Ayrshire Daily News – Latest News & Updates

This week marks an exciting new chapter for Ayrshire’s specialty coffee scene as Espresso Kart opens the doors to its brand-new Prestwick Coffee Bar. Founded by Stuart and Lyndsey Pell, Espresso Kart began in 2018 with a single mobile coffee van and a simple mission: bring exceptional specialty coffee to Ayrshire. Since then, the independent family business has grown steadily, opening its first coffee bar in Kilmarnock in 2021, followed by a Prestwick takeaway bar in 2023. Now, just three...

North Ayrshire Council’s Capital Budget will deliver investment worth more than £324 million in the coming years to help support communities and residents. The Capital Budget supports investment in buildings, infrastructure and regeneration projects and the newly-approved programme will see a focus on a number of major developments across North Ayrshire. The rolling programme - approved by Elected Members yesterday (Wednesday 25 February) - will see investment in North Ayrshire’s roads, the...

North Ayrshire Council has approved its Budget for 2026/27 after a meeting of Elected Members. This was recognised as a particularly challenging budget to set as the Council had to deal with a major funding gap, particularly related to health and social care services. Following a series of votes, elected members agreed to raise Council Tax by 8.5 per cent from April. This is comparable with other Council Tax increases already approved in Scotland and reflects the determination to minimise any...

Nick Page, Chief Executive of Scotland's new national awarding body, Qualifications Scotland and Chief Examiner Donna Stewart visited SL33 in Kilmarnock recently to find out more about the service the team provide. Welcomed by Director of Education and Skills, Linda McAulay-Griffiths and Chief Executive Eddie Fraser - Nick and Donna met with Margorie Harvie, Skills and Learning Employability Manager, Ian Burgoyne, Assistant Director of Education and Skills, and the wider team that currently...