THE WHEELS are now in motion for the re-opening of Ayr's historic Station Hotel.

That's after the new owners, Station Hotel Ayr Holdings Ltd, were granted a provisional booze licence.

It means plans to open the hotel as a 71-bedroom facility with a bar and restaurant are firmly on track.

And that could see the iconic facility open as soon as next month - a year and a half after it closed down - after haulier Bryce Johnston agreed a lease on the building.

Solicitor Joanne Miller, acting on behalf of Station Hotel Ayr Holdings Ltd, said: "The Station Hotel is quite an iconic building in the area. It has been closed for some time which has been regarded as quite a shame. It has been part of Ayrshire's history for so long.

"This hotel does stand out from others in the area. It would be a hotel and obviously we would have restaurant and bar facilities.

"If a licence were granted the premises would not be able to open until such time as certificates were eceived from Building Standards and Environmental Health.

"If the board were not inclined to licence the premises then the owner would have to look at an alternative use."

South Ayrshire Council's licensing board provisionally agreed to allow the hotel to sell alcohol between 10am and 10pm every day.

Plans for the hotel include hosting receptions, club meeting, recorded music, live performances, dance facilities, theatre, films, indoor and outdoor sports, and televised sport.

The provisional licence doesn't allow for outdoor drinking.

Children will be allowed entry when accompanied by an adult, having a meal, attending a function or staying at the hotel.

The board granted the licence against the advice of NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Dr Sonya Scott, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the health board said: "There is strong evidence of an association between levels of alcohol availability in a population and levels of alcohol related harm.

"One of the most effective ways of reducing both alcohol-related harm and also socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol-related harm is to reduce alcohol availability."

But Councillor Andy Campbell said: "If a provisional licence will allow investment in this building then I'm all for it.

"They won't allow the building to open until it's safe to do so."

And Councillor Rita Miller added: "I think it would be a good idea if we took the attitude that it is worthwhile giving the provisional licence.

"It does look as if it would be an enormous investment that's required."