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Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Kilmarnock's Palace Theatre to be closed for four years for refurbishment
Under initial proposals, the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall were due to be reopening this summer but the venues will remain closed until 2028. Kilmarnock 's Palace Theatre and Grand Hall will have been closed for four years by the time a £20 million redevelopment project has been completed. East Ayrshire Council announced today, Wednesday, July 2, the main contractor for the refurbishment works which are due to be completed by "early 2028" - four years after the complex closed. Proposals announced in 2023 would have seen the buildings closed for a total of 18 months and they closed in 2024. However, planning permission wasn't granted for almost another year and East Ayrshire Council have only just appointed McLaughlin & Harvey as the main contractor. It has been hailed by the council as "the first major milestone in the project's timeline" at the time that the £20 million Cultural Kilmarnock project was due to be completed. Mobilisation will commence onsite during July with the main contract commencing on August 4. Images of the plans were released in August last year and were put to a public consultation. At the time, the council were anticipating works to be completed by "the start of 2027" - 18 months later than planned. With the signing of the main contract now completed, East Ayrshire Council don't expect the refurbishment to be completed until "early 2028" - four years after the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall closed. East Ayrshire Council have said that "significant work" has been ongoing "over the past few months". Already, the venue has missed the lucrative 2024 pantomime season when a circus tent had to be put up at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena to replace it. The "Big Top" was later blown down by Storm Éowyn. In 2023, the council secured £20 million from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund for the project. McLaughlin & Harvey, the main contractor, will be supported by an external multi-disciplinary team led by Atkins Realis with Keppie Design, RSP, Struers, Wardall Armstrong, Atelier Ten and Theatre Plan among the wider project team. Construction is to include a new extension at the front of the Palace Theatre with a new café and bar, reception and ticket office and improved level access to both venues. Extensive internal and external refurbishment of both venues will include improvements to back of house facilities and stage, public areas and energy efficient upgrades. Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of East Ayrshire Council, said: 'Today's announcement of the start date is music to my ears, and I'm sure the people of Kilmarnock share my excitement to learn that works can now officially commence. 'It's full steam ahead for a project which will not only transform the town of Kilmarnock, but which will boost our cultural offerings and bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits to all of East Ayrshire. 'Technically, this is a very complex project and the team has taken time to ensure every detail has been considered to mitigate and address these challenges.' 'This is a key milestone which marks the culmination of months of planning and coordination and shared ambition between all partners and I very much look forward to seeing this progress.'
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Grange Academy earns positive inspection report as head teacher praised
"The report highlights that the Head Teacher is held in high regard by all members of the school community" Grange Academy received a very positive HMIE report following Education Scotland inspection in March. The Education Scotland inspection team worked closely with the head teacher and staff, throughout the five day inspection and engaged closely with parents and carers, and young people from all age groups. The inspection report highlighted strengths in the school's work including the leadership of head teacher and head of campus, Scott Robertson, who has been identified as being instrumental as maintaining a focus on improving young people's wellbeing and attainment. The inspectors also highlighted the "positive, mutually respectful relationships between staff and young people" that are "built on shared values", which creates "calm, welcoming learning environments across the school and Hearing Impairment Unit". Improvements that have been made to approaching and promoting the wellbeing of young people by school staff was also highlighted in the report. These changes have led to improvements in their mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. The following areas for improvement were also identified and discussed with the Head Teacher and a representative from East Ayrshire Council. Teachers are advised to make greater use of ongoing assessment in the broad general education. They should continue to work together to agree a shared understanding of standards and expectations. This will support planning for learning which enables young people to make progress at a rate that best meets their needs. Inspectors also suggested that senior leaders should continue to develop approaches to equality across the school. This should build on existing work to improve attendance of young people. Senior leaders and staff should develop further whole school supportive and restorative approaches. Lastly, staff should continue to focus on raising attainment in National Qualifications, particularly at National 5 and Higher levels. Local elected members, Councillors Douglas Reid, Jayne Sangster and James Adams with Linda McAulay-Griffiths, Chief Education Officer and Head of Education, and Graham McGinn, Depute Head of Education, visited Grange Academy to meet Scott Robertson, his senior management team and young people – Aiden, Amelia, Kayden, Annie, Luke, Alix and Harry. They spoke to the young people about their role in the inspection, which included meeting with the inspectors and leading tours of the campus. And about all things education, including the upcoming senior prom on Thursday, June 12. Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Education, and Children and Young People, said: "The report highlights that the Head Teacher is held in high regard by all members of the school community who value his – 'careful, sensitive management of the pace and direction of change'. This is very clear whenever you visit the school. The young people are positive in their attitude and it is clear that this is fostered by their Head Teacher and all the staff within the school. "The inspectors highlighted the wide range of achievement and attainment activities across the curriculum and within the wider community, which is developing young people's skills for learning, life and work. And for me, this is key. Education is about preparing our young people for the future - for further learning, for work and for life. "It is incredibly encouraging to read an HMIE report where this has been highlighted. I was so sorry to be unable to offer Scott my congratulations in person but I have been in touch with the school to let them know how proud we all are." Scott Robertson, Grange Academy Head Teacher and Head of Campus said: "A team of 12 inspectors from Education Scotland joined us for a week in March and participated in all aspects of school life. Our young people had a vital role to play in the inspection process, meeting and talking with the inspectors, and I am very proud of their positive input. "Our school's report is the result of teamwork and collaboration. The young people are at the centre of every decision the school takes and, their wellbeing and attainment are our highest priority. I am so pleased for my whole team that the inspectors recognised the work that has been carried out to improve the wellbeing and attainment of our young people. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank every member of the Grange Academy staff for their hard work and dedication to our young people; since joining Grange Academy three years ago, I have been overwhelmed by their professionalism and commitment to our children and young people; they are a credit to our school community. As the report highlights, our role to help prepare our young people for the future. We want them to achieve their very best and are committed to ensuring that this is possible through opportunities both within school and within the community."
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Kilmarnock multi-storey car park demolition makes progress
The car park is expected to be removed by the end of July. The demolition of the multi-storey car park in Kilmarnock is continuing to make progress despite a number of complex issues hitting work. The structure is expected to be removed by the end of July with work to tidy up the site being undertaken throughout August. East Ayrshire Council has set up a Foregate Business Continuity Fund to support firms affected by ongoing work, which will provide targeted help to local eligible retail, hospitality and leisure businesses directly impacted by the multi-storey closure and demolition works. The fund aims to support those most affected by providing short-term financial assistance to help sustain business operations. The council's Economic Growth staff are also meeting the affected local traders to set out the grant proposals, eligibility criteria and evidence needed when submitting the online grant. The council has now been informed that its application to the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund in respect of enhancements to public realm and active travel works once the car park is demolished has been unsuccessful. It is working with the contractor to finalise the works they will undertake as part of the demolition contract whilst exploring opportunities for wider town centre regeneration which will incorporate this area. Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: "We're very aware of the continued impact that the demolition has had on footfall within the immediate vicinity of the Foregate and the Council has supported businesses at this time through the introduction of the Foregate Business Continuity Fund. I would encourage customers to continue to support the local businesses. "The contractor has reassured us that all possible measures have been put in place to meet the revised completion date while recognising that health and safety remains the first priority. "This work is part of a huge multi-million pound regeneration of Kilmarnock that has included investment in the bus station, the planned refurbishment and modernisation of the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall, refurbishment of the Galleon Leisure Centre as well as developing further enhancements to the public realm and road network."
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Council leader wants to press UK Government on green energy infrastructure support
East Ayrshire Council Leader Douglas Reid will table a motion that cites Kilmarnock project as example. East Ayrshire Council will press the UK Government on the level of support it will provide to help the transition to net zero, if a motion to council is approved. SNP Council Leader, Councillor Douglas Reid, says that it is vital that the Labour Government provides clarity on the issue, emphasising the need to back companies to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place. He cited an agreement between HALO Kilmarnock and the subsea cabling manufacturer XLCC that could see the latter set up a headquarters in the HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre, along with more than 300 jobs. His motion states: 'XLCC plan to bring 1200 new jobs to Ayrshire with the UK's first high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable factory in Hunterston and this partnership will result in more than 300 high-quality jobs being brought to Kilmarnock.' This would cover a wide range of professional disciplines including finance, sales, marketing, HR, skills development, digital and cyber security, design, engineering and project management, he added. Cllr Reid's motion continues: 'An investment of this magnitude will boost the economy and be a catalyst for regenerating the engineering sector both locally and regionally. 'This agreement in principle is to be welcomed as it will increase energy resilience within the UK while supporting our communities with high quality jobs. 'However, I am aware that clarification is required from the UK Government on proposals to deliver the green investment strategy and how they will support UK companies to develop and fund major infrastructure projects in the short term prior to worldwide contracts being realised over the next five years which will support the Just Transition towards Net Zero. 'I would therefore propose that the Council write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to request an early meeting to clarify the UK Government's proposals to progress the delivery of this project at pace.'
