The charity behind the restoration of Prestwick's much-loved Broadway cinema have appointed a full time project development officer.
Kyle Macfarlane has taken up the role thanks to funding from the Scottish Land Fund, which also allowed them to buy the building.
The move makes Kyle the Broadway's first employee in almost 50 years.
Prestwick-born Kyle has been part of the Friends of the Broadway volunteer team for more than five years and, the charity says, brings a wealth of passion and enthusiasm for the project.
The Art Deco gem on Prestwick’s Main Street is fondly remembered by generations of Ayrshire cinemagoers.
It's being brought into community ownership after the Scottish Land Fund confirmed in December that it was awarding £328,060 to the project.
The building will be redeveloped into a cinema, multi-purpose entertainment venue, and inclusive space that will benefit the whole community.
Professor Guy Walker, chair of the Friends of the Broadway, said: "It is my great pleasure to introduce you to the Broadway Cinema’s first employee in almost 50 years.
"As part of our funding to acquire the Broadway cinema we also received funding for a project development officer.
"An open recruitment process was run to find the ideal candidate, with shortlisting and interviews completed by local human resources consultants, and I am delighted to welcome Kyle into the role.
"In the language of human resources this post had to be ‘passion led’, and no one is more passionate about the Broadway than Kyle.
"Kyle resigned as director prior to applying for this role, but has acquired considerable experience in marketing, events, heritage preservation, media, and community and stakeholder engagement.
"All of this combined with his experience in customer service and tourism makes him the ideal person to help us bring the Broadway back.
"Kyle is now working full time on securing the funding required to restore the Broadway and is currently based at the offices of Regency FM at Prestwick Airport.
"Friends of the Broadway Prestwick are an accredited Living Wage Employer and an incredible personal and professional journey now awaits our ‘employee number one’."
Kyle said: "It’s impossible to summarise what this appointment means to me and I am beyond excited to get started.
"Becoming the Broadway Cinema's first employee in almost half a century is an incredible honour.
"Since joining the project five years ago I have completely fallen in love with the building, the ethereally evocative atmosphere it still holds today, and the unlimited potential it holds for our community.
"It's amazing how passionate you can become about something that, to many, may simply appear to be a derelict building.
"The Broadway is a remarkable survivor and preserving the rich cultural heritage and historical significance is brings to our town is the greatest driving force behind my own energy and enthusiasm for the project.
"Seeing others fall in love with the Broadway as I have will never grow old, and what we can create together will have a lasting impact on our community for generations to come.
"Thank you all for sharing the same passion and for your everlasting support.
"I can't wait to welcome you to your newly re-opened cinema in the not-so-distant future."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here