LOW GREEN REVOLUTION
Secret plot to transform the Ayr economy
Confidential talks are underway to finally develop seafront land that could be the saviour of the Ayr economy.
The vast Low Green could at last be opened up to private enterprise.
And there is confidence that an esplanade packed with indoor and outdoor amusements, restaurants and cafes could provide the golden nugget for the ailing town.
And a star feature like a permanet ‘ Ayr Eye’ big wheel could put the seafront on the map.
Top councillors including South Ayrshire Council leader Douglas Campbell are driving the bid.
It would effectively link the town to the beach and be a huge lure to thousands of people in the Central Belt.
And Conservative leader Martin Dowey said: “The esplanade is an asset we don’t use. “I would like to have a Costa or a Starbucks with a viewing deck.”
Secret plans to change the face of Ayr’s Low Green and make it an all year round destination are being hatched.
South Ayrshire Council bosses are looking to open new attractions on the so- called “sacred” Common Good ground.
Councillors gave officials the go- ahead to “develop plans for alternative facilities on the Low Green” during a private meeting.
It is understood the council have been trying to end leases with concrete kiosks in the seafront area.
But they have not released any details on what could replace them.
Councillors also voted to lift archaic rules to allow more operators such as fairgrounds to trade on the grassy expanse.
Ayr West Councillor Martin Dowey, Conservative, compared the current seafront to a scene from the 1960s.
He said: “We need to encourage people to come to Ayr to spend more money. The esplanade is an asset we don’t use.
“I would like to have a Costa or a Starbucks with a viewing deck.”
The council aim is to make more cash for the Ayr Common Good account and “make the esplanade a more attractive destination for residents and visitors all year round”.
It is hoped a greater number of events would take place on the green space.
A council spokesman said: “We want Ayr Esplanade and the Low Green to offer the best possible experience to locals and visitors. Proposals will go before councillors at a future date.”
The Low Green was originally used as common grazing land and it was a major tourist attraction during the Victorian era.
The land was granted by Royal Charter to Ayr Burgh in the 14th century.
During the First World War, the Royal Flying Corps were given permission to use the Low Green as a landing strip.
A private report looking at options for Low Green was first presented to councillors by the council’s director of place Donald Gillies in June.