The team behind the transformation of the former Trotters building in New Cumnock has revealed when it expects work to be complete.
The New Cumnock Development Trust (NCDT) is leading the redevelopment of the building on Castle, which has a total price tag of more than £2.5 million.
The Scottish Government has committed £1.8 million towards the remodelling and retrofitting of the property, while the UK Government contributed £182,073 from its Community Ownership Fund.
A detailed planning application for the work was lodged with East Ayrshire Council in August 2023 and was approved two months later.
Included in these plans will be a pop-up shop, café and work spaces.
The NCDT plans also include a facility for the repair, re-use and re-purposing of textiles, furniture, electronics and other household items as well as meeting space and 'hot desk' facilities.
READ MORE: Update on transformation plans for New Cumnock Trotters building
New training and apprenticeships opportunities are also set to be available at the new building.
The trust says the project is on course to be up and running by July 2025.
And with a busy year ahead before the building's opening, the trust says it's hugely excited at the potential benefits that can come from the building for the whole of New Cumnock.
Laura Pagan from NCDT said: "The regeneration of New Cumnock is happening and it will absolutely be here and it’s good for people to know that there’s people like us in the community fighting their corner.
"New Cumnock has been missing that. This place needs vital facilities.
"I think New Cumnock should be on a par with other communities and it’s about us building up a trust with people in the community to allow us to better the place.
"We’re moving forward with a lot of things and it will be great when the Trotters opens this time next year."
The building originally housed a draper's shop, the original Trotters, on the ground floor, with residential accommodation above.
Over the years a barber and a cobbler have also operated from the building.
READ MORE: Major funds boost for bid to transform decaying New Cumnock building
Laura has urged the community to focus on what could come from this development.
She added: "It’s been great to see phase one going through and actually seeing like some kind of change is happening.
"It’s important for people to realise that there might be a wee bit of disruption over the next year, with roads and stuff, but the benefits that will come from that will be well worth it
"The café and workshop and everything else involved in it will be amazing. Something like this can completely change the perception of New Cumnock.
"There will be skills and training and things, and there’s so much to come from it."
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