Lawrence McPherson Associates is undertaking a feasibility study to renovate the bandstand on Girvan promenade.
The practice has been commissioned by local women's group Crafty Women (supported by the local Economic Development team Horizons) to come up with ideas to improve the bandstand which is a bit of a local eyesore.
The wrought iron bandstand, which dates back to Victorian times and is located on land gifted to the town by Lord Stair, has flaking paint and is in a general state of disrepair with graffiti on the walls and cracked plasterwork.
Lawrence McPherson Associates has been briefed to come up with alternative uses for the bandstand which will be eventually be submitted by Crafty Women for funding from a variety of funders.
Winifred Wright of Crafty Women said that she was disappointed by Scottish Screen, Scotland's national film agency's recent attempt to tout Girvan as a location for film - not as a quaint seaside town but as a "rather run-down fishing port and Victorian resort", ideal for a movie about the seedy side of life.
She said: "Girvan is a great town but the bandstand really lets the promenade down and we want to find ways to transform it into something that would benefit residents and visitors to the town alike, while still keeping the bandstand structure."
John Douglas of Lawrence McPherson Associates, said that the company is looking at a number of ideas for the bandstand.
He said: "The bandstand is in severe need of renovation and we are delighted to have this opportunity to come up with ideas for alternative uses for it. One of the ideas we are exploring is to extend the bandstand with a small café area that could be used by community groups in the area and local people, or enclose the bandstand in glass.
"The bandstand is in a fantastic location with great views of the sea and the park and could be a real focal point for the promenade."
Plans for the new bandstand will be submitted to Crafty Women in April.
Founded in 1994, Lawrence McPherson Associates has offices in Ayr and Musselburgh, Scotland. The Practice is the biggest architectural and town planning Practice in Ayrshire.
Current projects for the Practice include numerous hotel and restaurant developments throughout Scotland, several large housing developments throughout Central Scotland for both national housebuilding companies and Housing Associations, together with several important healthcare projects including the masterplan for the new Irvine Community Hospital. The Practice also provides planning advice on a wide range of development issues across Scotland.
Projects and further information can be viewed on the Practice's new web site at www.lawrencemcphersonarchitects.co.uk.
- ends -
Issued by BRIGHT Public Relations Ltd
On behalf of ARCHITECTS, Lawrence McPherson Associates
For further information please contact:
Christine Ferguson
BRIGHT PR on 0141 248 1234
Mobile 07753 573 706
christinef@brightpr.com