Farmfoods site ready for Xmas
Development will transform town centre
The new Farmfoods and five new shops in the centre of Cumnock will be open by Christmas, it has been announced.
Cumnock’s long regeneration journey has taken a great leap forward with the completion of foundations and start of steelwork erection at the Farmfoods site.
East Ayrshire Council leader councillor Douglas Reid is pictured with Cumnock councillors, Jim McMahon, Billy Crawford, Jacqui Todd and Walter Young as they met site manager Michael McLaughlin of Braithwaite Group who are building the new 10,000sqft shop unit together with five additional units for rent.
It’s a move that will transform the centre of Cumnock, bringing additional parking and new shops on the site of the former Glaisnock shopping centre.
Designed to fit in with the local architecture, and blending in with the town’s historic buildings and the parade of seven shops built on Townhead Street by East Ayrshire Council, the new development will bring a fresh look to the town.
Council leader Douglas Reid said: “To get this development underway is the icing on the cake, the final piece in the jigsaw, a whole new look for Cum no ck Town Centre. Par t of the development includes a new path along the river, linking to the footbridge to Rothesay House, opening up new access and providing a pleasant oasis.”
Ward councillor Jacqui Todd said the project will bring economic and social benefits to the town.
“For Cumnock this is going to promote business back into the town, cater for all incomes, widen choice and provide job,” she added
Councillor Jim McMahon said: “To have a new store, twice the size, will be a big boost – shopkeepers have missed the footfall it brought and the five new shops should be a good draw too.”
Councillor Billy Crawford insisted there has been huge improvements in Cumnock thanks to the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme ( CARS) projects which included the renovated hotels, Rothesay House, the Town Hall, and new social housing in Ayr Road.
He added; “And there will be more to come, the new school will be next.”
Councillor Walter Young said: “People are becoming more enthusiastic about the town and the area in general and I notice a difference in attitude thanks to the work that’s already been done.”
Marion Gilliland, chairwoman of Cumnock Business Association, said there are still issues to tackle in the town and added: “It will change the Streetscape for the better and give a great boost to all the long established businesses that work so hard.”