500 local people take chance to see exciting Irvine town centre plans

Around 500 local people took the first opportunity to see and comment on exciting multi-million pound plans to transform Irvine town centre last Friday and Saturday. 

An innovative “pop-up-shop” – held in the former Stationery Box unit in Bridgegate – was set up by North Ayrshire Council and Irvine Bay Regeneration Company to display details of the first four major projects that will delivered over the next few years. 

Overall feedback was very positive, with the four projects - Bridgegate public realm, Bridgegate House, Trinity Church and the new Irvine leisure centre - receiving plenty of interest. Officers and architects responsible for the projects were able to answer questions and explain how they will be developed over the coming months. 

A number of visitors to the shop also took the time to provide specific written comments on individual aspects of the projects. These will be used to assist in taking the projects forward.

Councillor David O’Neill, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “This multi-million pound investment to transform Irvine town centre is the biggest thing to happen to Irvine for a generation and we know how important it is to ensure local people are given as much opportunity to be involved as possible. 

“The pop-up-shop was a very worthwhile exercise and there were many positive comments about the scheme. The point of the exercise was not simply to receive praise, but to hear from the people who live and work in Irvine about their own views on the town and any points of concern they have. 

“We will take all of the feedback on board over the coming months and years. 

“Both the Council and our partners Irvine Bay Regeneration Company are confident that, by listening to the people of Irvine, we will create an environment which will attract visitors and business while becoming a source of pride for the town. 

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay, who attended the shop said: 

“This was a very innovative and direct way for us to share with people the initial details of the projects, which we hope will begin the process of regenerating Irvine town centre. It was clear from talking to some of the people who visited the shop that this was an approach they liked – whether it was to ask a specific question or to simply find out what it was all about. What was very encouraging was the vast range of people who attended. I am confident that this has given us a very strong platform upon which we can take forward the delivery of the four exciting projects.”