At their cabinet meeting, councillors approved the release of final funding for the previously agreed demolition and redevelopment of the former Darvel Co-Op building.

Backed by the community council, the plan is to make the site into a place where people can gather, hold events, promote trade and socialise with an attractive garden and space for a market promoting local farm produce and goods from local businesses.

Welcoming the news, Councillor Jim Roberts, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: “It’s very fitting that this long derelict site, which housed an old established co-op, founded to promote equality and fair trade for local people, will once again be a focal point for local produce and co-operative community events.

“With a total budget of £200K from our Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund allocation of £1.7m which East Ayrshire has been granted for 2019/20, the community council has already commissioned an architect to carry out design work, which will shortly be progressing to a planning submission.”

In the meantime the demolition squad are already getting to work, with Councillor Elena Whitham, depute leader of East Ayrshire Council, declaring “ I think we all welcome this news. Residents were delighted, practically cheering as they saw the diggers arriving on site yesterday.

“This is a great use of our regeneration funds, all the more exciting as it’s truly a project for the community and by the community. It’s the epitome of what regeneration should be about, improving lives and prospects by cleaning up and renovating our built environment.”