeveloped on the lines suggested by Robin Ghosh of Econstruct with perhaps a cafe and delicatessen with doors at both sides but I would hesitate to include other shops in view of the vast amount of traffic and travelling public serving the station.

I feel something on those lines would be ideal but, of course, it is all dependent on the powers that be.

I would certainly be vexed to see it all demolished. development.

We have the opportunity to save and make meaningful use an iconic building and to make a lasting, worthwhile and attractive development on the Riverside which will attract business and commerce to the town. arranged by the late WH Dunlop of Doonholm between the band and the then Ayr Ice Hockey Club, which I had the pleasure of playing in.

It was a very hard- fought and robust game, the score of which I cannot remember.

It would be interesting to know if the present band had relations playing in that team.

The game was played at the old ice rink in Beresford Terrace.

There are already flats at the foot of Grangemuir Road, just a stone’s throw from the proposed new build, and they clearly add to the seafront look.

I read that our council planners recommended approval of the plot but it is the planning panel which have voted against, perhaps swayed by the 40 objectors who, in my opinion, are putting self- interest before something that could reinvigorate a sad seafront spectacle.

Prestwick beach is in the sorriest state I have ever seen in my 60 years living in the town.

I remember as a child when it was hard to find a prime spot on the golden sands during the summer months.

Now the once picturesque beach is full of rubble and weeds, the most uninviting of sights.

Hey, but let’s not change anything. Prestwick seafront is dying on its feet. Let’s keep it that way.