Latest news with #Ayr-based
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Probe launched after company owned by murderer and gangster handed contract to board up crime scenes
In July 2020 the brute killed Michael Thomson, 46, over fears he'd tell cops about his role in a cannabis farm CONTRACT BOTCH Probe launched after company owned by murderer and gangster handed contract to board up crime scenes A WATCHDOG has rapped cops over a hood landing a slice of a £5million crime scene contract. The Scottish Police Authority upheld a complaint about botched vetting checks on George 'Rambo' McMillan, 58. 2 George 'Rambo' McMillan's Style Builders became a subcontractor for Orbis Protect Ltd Credit: John Kirkby 2 Rambo Michael Thomson then dumped his body in his car on a layby on the A77 in July 2020 The convicted drug dealer was able to secure lucrative taxpayer-funded work for his Ayr-based firm by stepping down temporarily and installing his elderly mum as sole director in August 2019. After police background checks on Margaret McMillan, then aged 78, came back clear, she resigned with Rambo returning as director. Months later he was arrested for the murder of an employee before being convicted and caged for 21 years. Now the SPA has ordered procurement chiefs to be 'alert to any recent changes of directorship immediately prior to the award of a contract'. Security specialist John Robertson, 45, of Airdrie, who lodged the complaint, said: 'It's deeply concerning that a known organised crime figure was able to enter a police subcontractor role under the radar. "This wasn't an innocent oversight, it was a serious systems failure. 'I'm proud to have brought this to light, and I welcome the SPA's diligence and decision to tighten procurement and vetting processes. 'This is a win for everyone who plays by the rules.' We told how McMillan's Style Builders took on work for Orbis Protect Ltd, which had been hired to secure properties at the centre of drug busts or murder probes. In July 2020 the brute killed Michael Thomson, 46, over fears he'd tell cops about his role in a cannabis farm. Man rushed to hospital after being found 'seriously injured' at roadside in Airdrie Weeks later Orbis told cops Style Builders was no longer a subcontractor. Police Scotland was asked for comment.
STV News
6 days ago
- Health
- STV News
Construction company fined after teen severed thumb off at work
A construction company has been fined £40,000 after a teenager's thumb was severed off while he was working on a luxury hotel renovation in the Highlands. The 18-year-old apprentice joiner had to have his thumb reattached by doctors following the accident that happened while he was using a portable table saw to cut plasterboard in June 2021. The teenager was working with Ayr-based 3B Construction on the conversion of a 19th-century hunting lodge in Tongue. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the apprentice, who had been with the company for six months, used his left hand to flick away material on the saw blade during the project at Hope Lodge. His hand made contact with the rotating blade, cutting off his thumb. He raised the alarm with colleagues, who took him to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. The HSE said his thumb was found a short time later and taken to the hospital where doctors managed to successfully reattach it. The apprentice told the investigation that his thumb is now working to around 70% of what it used to be, but is shorter than his other thumb and can't fully bend. It was described as 'permanently swollen' and causes significant discomfort during winter. Health and Safety Executive Portable table saw shown in the condition it was in at the time of the incident – the top guard and riving knife were removed. The teenager resumed his apprenticeship with another firm following the procedure. The HSE and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) determined that the company failed to follow all of the proper health and safety rules. An investigation found that 3B Construction failed to undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to employees operating a table circular saw, ensure that the system of work for the operation of said saw was safe and appropriately supervised, and provide apprentice joiners with the information, instruction and training needed to operate said saw safely. The company was fined £40,000 at Tain Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to prosecution on July 1, 2025. HSE inspector Norman Schouten said: 'While this young man continues to live with the trauma and impact of this incident, it's greatly encouraging to see him continuing to work as a joiner. 'However, it is only the efforts of medical professionals that prevented this from becoming a permanent amputation following the failures of the company. 'Companies and individuals should be aware that HSE and COPFS will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Charity event will honour popular John Gilardi by giving 'A Hunner Percent'
The fundraiser will ask competitors to give 'one hunner percent' - a phrase John was renowed for using. When John Gilardi died in a horrific car smash last year, his family and friends were utterly devastated. Known affectionately as 'Mr Hunner Percent', the 49-year-old accountant and businessman was loved and respected for his larger than life personality, generous nature and natural enthusiasm. Reeling from the news, his friend Liam Walker vowed that when the time was right he'd 'do something really big' to honour the memory of the man he greatly admired. A year on, he's true to his word and planning a huge fitness event to raise money for the charity that John helped found before his death - the Ayr-based Harbour. Liam, who owns Eevo Training, at Sandyford on the outskirts of Ayr, will host HPX: Hunner Percent Race at the town's Riverside Sports Arena this summer, with athletes travelling from across the country to take part. He explained: 'John was my client, a friend, a mentor and business advisor, he had such a big impact on everyone who knew him. 'We've called it the 'Hunner Percent Race' because that is what he was all about, you'd ask him if he thought something was possible and his response was always 'a hunner percent' 'There were never any half measures with John, 'if you are going to do something you do it big and you do it well', that was his attitude, so this is why we are going to make sure this event does him proud, great quality for a great cause that John believed in.' HPX has the support of John's wife Arlene, son Jacob and daughter Beau, with all profits donated to the 'My Heart is With Harbour - the John Gilardi Legacy' fund, a subsidiary of the addiction charity Harbour that he co-founded and where he also acted as trustee and treasurer until his death. The group supports people recovering from drug and/or alcohol addiction, helping them become independent and integrate back into the community. Liam explained: ' The charity meant a lot to John, he was so well respected among those who knew him and he did a lot of good. 'He passed away just a few days after taking part in the charity's inaugural sleepout, he was really committed to it. 'Fitness and health were really important to him, he gave a 'hunner percent' there as well, there were no half measures for John, he'd love what we are doing, it's what he was about, he'd have been the first to sign up. We've had great support for the event, including from the council and Active Schools, we really appreciate the help they have given us.' The event takes place on Sunday, August 10 and has both competitive and non-competitive divisions. It is a Hyrox-stye race, and includes a range of functional-fitness exercises, with lots of running thrown in to make sure there is plenty of sweat to go around. Some of the fittest athletes in the sport are expected to take part in what will be the hotly-contested male and female (pairs) competitive divisions, with thousands of pounds in prize-money up for grabs. Mixed pairs are acceptable in the aptly named 'no-regrets' non-competitive race, again reflecting John's lust for life. He added: 'The no regrets division will be exactly what it sounds like, take part, help us raise money for a great cause and have a brilliant experience, you don't need to be the fittest person around to join in, just be willing to have a go and give it a hunner percent.' It costs £120 per pair to take part and you can find out more by visiting the HPX Fitness Race page on Facebook, or by emailing team@ Liam went on: 'John Gilardi did everything to the max, we want to honour his memory by doing the same, we want to wow everyone with this event and raise lots of money, but most of all we want to do his memory proud.'
