QUEENS Court in Ayr could become the permanent venue for FreshAyr’s ‘pop up’ events throughout the year. 

Organisers are ‘90 per cent sure’ that with the right support their plans to take over the former shopping centre will be successful.

They are continuing their mission to encourage collective authorship between artisans, crafters and artists across the different creative disciplines in a sustainable circular economy.

FreshAyr want to provide opportunities for creative professionals to engage with communities to nurture creativity that builds confidence and fosters respectful neighbourhoods.

Robert Singer, initiator and chairman of the voluntary organisation ‘FreshAyr’, said: “We are 90 per cent sure we are going to purchase Queens Court.

“We have have quite a lot of feedback about Queens Court but we are going to need a lot of support but we can support from the Ayr Renaissance.

“We want to employ people in our town but we can’t do that until there are jobs to give out. If we can make this work we can make our area thrive.”

Their vision seeks to establish a network of cultural spaces and creative hubs that provides sound reasons for creative graduates, culture enthusiasts, shoppers and international visitors to spend quality time in South Ayrshire.

‘Awards for All funding’ has been received to assist the regeneration process which will allow them to engage with Community Links Scotland who along with Collective Architecture will look at the best opportunities for developing a business plan and architectural strategy for permanent spaces to establish cultural venues. 

This will focus on empty stores on the Sandgate, Newmarket Street, including the old toy shop, Hope Street and the south side of the High Street at the bottom of Ayr.

Historically Queens Court was the site of the former country club.
Robert continued: “We want to use any shop that is empty in this spot.

We want to be able to use it for yoga classes, art galleries, music venues and studio space.

“Above all we want to bring people into the town. There are so many young people you have moved away to the cities because there is nothing for them to do here or for them to come back to. We want to be more like the capital cities which are full of culture. 

There are also plans for a cafe bar which will use local produce but will not have a set menu in order to prevent food waste.

Robert added: “We want to offer Scottish, English, French and Japanese breakfasts. The idea is to reduce food waste and offer healthier meals. 

“Our plans are always growing. We need to start at the beginning so we can continue to develop.