GIRVAN’S former cinema has been sold to a mystery owner.

Those who attended a public meeting to discuss the future of the property, which was once Vogue Cinema and later Omega Bingo, discovered that the owner had resold it.

This seems to have thrown a spanner in the works for active members of the community, including The Girvan Town Team as well as the community council who are determined to resolve the situation once and for all.

They are doing all they can to trace the new landlord in a bid to restore the building to its former glory. Patricia Watts, attended the meeting regarding the ‘terrible state’ of the property which sits on Dalrymple Street, on Tuesday, April 4.

Speaking after the meeting she said: “The person who we thought owned the old cinema actually resold it and now we need to find the new owner.
“Unless we get a hold of them we fear that the the council will not do anything about the situation.

“At the moment, we have just got to hold on.”

Fears are rife that the new proprietor will turn a blind eye on the project which requires a lot of work and attention.
Former Cllr Alec Oattes had informed members of the Girvan and District community council that he had received an email from the new company which had taken over the property. 

It had stated that their intent was to give an official announcement last month but this does not seem to have been the case.

Karen McCartney, had commented on past experiences, with building, which has been well documented over the years.

She had raised concerns that owners appeared to ‘reject responsibility upon learning of the work involved, or were served with orders sell the property on to avoid responsibility’.

The former cinema building was deemed structurally unsafe early this year with recent damage revealing that some parts of the front of the old cinema have fallen off. 

It has been lying vacant since October 2000 causing it to deteriorate and decay.

The wooden frames of the windows are allowing water to intrude and there is vegetation growth in places. 

In more recent years, it has been described as a pigeon shelter, with birds nesting inside.

It is hoped that once the new owner is traced, members of the community, will be able to get involved and help transform the site into a spotlight for the town.