Done deal as regeneration group secures former bank in Ayrshire for new community hub

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A former bank in Ayrshire has been sold to a group dedicated to supporting the region’s former mining areas. The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) has purchased the former Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Dalmellington Main Street.

Now the plan is to turn the building into the group’s new hub for community work in the town.Refurbishment work will start in the summer and a re-opening is scheduled for early 2023.Nicky Wilson, Vice Chair of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to invest in the Dalmellington community with the purchase and refurbishment of the former bank.“This will help to regenerate the centre of the town and provide co-working facilities to build opportunity and prosperity for local people.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now on iOS and Android.“We are proud to be part of the many different projects happening in East Ayrshire’s former mining communities and look forward to working in partnership with them.” It’s not been disclosed how much was paid to secure the building, but the former branch was on the market in September 2021 for a price tag of £59,500.

RBS closed the popular branch six years ago during a cost-cutting exercise.Also set to move into the building is the Dalmellington Parish Development Trust, a group dedicated to working towards regenerating the local area for the benefit of the community and visitors.R