There is huge and well-justified concern across the whole tourism and leisure sector at the moment as to the lasting effects of Lockdown and the need for social distancing. Visit Scotland has produced a guide for businesses, with advice regularly updated. https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/advice/coronavirus

Even against this background however, the need to maintain a vision for “life beyond” goes on. So, with no loss of empathy for all those currently experiencing significant difficulty, tourism remains a key focus for future development in Ayrshire.

Anyone walking Maybole High Street as it looks just now could be forgiven some cynicism about the town becoming a tourism hub. However, anyone who remembers the villages of the East Neuk of Fife a few decades ago, would be much less surprised at local ambitions.

Run-down, former fishing villages with rowdy pubs and few amenities, in places such as Crail and Anstruther in the late 20^th century, have given way to beautifully restored havens for wealthy incomers and holiday-makers in the 21stC. Demand and wealth attracted to the area has further allowed a variety of galleries, cafes, hotels and shops to flourish.

Like Fife, the Ayrshire coast is rich in scenery, history and interesting stories; from Robert Burns whose parents met in Maybole, to Robert the Bruce, born at Turnberry Castle.

Maybole was the historic capital of Carrick, with official Burgh status and a lively history as a market town and seat of the Kennedys.

With Crossraguel Abbey and Culzean Castle on the doorstep, picturesque harbours like Dunure an easy drive away and the beaches at Maidens and Girvan just down the road, it’s not hard to imagine that what has been achieved in Fife is also within reach, much closer to home.

• Visitors spent £171m a single year
• 89% were domestic visitors
• 68% came for the scenery & landscape
• 72% undertook sightseeing by car/coach/on foot

Councillor Brian McGinley, Economy and Culture Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: “Tourism has always been an important sector for South Ayrshire, and crucial to the local economy. It’s a key part of the Maybole regeneration project, that visitors rediscover the town and connect with Carrick’s ancient heritage. We also want local people to be ambassadors for town, take pride in where they live and rediscover all that their town has to offer.”

As Maybole finally sees its £7.5 million regeneration project get underway, key, historic buildings are being restored and the town bypass will remove heavy traffic from the town centre. Grants of up to £25,000 are available to improve shop fronts, and pedestrian and cycling routes are built in to the design of the town centre.

Gordon Smith, Regional Director at VisitScotland said: “Our communities are at the heart of what makes Ayrshire & Arran such a special place and so we welcome the Maybole Regeneration Project.

“Infrastructure improvements like this are vital to boosting community spirit and well-being and will play a significant role in supporting Scotland’s economic recovery in the near future.

“Not only will the project benefit local people but it will provide an opportunity to develop the town’s visitor experience as part of Ayrshire’s wider tourism offering, encouraging people to visit when the time is right.”

Max Agnew of Maybole Community Council adds, “The Covid Lockdown has highlighted the increased appetite amongst local people to walk and cycle local streets and roads while they were quieter and safer.

“It’s my hope that through the Town Regeneration, as the town centre becomes more a place for people, we can create facilities  which can give  the confidence and feeling of safety to sustain any ambitions for local people and visitors to continue to walk and cycle within the town and beyond, by linking with the National Cycle Network NCN 7, the Ayrshire Coastal Path and the proposed Culzean Way”

Duncan Clelland, Project Lead for the Maybole Regeneration Project adds, “It’s not so long since towns like Girvan and Maybole were places families looked forward to visiting as day-trip and holiday destinations.

“With the support of South Ayrshire Council, Historic Environment Scotland, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Visit Scotland and perhaps most importantly of all, the creativity of local people and businesses, the Maybole Regeneration Project is an important step in unleashing a new wave of ambition and a new era for the town.

“We invite everyone to visit the newly launched Maybole Regeneration Project website (www.regeneratingmaybole.scot) to find

The news that Maybole town centre is to receive £7.5 million in regeneration cash and support from South Ayrshire Council, Historic Environment Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund has been warmly welcomed within the community. The investment also coincides with the long-awaited opening of the A77 town bypass in 2021 and removal of heavy traffic from the historic High Street.

Amy Eastwood, Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland said; “We are delighted to support the Maybole Regeneration project with £1,289, 607 funding as part of our Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS). We are excited to see the benefits that this project will bring to the historic town, local community and beyond, and we encourage shop and building owners to visit the website and find out more about what support is available to them through the project.”

As Maybole now has the funds and opportunity to create a new identity for itself, the community and project management team have been keen to listen to voices within the local community and to learn lessons from similar community projects elsewhere.

South Ayrshire Council is working in partnership with Maybole Community Council and a range of other organisations to develop a vision for the town; one which extends well beyond the renovation of buildings.

Councillor Brian McGinley, Economy and Culture Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: “Our town centres are no longer just about shopping, they need to offer a mix of entertainment venues, visitor attractions, places to eat and shops. I have no doubt we can get the mix right and ensure that Maybole continues to flourish, but it will take time and it will require solid partnership working.”

