Popular Ayrshire soft play to return to original venue

(Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

A popular Ayrshire children’s soft play has given a heartfelt announcement of “coming to a close” to make way for a multi-purpose events space.

Pirate Pete’s at Ayr beachfront has thanked supporters and families across the years while in business with the venue now being reimagined as Ayr Pavilion, a “vibrant music and events space”.

The venue promises to bring a wide range of cross-genre music and cultural events such as live bands, children’s entertainment, and art exhibitions.

A spokesperson from the Pavilion said: “Your loyalty has helped shape what comes next – and we can’t wait to share the future with you. As we turn the page and begin a new chapter as Ayr Pavilion, we carry that gratitude with us into the future.”

Adapting the business to the premises is believed to be a “necessity to ensure its future” with the Pavilion playing down comments of an “unhelpful and nasty” nature on the decision.

They added: “We want to be clear: this decision was not made lightly, nor was it driven by greed. The upkeep of this iconic building is extremely costly.

“Thank you once again to all the Pirate Pete’s customers over the past 20 years. We are incredibly grateful for your support and hope to welcome you to one of our many upcoming music and cultural events.”

Additional activities being made available at the reinstated events space include dance classes, youth development and community programmes, and arts and crafts fairs.

The towered Pavilion building overlooking the Ayrshire coastline was first built in 1911 by architect James Hunter Kennedy who was known for his projects of Ayr Town Hall and Grammar School.

The venue has been known as Hanger 13, a former rave club, in addition to Pirate Pete’s and functioning as a theatre and music hall throughout the 20th century.