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Plans approved for multiple occupancy flat above former Ayr pub
Plans were previously lodged with South Ayrshire Council, seeking permission for a change of use to the first floor of the property on 61 High Street. A developer has won approval to transform the first floor above the former Cross Keys public bar in Ayr High Street. Plans were previously lodged with South Ayrshire Council, seeking permission for a change of use to the first floor of the property on 61 High Street. The building is currently listed as a commercial unit which was previously utilised as a storage space for the DEBRA charity shop, which subsequently moved to another part of the High Street in 2024. Now the plan is to turn the first floor space into a multiple occupancy flat. Plans show designs for a flat with four bedrooms on the first floor of the building. The agents in the proposals are Ayr-based LMA Architects and the applicant is Ayr firm McKechan Holding Limited. A design and access statement said that the applicant is 'now in a position to carry out the works to the ground and first floors of the property.' The statement goes on: 'The client has received the necessary technical approval for the change of use and internal alterations to the first floor commercial unit to form a multi occupancy flat and now seeks the necessary planning consent to carry out these works.' It's understood that the reason for the exclusion of the first floor from the original consent was that 'certain information' 'had been requested' by the Planning Authority and was 'not available' at that time. The information requested consisted of two items: an acoustic assessment and an agreement with the local authority addressing the refuse collection from the property. An acoustic assessment was also lodged with the local authority and it is understood that an 'agreement' was reached with regards to refuse collection. The applicant has also 'taken on board' recommendations with regards to the floor constructions and the replacement windows for the proposed flat. In approving the plan, with conditions, council papers said: 'The development results in the repurposing and restoration of a largely vacant listed building that features on the Buildings at Risk Register as compiled by Historic Environment Scotland. "The proposals shall result in the appropriate re-use of the upper floors of the building (alongside the previous consent granted) and will not affect the vitality or viability of the town centre. 'And it is noted that the proposals do not involve any alterations to the external appearance to the building. It is therefore considered that the development will have a neutral impact on the character and visual amenity of Ayr Central Outstanding Conservation Area.'
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Historic Ayr church building to become new family home after plans approved
An 'at risk' former church building in Ayr's George Street is to be turned into a new home. The former Morrison Congregational Church, at 63-71 George Street, was previously listed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland. However, plans have been approved to breathe new life into the building, first erected in 1779, and transform it into a four-bedroom home. Agents in the proposals were Ayr-based AJL Architectural Services and the applicant is Mr Joe Caldwell. Mr Caldwell's request for a change of use into a dwellinghouse was approved under delegated powers. Planning papers said: 'The building, a Category C listed structure, is currently in poor condition and is included on the Buildings at Risk Register. 'The proposed development aims to convert the church into a residential property, incorporating both internal and external alterations. 'Internally, the conversion will create a four-bedroom dwelling, with a games room located on the upper floor. The ground floor will include a kitchen, lounge, dining room, and a TV room.' The proposal also included several 'alterations' to the building's fabric. The existing windows, all of which are currently boarded up, will be replaced with new windows. Some of the window openings will be resized, and new window openings will be introduced. The existing slate roof will be repaired and made good to 'maintain the building's original character,' and new brown uPVC gutters and downpipes will be installed to 'ensure the building's long-term maintenance.' The council report continues: 'In addition to these changes, galvanised steel railings are proposed to front the archway window, which forms a distinctive feature of the building. The proposal also includes the installation of hardwood windows and doors. The external walls will be finished with a smooth off-white render, with precast stone cills and smooth cement bands surrounding the windows and doors.' In approving the plans, council papers said: 'The main aspect of the proposal is the restoration of a building listed on the buildings at risk register, bringing it back into use. In this context, the South Ayrshire Council guidance, which prioritises a design-led approach over strict quantitative standards, supports the proposal as it contributes positively to the area. 'While garden space may be limited, the focus on restoring the building and integrating it into the existing urban setting aligns with the qualitative objectives of the guidance. 'The restoration and adaptation of this Category C listed building will preserve its architectural character while ensuring its continued use and preventing further decline. The development will contribute positively to the surrounding area by improving the appearance of the building and providing a viable and sustainable use for it.' The building was first erected in 1779 with alterations/additions made in 1901. The Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland describe the former church building as a 'good example' of late 18th century church architecture, 'enlivened' by the Art Nouveau additions of James Morris, alongside architectural work, including that in Savoy Croft and Racecourse Road. Morris wrote the books 'The Brig of Ayr and Something of its Story' in 1912 and 'The Auld Toon O'Ayr' in 1928, both published by the Ayr publishers Stephen and Pollock, 'extolling' the town's architectural highlights.
