Have your say on the Station Hotel’s future
Council bosses are to canvas public opinion on the future of the ailing Station Hotel.
It comes as a new study is launched to find a way ahead in the long running saga plaguing the town.
The hotel, which is privately owned, has been subject to a Dangerous Building Notice since March 2018.
Previous council estimates have put a potential overhaul at £10 million. But officials say they are keen to find a “longterm solution” due to the building’s “poor condition”.
The study will identify “potential future options”.
Viability, costs and heritage will all be taken into account, say council leaders.
Feedback kicked off on
Monday and runs until September 14 at www.southayrshire.gov.uk/consultations
Responses will form part of the study, which is set to be completed in the autumn.
Council leader Peter Henderson said: “This building sits at one of the town’s most important gateways, so we need to know what our options are, to help transform the area and make it more welcoming.
“It’s a privately-owned building, so there are processes we need to go through, but this study will give viable alternatives and capture public feeling.
“I would encourage people to get involved and submit their ideas.”
Bill Reeve, director of rail at Transport Scotland, added: “There is clearly an appetite to build excellent station facilities at Ayr station, one of ScotRail’s busiest, and we stand ready to provide further guidance as this plan progresses, however any plan must be realistic, credible and affordable in the current climate.”
But Ayr MSP John Scott warned: “As things stand, we have a hotel building continuing to crumble and a railway station in need of urgent and substantial investment.
“Rather than another timeconsuming consultation, priority should instead be given to trying to conclude any negotiations already underway, hopefully leading to a sale and investment in the historic building to allow it to be brought back into productive use at the earliest opportunity.”
It comes as talks continue between the council, stakeholders and former SNP MSP, Chic Brodie, in a bid to break the logjam.
Mr Brodie, who is representing the building’s current Malaysian-based owner, is acting in an official capacity to “facilitate a change in ownership” at the site.
We need to know what our options are to help transform the area and make it more welcoming