A plan topping £30 million to breathe fresh life into Ayr town centre will see hundreds of workers move into the former Hourstons department store.
Up to 350 health and social care staff will take up residence over a 6500sqm plot. Next door, the Arran Mall will be demolished and make way for an 'ageing well village' which will include a four storey block of 're-enablement' flats in a bid to clear hospital bed blocking.
Studio-type units will be supported by a day centre as part of a new four storey block. The proposed care village will boast both normal housing for older residents looking to downside, and those with "varying needs".
Council chiefs say between 75 and 90 homes - catering for up to 150 residents - will be built across their plans, with final drafts set to go before councillors for approval in October.
Care experienced accomodation - numbering four units - also forms part of the ambitious project sprawling over the Arran Mall site, which council chiefs plan to level after completing its purchase in the coming weeks.
Parking for 75 cars has also been earmarked, with bosses saying the original Hourstons frontage will be retained, although some demolition would take place at the back of the building to help make way for the care facilities.
The plans involve the relocation of South Ayrshire Health and Social Care teams from premises currently owned by the council.
Council leader Martin Dowey told the Ayrshire Post: "We all know that Ayr needs to reinvent itself as the town has been in decline for far too long. We need bespoke shops to come back and show people that we are open for business.
"In order to do that, we need to show businesses that we have plans and we are serious about them. This is a plan that puts serious footfall back into the town. Hundreds of people will be living and working within our town centre. It is exciting.
"What we've tried to do in the last year is show people that we're driving change. I'll speak to anyone who wants to come and invest in this area but we need to be doing our part as well. The town may have hit rock bottom - it's been easy to knock it and say it's in terminal decline - but now we can start that road to recovery."
The council's buildings and housing spokesman, Cllr Martin Kilbride, said: “This is an exciting proposal and one that could ultimately help traders in the town centre with an influx of staff, new residents and people coming into Ayr to access care services. In the meantime, we will concentrate on finalising the purchase of the Arran Mall which will be a significant milestone.”
Claire Burden, CEO of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, added: "This project is one of many that captures our commitment to partnership working. Developing our shared infrastructure in Ayr supports us in achieving those ambitions. This is an exciting project, and we will look forward to working with South Ayrshire Council to help maximise this opportunity for the benefit of the citizens of Ayr."
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