Mark Fletcher, Chair of Maybole Community Council agreed, saying, “There are many different aspects to regeneration but one of the most important ones is increasing the ambition and hunger for change within the community.  

This might manifest itself in taking the personal initiative to start a Farmer’s Market or a Christmas Fayre, or it takes a group of like-minded growers to start a community vegetable garden.”

Val Russell, CEO of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce says, “The success of any regeneration project is involvement at grass roots level – led by the community and local businesses, with support from the public sector.  It has to take into account the views of the whole community with recognisance of age, equality and needs.

Welcome as it is, it’s not enough for a community to be the recipient of funding support for the cosmetic items of regeneration. Whilst these are important, they are not what leads to long term job creation or sustainability of town centres. It’s the support and appreciation of everyone in the area that makes a strong community and town”

Experienced retail consultant Bob Baldry stresses, “It’s the mix of shops that draws people in. That, and a good shopper-experience, with excellent way-finding signage and amenities like cafés and open spaces, providing opportunities to browse and buy as a leisure activity.

The mix must be appropriate to the demographics and ambitions of the area and it’s important for the town centre to have an over-arching “brand” feel to it. Maybole has a fascinating history and much to recommend it. It now has the chance now to build a “new” identity for the 21^st Century.”

• Improving Shopfronts by working with shop owners and providing grants to owners to undertake improvement works.
• Restoration of important buildings to conserve and protect for current and future generations, including the Speakers, the Town Hall and the Castle.
• Exterior conservation and restoration works of residential properties within the designated area.
• Developing and improving walking and cycling routes into the town centre and to the new school campus.
• Transforming the High Street to become a better place to visit, shop and linger, especially once the bulk of heavy traffic is removed by the Bypass.
• Creating opportunities in employment and training by ensuring residents in and around Maybole benefit from learning, apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities.

The Maybole Regeneration Project is four-year regeneration project investing up to £7.5 million in the town centre so it becomes a better place to live, work and visit for residents, businesses and visitors to Carrick’s ancient Capital. It relaunched this month with a new website and grant portal for local shops.

A new era, free from heavy traffic in the town centre is almost here for the historic Burgh town of Maybole, through the long-awaited opening of the A77 town bypass.

Wider pavements, cycle paths and traffic calming measures on the High Street are just some of the initiatives planned, but while physical measures can improve the look and health of the area, the regeneration of the High Street depends on how everyone in the local community interacts with the proposed changes, according to those behind the Project.

Councillor Brian McGinley, Economy and Culture Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said, “The new bypass presents a golden opportunity to redevelop the town of Maybole. Not only will pedestrian safety be vastly improved, visitors will have more opportunities to explore the town as we address issues such as parking.  South Ayrshire Council is proud to support the Regeneration Project and the Project Team is working hand in hand with local organisations to deliver results.”

The first community “Audit of Needs” was carried out way back in 2012 and even then, a thriving shopping area was a key ambition in the place-making of a stronger community. Nearly a decade later, with regeneration cash now in place and funding to improve shops and pedestrian areas in the town centre now available, what the town needs most of all is for people to consider changing their habits.

Mark Fletcher, Chair of the Maybole Community Council, adds, “Almost £8 million in investment will make a real difference to the fabric of the town centre but lasting value will come from within the community; choosing to shop locally and support local growers, producers and retailers.

The recent Lockdown brought into sharp focus the importance of local shops and it was the smaller shops, such as our local butcher who stepped up and kept households supplied.

The phrase “Use it or lose it” has been said many times but Maybole needs the creativity and support of its residents, both to create appropriate retail opportunities and importantly, to support them. To re-invent the story of the town is going to take the whole community.”

Through the new website www.regeneratingmaybole.scot, individual grants of up to £25,0000 are available for the upgrade of shop fronts. Key historic buildings are being restored and advice given to householders on how to maintain nearby dwellings to compatible standards.

Duncan Clelland, Project Lead for the Maybole Regeneration Project says, “Much thought is also being given to pedestrian and cycle routes to let people enjoy the town centre again, free from heavy traffic. Maybole needs people to keep revisiting the town centre as it evolves; providing input and supporting existing businesses.

The support of local people is crucial to encouraging others to enrich the available mix of shops and cafes.”

While Maybole’s town centre evolution is in process, new opportunities will continue to emerge. Mark Fletcher says, “This area is rich in produce with high quality meat, fish, fruit and veg all available locally. This would easily lend itself to a Farmers’ Market, raising food quality and lowering air miles.

Accepted wisdom is that a pound spent on local goods translates into five pounds for the Maybole economy, while a pound spent in a shop owned by a multinational corporation, contributes little. We need to restore the mentality of being a Market Town and use regeneration as a springboard to become the community that we say we long to be.”

