THE community group that runs Coylton's village hall is set to disband - placing the future of the facility and the post office at the venue into doubt.

The Coylton Community Association (CCA) announced the decision following a meeting last week.

The café at the hall has already closed as a result of the CCA's decision to fold.

In a post on the group's Facebook page, Sarah Henman from the CCA said that it was no longer financially sustainable to continue.

She said that with only nine members attending the CCA's most recent meeting on March 19, it had been decided that the group "isn't needed or wanted."

The keys to the Claude Hamilton Hall will be handed back to South Ayrshire Council no later than May 17, with the facility's long-term future still undecided.

Sarah said: "It was decided that the association would fold. We plan to have everything completed by the end of April.

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"It is an end of an era but we have to accept that we live in a very different community. We are financially unable to take on a lease, or in fact pay bills in the long term.

"We are all sad that this decision has been made. However we have been very clear at the last three community meetings - 'use it or lose it', and the community has clearly spoken."

The last day of trading for the post office at the hall will be Friday, April 12.

Sarah added: "We have been working with the Post Office to try and relocate it within the village, however this isn't an option. There are a number of reasons for this.

"However, if there is a last minute change we will let you know. 

"The café is now closed. Thank you to all our customers for your support over the last two years.

"I hope to see some of you at the hall over the next few weeks and we will be holding a Jumble sale to clear out the last of our belongings."

The post office at the hall was only established in October 2022 - more than two years after the previous Post Office facility in the area closed when the postmaster in nearby Joppa resigned.

In the interim the village had been served by a mobile facility which called at Coylton for just 75 minutes a week - with the 44 hours offered by the village hall facility a significant improvement.

Sarah added her personal thanks to all those who have been involved in the CCA over the years. 

"I have been involved for approximately nine years," she said, "and it has been great fun.

"There have been some tears, pulling our hair out but always moving forward.

"I personally believe there is still community within the village, however it is very different to the way it used to be and I think the pandemic changed how we all live our lives.

"We have become more digitally dependent and don't require groups to meet and speak to friends.

"Mobile phones, game consoles and the internet have a lot to answer for in changing community spirit."