Centred around the Foregate, Sandbed Street, an extension of the shopping area and John Finnie Street embankment, the designs have been created as part of the ‘Celebrate Kilmarnock’ town centre action plan, which complements the 2011 Integrated Urban Development Plan and builds upon the recent successes of Historic Scotland’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) and the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

Residents are now being invited to view the proposals through a public engagement event at the Citizen’s Advice offices in Foregate Square, Kilmarnock from 2pm – 4.30pm on Saturday, 28 October.

This event will be held in tandem with consultation activity on proposals for improvements to the Kilmarnock Bus Station which will be led by Ayrshire Roads Alliance and Smith Findlay Architects. Commercial stakeholders will also be invited to have their say from 5pm – 6.30pm at the Citizen’s Advice offices on Wednesday, 15 November.

Councillor Jim Roberts said: “The town centre plays a multi-faceted role in the lives of Kilmarnock’s residents. Sitting at the heart of the community it provides a range of places and spaces for people to meet, live, work and enjoy.

“Consultants engaged by the council have produced a range of different proposals for improving these areas and it is important that we get the public’s views on these. We will be asking people to vote for the ones which they feel should be prioritised.

“In terms of the bus station, we see this project as one with immense potential to change not only the physical environment, but tackle the troubling social issues which have damaged the station’s reputation.

“Kilmarnock Bus Station has lost its sense of identity but we are confident that this project will rediscover and redefine its character and will deliver a revitalised public transport hub for residents, visitors and commuters alike.”