• The Maybole Regeneration Project is four-year regeneration project investing up to £7.5 million in the town centre so it becomes an even better place to live, work and visit for residents, businesses and visitors to Carrick’s ancient Capital
• The A77 is due to open 2021, removing heavy traffic and increasing air quality in Maybole.
• The Maybole Outstanding Conservation Area was designated in 1974.
• The Maybole Regeneration Project includes a shopfront improvement scheme, set up to enhance shop fronts. Grants of up to 80% are available to owners and tenants within the eligible area for high-quality repair and restoration works. Grants may be applied for up to £25,000
• Information for homeowners within the designated Conservation zone is available to download from the new website, entitled “A Guide to Traditional Building Repair and Maintenance in Maybole”. This provides practical advice to help owners of traditional buildings – both within and outside the conservation area – maintain their properties to a high standard while enhancing the historic character of the area.
• A Maybole Conservation Area Management Plan (CAMP) was agreed in 2018. The CAMP provides the framework how Maybole Conservation Area will be managed over the next 10 years. This document is available on South Ayrshire Website
• The Maybole Community Development Plan can be found at https://nccbc.org.uk/north-carrick-action-plans/
• The new website was developed by Launch Digital in Ayr https://www.launchscotland.com

Amidst the strangest of times, there is great news for Maybole and the surrounding area as the relaunch of the Maybole Regeneration Project gets actively underway this week with the addition of a dedicated website.

The Project plans to invest up to £7.5 million pounds in the town centre and key restoration projects over the next four years.

Funding and advice are available for existing shop owners to improve shop fronts and for owners of designated residential properties to carry out repairs. Key historic buildings will also receive restoration funding aimed at restoring pride and vitality to the historic Carrick capital.

Councillor Brian McGinley, Economy and Culture Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: “Together with our partners we are looking to transform Maybole and make the most of its unique assets. We want to put Maybole back on the map and this online resource is a significant step towards achieving this. The new website will be crammed full of information, from updates on the latest projects to advice and funding applications, so I would encourage people visit the website and learn more.”

Community involvement is key to the success of any regeneration project and Mark Fletcher, Chair of the Maybole Community Council, added, “A project like this takes a whole community to implement. Equally, a revitalised town centre will benefit all, especially when the Bypass opens and takes lorry traffic away from our historic streets.

The recent Lockdown has demonstrated the importance of the “shop local” message and provided both reason and opportunity to walk and cycle. I hope this will have provided a taste of what a regenerated town centre can mean to Maybole, as we reclaim the High Street for people, not traffic.“

Duncan Clelland, Project Lead for the Maybole Regeneration Project, said, “I want to pay tribute to those with the original vision for Maybole; the Community Council and activists who fought hard to establish their case. Now with South Ayrshire Council, Historic Environment Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund fully behind the plans, the Project is moving on to an exciting phase where we can jointly make a real difference to the look and feel of the town.

The new website plays a crucial part in disseminating information and providing access to grant funding and I’d encourage everyone in Maybole and the surrounding area to have a look at what is planned and what assistance is available”.

• Improving Shopfronts by working with shop owners and providing grants to owners to undertake improvement works.
• Restoration of important buildings to conserve and protect for current and future generations, including the Speakers, the Town Hall and the Castle.
• Exterior conservation and restoration works of residential properties within the designated area.
• Developing and improving walking and cycling routes into the town centre and to the new school campus.
• Transforming the High Street to become a better place to visit, shop and linger, especially once the bulk of heavy traffic is removed by the Bypass.
• Creating opportunities in employment and training by ensuring residents in and around Maybole benefit from learning, apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities.

In preparation of The Maybole Regeneration Project launch, a website, marketing material and a PR campaign were required to promote and ensure the local community were aware of the project.

Over the past few months, the project team have been working closely with local marketing agency Launch Digital on developing a new, interactive website to showcase the project aims, progress and history of Maybole. The team at Launch were keen to get involved and worked with the project team to develop a website which will encourage more people in the local community and within the project area to apply for available grants, through the implementation of an interactive map of the town centre and a modern, vibrant interface.

Alongside this, and consistent with the website design, Launch created various downloadable brochures and launched a PR/online campaign to promote the project. Due to COVID -19 and restrictions on ability to promote within the town centre, this was done through a social media campaign to showcase the story of the Maybole Regeneration Project, as well as several press releases to create awareness. Both the project team and Launch Digital also worked alongside local photographer, Danny Bray to get high quality photos of the town centre and project areas, for use on the website and campaigns.

Launch are a Digital Marketing agency with Studios in Ayrshire and Glasgow. Launch focus on creativity and provide a vast amount of marketing services including branding, web design, graphic design, social media, and search marketing. Quality and customer satisfaction are priority and they are proud of their many long-standing clients in the local area who they continue to work closely with. The team at Launch were excited to work on this local project and will continue to work closely with the project team for further marketing requirements.