South Ayrshire Council has helped secure in excess of £1 million in Scottish Government funding to support two community-led regeneration projects in the county.
Funding split between Barr and Girvan projects
The award comes from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and will be split across the two schemes. A total of £500,000 has been allocated to the Barr Community Hub project for the redevelopment of Barr Village Hall, while £700,000 will be directed to the Girvan Bandstand project.
Both projects are being delivered by local community organisations in partnership with South Ayrshire Council. The funding is intended to enable refurbishment and conversion work that will provide space for activities, events and community facilities.
Local groups welcome the award
Chris Cullen, the council’s policy lead for leisure and community services, said the projects would be “a great benefit to the Barr and Girvan communities” and praised efforts to secure the funding. Community leaders also commented on the impact the grants will have.
"Adventure Centre for Education are delighted to receive this grant from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund of £700,000 towards the Bandstand Project in Girvan. This grant will enable us to progress the project and transform what is a derelict and dilapidated building into a community café and events space, safeguarding the future of the Bandstand for decades to come, benefitting our local economy, and providing new employment and training opportunities for the local community."
That comment was made by Chris Saunders, chief executive of Adventure Centre for Education, which is involved in the Girvan scheme. Neil Gillon, chair of Barr Community SCIO, said the RCGF award means the community can proceed to transform Barr Village Hall into a sustainable hub “for generations to come.”
What the projects aim to deliver
Project partners say the funding will be used to bring derelict or ageing buildings back into community use, creating spaces for social, cultural and training activities. The Girvan Bandstand project specifically mentions conversion into a community café and events space. The Barr project is described as a community hub based around the existing village hall.
- Barr Community Hub: £500,000 RCGF award for Barr Village Hall redevelopment.
- Girvan Bandstand: £700,000 RCGF award to transform the bandstand into a café and events space.
- Delivery: Projects to be delivered by community groups in partnership with South Ayrshire Council.
Practical implications for local residents
Once completed, the schemes are expected to provide venues for community activities and events, and to create employment and training opportunities locally, particularly in Girvan where the bandstand conversion is intended to include a café operation. The award from the RCGF is a capital grant aimed at making long-term improvements to community assets rather than providing revenue support.
| Project | RCGF award | Lead community partner |
|---|---|---|
| Barr Village Hall / Barr Community Hub | £500,000 | Barr Community SCIO |
| Girvan Bandstand | £700,000 | Adventure Centre for Education |
At this stage no detailed timeline for construction or opening has been published. The council’s role is framed as a partner supporting community organisations to access and manage the funding.
The awards form part of the Scottish Government’s wider RCGF programme, which provides capital investment for community regeneration projects across Scotland. For residents in Barr and Girvan, the grants represent a step towards improved local facilities and potential economic and social benefits derived from increased community activity and new local employment or training posts when the schemes are operational.
