Council ready to make a move
Further safety concerns for Station Hotel
The council is poised to swoop on the Station Hotel to undertake emergency repairs it is claimed. Collapsing ceilings and water leakage have led to a further deterioration in the fabric of the Victorian pile.
Now it is understood South Ayrshire Council bosses want to step in before it is too late.
It is believed a last minute paper may go before councillors at full council in County Buildings on Thursday.
The paper would ask politicians to approve the repair work.
The council slapped a Dangerous Building Notice on the hotel in March, which gave the owners 21 days to respond.
There are fears Ayr train station could end up shut if no action is taken.
And it has been slammed a risk to the public.
The Post revealed earlier this month how the hotel has been bought by new Malaysian owners from Eng Huat Ung.
Station Hotel Action Group founder Esther Clark believes the hotel could be turned into a community centre and accomodation.
She said it should be “split up and dispersed” but must generate an income.
She has uncovered research, which reveals the hotel was built to a “high standard” with luxurious materials.
One idea mooted by Ayr Renaissance is for a part of the building to be demolished and a new train station built.
Others folk have called for the council to adopt the landmark for offices.
It was hoped a big hotel group would step in and carry out refurbishment but it has failed to attract interest so far.
Network Rail carried out scaffolding work on the building to safeguard the operation of the station and line in 2015.
The hotel, a Grade 2 listed building, has remained shut since it closed suddenly in 2013.
Glasgow and South- Western Railway Company built the hotel, designed in the style of a French chateau, at a cost of £ 50,000.