Council Secures £481k for Venue Upgrades and Community Projects

South Ayrshire Council has been awarded £481,000 through the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme.

Photo: Troon Concert & Walker Halls (South Ayrshire Council)

Funding will support upgrades at Ayr Town Hall and Troon’s Concert and Walker Halls. New audio, visual and production equipment will bring the venues up to modern standards.

The Council expects the improvements to help increase footfall in town centres and provide wider benefits to hospitality and local businesses.

These halls host a wide range of community events such as concerts, fundraising activities, weddings, ceremonies, markets, exhibitions, awards events and meetings.

Planned upgrades aim to expand the variety of events that can be delivered and create further income opportunities for the Council.

PBIP funding will also support the relocation of the ‘Poet and Scholar’ sculpture by Scottish artist Doug Cocker from Ayr High Street to Rozelle Park.

The artwork is currently partially obscured, and the move is expected to improve public appreciation alongside existing sculptures already in the park.

A further £73,466 will be made available for community groups, organisations and businesses to apply for grants of £10,000 or more.

Eligible projects must support Place Principles, including 20-minute neighbourhoods, Community Wealth Building and Community Led Action Plans.

South Ayrshire Council’s Depute Leader and Policy Lead for Commercial/Operational Services, Councillor Alec Clark, said: “I’m delighted that the Council has received funding to allow us to support events, culture, and tourism in South Ayrshire.”

He continued: “Upgrading our venues is an important step towards expanding our own provision of events and encouraging a wider range of bookings in our fantastic halls, with wider benefits to town centre regeneration. The investment of funding in arts, culture, and events projects shows our continued dedication to promoting South Ayrshire as a destination of choice and a hub of great entertainment.”