AYR’S former Clydesdale Bank could be renamed ‘The Meal Market or Merchant Quay’ when it formally opens as an indoor market.

Discussion are ongoing regarding names for the building and the riverside area which are part of an extensive regeneration development in the town.

Allan Dorans informed members of the Fort, Seafield and Wallacetown community council these names had been shortlisted and the information would be fed back to the council.

Work to transform the old bank began last year after it was bought by Ayr Renaissance in March. The aim was to turn Ayr’s ‘largest pigeon hole’ into a thriving market. 

The plan is to create offices on the first floor leaving the ground floor empty for stalls and entertainment in a bid to bring the town back to life.

It is hoped it will feature food, drink and other business developments.

Former cllr Bill Grant said: “We want to expand behind the property and encourage international markets as well as continue to run events such as Tam Fest and Burns and Aw That. 

“Our intention is to get the place full.”

David Bell, managing director of Ayr Renaissance, previously said: “We want to turn it back into a market similar to one ‘Meal Market’ we saw in England which was bustling full of people.

“It is our aim to open up the ground floor and courtyard to create an indoor and outdoor market. If we get licensing for the upper floors of the building we could see 30-40 people in the building straight away.

“I think there will be a demand for this sort of thing.” It is hoped the new market will be up and running by 2017.