PRESS RELEASE: Show us your plans for Ayr Station Hotel, South Ayrshire Council!

Ayr Station Hotel in 2018, with the North Wing and tower to the left [Credit: Nigel Hackett]
Ayr Station Hotel in 2018, with the North Wing and tower to the left [Credit: Nigel Hackett]

11th January 2024

Local and national heritage organisations call on South Ayrshire Council to publish its plans for the remaining North Wing and clock tower of Ayr Station Hotel amid growing concerns over the scale of demolition and the decision-making process at this listed landmark.

As the bulldozers continue to demolish the remaining parts of the South Wing of Ayr’s nationally important Victorian gateway, SAVE Britain’s Heritage and seven national and local organisations have written an open letter to the CEO of South Ayrshire Council Mike Newall and Leader of the Council Martin Dowey requesting their plans for the remaining elements of the hotel to be made public.

The letter is signed by SAVE, the Architectural Heritage Fund for Scotland, the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, Ayr Station Hotel Community Action Group and Ayr Development Trust, Glasgow City Heritage Trust and Ayrshire Architectural Heritage Trust.

We remain concerned at the apparent opaque process and decision-making surrounding the loss of the majority of the South Wing on the grounds of public safety.

In early November, after the latest fire, conservation accredited structural engineer Ed Morton advised the council of an alternative method of propping up the south gable over Station Road that would have addressed public safety concerns and could have avoided major demolition of the structure and, crucially, would also have allowed Station Road to reopen sooner. We have not had confirmation that this advice was considered or explored.

Ayr Station Hotel is a listed building and the council is obliged under Scottish Law to consider the practicality of other options, aside from demolition, to make the building safe. According to Historic Environment Scotland, Section 8 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1997 states that unauthorised work urgently required to achieve safety should demonstrate that other options, in particular temporary support, were not practicable.

Thankfully, the adjacent tower and North Wing which make up the rest of the hotel complex were not the focus of the fire in September. Pre-fire, these elements were not under protective scaffolding – unlike the South Wing – as this was not considered necessary for safety reasons by council officers. They remain free from any scaffolding and we assume therefore pose no health and safety risk to the public.

We believe there is a bright future for a restored and fully occupied tower and North Wing, creating a fittingly grand and lively entrance to the town, alongside a modern extension with accessible station facilities and the potential for a new integrated transport exchange at Burns Statue Square. SAVE and the signatories of the letter would be willing to work with all relevant stakeholders to help achieve this.

In December 2023, news was published that South Ayrshire Council is set to benefit from £20 million of Levelling Up grant money. The funds are earmarked for the major regeneration of Ayr town centre, including the famous Burns Statue Square.

Henrietta Billings, director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, said: “As the demolition contractors advance, and since the council has not declared its intention for the rest of the privately owned building, we seek urgent clarification on where they will call a halt to the demolition and urge them to reveal their plans for the site. South Ayrshire Council, please set out your positive vision for the future use of the North Wing and tower of the former Station Hotel and assure us that Ayr’s remaining historic buildings are safe in your hands.”

David Cook, director of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, said: “Securing the future of historic buildings at risk is vital for all our communities across Scotland, as repositories of the stories of our cities, towns and villages as well as being important tools in urban regeneration. Glasgow Building Preservation Trust hopes that a long-term solution can be found to retain the remaining sections of Ayr Station Hotel and, together with SAVE Britain’s Heritage and other partners, stands ready to help bring this about.”

Esther Clark, Ayr Development Trust, said: “Like so many people in Ayr, Ayr Development Trust is anxious to minimise the damage caused to Ayr’s historic town centre through the council’s demolition of the Station Hotel’s South Wing. The council must now declare its intentions and commitment to ensuring the tower and North Wing, both of which were far less affected by the fire, are preserved as key elements of the emerging Town Centre Strategy. Future generations deserve to experience the Station Hotel in real life, not just in historic photographs and demolition footage.”

H Bruce Collier, Chair of the Ayr Station Hotel Community Action Group, said: “Ayr has over the years lost too much of its historic fabric, diminishing its attraction for residents and visitors alike. We must now seek to protect as much of the remaining historic fabric as possible, including the North Wing and tower of the former Station Hotel. We call on the council to demonstrate that it respects and values this important heritage.”

Jocelyn Cunliffe, acting chair of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, said: “The AHSS urges South Ayrshire Council to cease demolition and make a formal listed building consent application which sets out the rationale for the extensive work carried out and demonstrates an overall vision for the regeneration of the whole site. Local authorities are empowered to act timeously to save listed buildings. This case raises issues around enforcement procedures which require public examination to protect and save important listed buildings at risk. Demolition should be a last resort.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Find the open letter attached as a pdf below

2. For more information contact Elizabeth Hopkirk – elizabeth.hopkirk@savebritainsheritage.org/ 020 7253 3500.

3. SAVE Britain’s Heritage is an independent voice in conservation that fights for threatened historic buildings and sustainable reuses. We stand apart from other organisations by bringing together architects, engineers, planners and investors to offer viable alternative proposals. Where necessary, and with expert advice, we take legal action to prevent major and needless losses.

4. SAVE has been advocating for Ayr Station Hotel since 2018, offering expert advice and producing detailed reports and constructive ways forward that would retain and celebrate the category B-listed building as a key landmark for the town’s future, not just its past. Read our most recent press release here.

Documents (click to read/download)