Great news for the historic market town of Maybole in Ayrshire, as the Maybole Regeneration Project confirms it has secured £7.5 million in funding and this week (4th June 2020) launches a dedicated website, www.regeneratingmaybole.scot
The Maybole Restoration 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”.
Included in the Maybole Regeneration Project are:
- 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.
For further information, please visit the new website (www.regeneratingmaybole.scot) and find out how you could get involved.
Background Information;
- 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 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 designed by LAUNCH in Ayr
https://www.launchscotland.com
Maybole Regeneration Project
Tel: 01292 123 456
