Growth fund boost for Ayrshire

Growth fund boost for Ayrshire

Ayrshire is set to benefit as part of the UK Government's new Local Growth Fund along with various other local regions Launched today (8 January) by Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, the region will receive £11.8m as part of the overall £140m programme to help "drive economic growth" from term 2026/27 to 28/29. Regional projects hoping to see a difference over the next few years across East, North, and South Ayrshire include infrastructure investment, business support, and skills development. In statement […]

08/01/2026 46 1

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East Ayrshire Council announces extended school closures

East Ayrshire Council have given an update on school closures in the region amidst heating and flooding problems. The Barony Campus' Robert Burns Academy and its supported learning centre, which will reopen to pupils on Monday 12 January, have been affected due to internal flooding with other local primary schools having to delay their reopening. Hillside School, Lochnorris Primary and SLC, and Cherry Trees ECC within the Cumnock-based campus will remain closed tomorrow as the council continues to "consider their […]

06/01/2026 1300 2

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Popular Ayrshire soft play to return to original venue

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 […]

06/01/2026 106 2

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Police appeal for assault and robbery in Largs

Detectives are appealing for information following a recent "violent and distressing" assault and robbery in North Ayrshire. The incident took place in Largs on Monday 29 December which saw two males approach a man walking his dog on Nelson Street and robbing him of his mobile phone leaving him needing hospital treatment. A police report revealed that the two men made off towards the coastal town's Moorburn Road after stealing the device which was later recovered. The two men are […]

30/12/2025 155 2

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Police reappeal for missing Catrine man

Police are reappealing for public assistance in their search for a man who went missing in East Ayrshire earlier this month. Jason Fraser Anderson was last seen in Catrine at around 6pm on Friday 12 December with the force becoming "extremely concerned" for his welfare. The 33-year-old is described to be 5-foot-7-inches tall and of medium build with short fair-coloured hair. In a statement, Inspector Deans said: "Extensive searches and enquiries are being carried out to trace him and establish […]

22/12/2025 533

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Community group blasts festive display vandals

A North Ayrshire community group has shown its anger towards vandalism of a festive display saying it puts future events "at risk". Irvine Events shared the news on December 17 on their social media condemning the incident that affected the Winter Wonderland set-up at the town's Bridgegate. The image on the group's post shows miniature Christmas trees plotted in the display, leading up to the town centre's Trinity Hub, to have been forced on their side up the sloped grass bank […]

18/12/2025 81

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Talbot give local pupils creative spotlight

Primary school children in Auchinleck have been given the opportunity to produce a "truly outstanding" design for their local team's big cup tie. The plea comes in the build-up to Auchinleck Talbot's Scottish Cup meeting with Premiership giants Celtic in January with kids from Auchinleck and St Patrick's Primary School being tasked by the club with designing the matchday programme cover. The final designs will be entered into a competition with the winner to be displayed on the club's Black […]

16/12/2025 26 3

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Serious crash prompts police appeal

Police are appealing for information following a "serious" crash in East Ayrshire at the weekend. The crash happened on A713 between Hollybush and Polnessan at around 4.45pm on Saturday 13 December involving a black Vauxhall Mokka and a female pedestrian. Emergency services were alerted to the scene with the female pedestrian's condition described as "critical" after being taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Following the incident, Sergeant Gordon Stewart said: "Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full […]

15/12/2025 480

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Garden centre fire forces closure

A garden centre in South Ayrshire has announced its closure for the "foreseeable future" following an early morning fire. The blaze was reported in the early hours of Monday morning at Hayes Garden Land in Symington causing destruction to the centre and its café. People in Ayrshire reacted to the news on social media with some believing it is an "awful and tragic" incident to happen to "an amazing team of staff and owners". A spokesperson from the centre said: […]

15/12/2025 242 4 2

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