Outline plans have been lodged to transform a landmark building close to the centre of Ayr.

A combination of retail, food and drink and residential use is planned for the former Ayr Grammar Primary School building.

The local Coughtrie business family bought the property last year, saying they planned to turn the building, on the corner of Midton Road and Carrick Road, into a "unique destination" as part of their family business operation.

The property was put up for sale by South Ayrshire Council in March 2021. It was sold to a private developer later that year, but those plans fell through, leading to the authority putting it back on the market.

Proposals have now been lodged on South Ayrshire Council's planning portal, although no documents have been submitted yet. 

The plan is for a "change of use, alterations and extension of former primary school to form new Class 1 retail, Class 3 food and drink, and residential dwellings and flats, formation of vehicle access and parking, associated works and landscaping".

The stone-built, category C-listed former primary school was built in 1909, and the separate schoolhouse, of similar vintage and construction, comprises three rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.

The property was put up for sale by South Ayrshire Council in March 2021.

It was sold to a private developer later that year, but those plans fell through, leading to the authority putting it back on the market in the autumn of the following year.

The family already owns several businesses in the town, with one of them, Cafe 51, located just across the road from the school building.

Confirming the purchase of the property in July 2023, the Coughtries said: "The retail offering in Ayr, like many town centres has declined since the 80s; it is our intention to develop the iconic Grammar building under the family business into a unique destination."

Within weeks of the building being listed for sale almost three years ago, a company was set up with an eye on purchasing the building and turning it into a 'Museum of Ayrshire'.

However the group behind those plans criticised the council for not supporting its idea.