Railway hotel: What will happen to Auchinleck building

Since then, the once popular wedding venue and restaurant has served as a reminder of the devastating impact on the industry brought on by the pandemic.

People from across the area have been wondering what's next for the iconic building.

We asked you, our readers, to tell us what you think should be the next step.

There were some left field shouts, but one answer stood out above the rest.

Here's what you had to say.

McDonald's

McDonald's (Google Maps)

People in Auchinleck, Cumnock and the surrounding areas have to drive to Ayr or Kilmarnock for their fix from the fast food restaurant.

With the empty Railway restaurant allowing for plenty of room, it would certainly be a roomy McDonald's, if that was the route chosen for the building.

Mhairi Cameron said: "McDonald's. I'm sick wanting one but can't. My son went to Kilmarnock the other day on the bus and got him to pick up 8 cheeseburgers before he left."

Wetherspoons

Wetherspoons

Another shout was for the building to be transformed into a Wetherspoons pub.

Again, people around here will find themselves in Ayr or Kilmarnock before they find their nearest Wetherspoons.

There had been rumours that the popular chain was due to make an appearance in Cumnock, so it may not be long before we see it in this neck of the woods.

Āmber Ānn Cowān commented: "Would be a great Wetherspoons… but only if they moved the toilets to a location much further away."

Soft play area

Image- Daniel Mumby

The empty building would certianly serve as a spacious and entertaining soft play area.

Again, without having one local, it could be a good idea to make the most of the space afforded by the Railway Hotel building and turn it into a place where kids can go wild.

Jaymaleexo Brown said: "A well needed softplay area for the kids."

Laura Barker agreed, adding: "It's definitely well needed. Apart from the events the vibrant communities put on at the Boswell centre, there's nothing for wee kids here."

New Garlaff Landfill Site

(perhaps slightly tongue in cheek)

Garlaff (Google maps)

With uncertainty remaining around the future of the Garlaff landfill site due to Barr's heavy tax fine, there was talk of redundancies and the site closing.

READ MORE: Jobs on the line as Garlaff landfill to shut following £100million fine

William McCartney believes he had the perfect solution.

He said: "Think Garlaff coup would be perfect here, easy access for the locals."

Snooker club

Snooker club

Another option for the vacant site was to transform it into a glorious snooker club.

It certainly has the space to hold a plentiful supply of tables, so who knows if that's what the future holds for the building.

Martin Withers simply commented: "Snooker club" (with some smiley face emojis).

Restore it

Railway Hotel (Photo credit: Leslie Barrie)

By far the most popular opinion from our readers was to return the building to its former glories as a wonderful wedding venue, restaurant and bar.

Despite its age, said to be around 200 years old, the building is not listed and there has been some concern that it could end up being demolished, though there is nothing yet to say that this will be the case.

Once a thriving venue for birthdays, wedding anniversaries and everything in between, could the Railway Hotel return to that state in the future?

Raymond Davidson said: "A great hotel. Hopefully it will be like the phoenix and arise from the ashes of the lockdown."

Moira Oliver added: "Keep it..its been brilliant for functions and as restaurant and pub..no need for change."

Rona Lorimer agreed with this: "Railway Hotel should stay as it is and be back to a good restaurant."

Do you have any other suggestions about the future of the building? Let us know in the comments.