Palace Theatre refurb could push regeneration costs beyond £44 million

The cost of East Ayrshire Council’s Cultural Kilmarnock regeneration project, including the refurbishment of Kilmarnock’s Palace Theatre, could increase by more than £10 million.

The project was originally approved with a budget of £34 million, but council officials now expect the final expenditure to exceed £44.2 million.

The precise figure remains uncertain, with a combination of earlier contract decisions, hidden building defects discovered during construction and changes to the original scope of work contributing to the financial pressures.

Depute Chief Executive David Mitchell acknowledged the wider problems facing the project, while councillors have called for greater scrutiny and regular updates on its progress.