A BRAND new licensed restaurant is on its way to Ayr at the former RBS.

The Growler, which is run by the same company who own Meridian and the Ayrshire & Galloway Hotel, will open on Beresford Terrace.

They applied for a licence to allow for a bar and restaurant with a beer garden on the ground floor of the old bank which was granted by the Licensing Board last week.

Kenneth MacPherson addressed the board on behalf of The MacPherson Family Partnership.

Mr MacPherson said: “We bought the former RBS eight years ago and had intended to lease the ground floor out as a shop and have upstairs offices.

“But we did not get any interest so we decided to open it as a pub. We own Meridian and the Ayrshire & Galloway who produce food.”

Cllr Bob Pollock asked: “How will the external areas be managed?”

The Growler will be opened daily from 11am until 1am for on sales and 11am until 10pm for off sales.

The restaurant will provide bar meals, receptions, club meetings, recorded music, live performances, dance facilities, theatre, films, gaming, indoor/outdoor sports, televised sport along with outdoor drinking areas.

Mr Macpherson responded: “We intend to make that a meeting and drinking area but we will manage it as someone will be in the area at all operational hours.

“We have a CCTV system in that area too.”

Children and young people will be allowed in The Growler to have a meal or a snack until 10pm provided they are accompanied by an appropriate adult.

There will be a capacity of 100 people when The Growler opens in Spring 2018. They are already looking for members of staff and encourage those who are interested to send their CV and covering letter to info@growlerayr.co.uk