Local MSP Brian Whittle has welcomed confirmation from the UK Government that they will provide £20 million in funding to refurbish Kilmarnock’s Palace Theatre & Grand Hall as well as a new town centre park.
The announcement from the UK Government came as they confirmed ten projects across Scotland would receive funding from the second round of its Levelling Up Funding, worth around £177 million in all.
Following East Ayrshire Council’s successful application to the UK Government, the funding will see the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall completely revamped, including the creation of a new café bar, a new shared entrance and completely refurbished back and front of house facilities to improve accessibility. The Council also plan to create and improve parkland in the area with a new pedestrian bridge over Kilmarnock Water, new outdoor performance space and a natural amphitheatre and improvements to the grounds around the Dick Institute, including a new outdoor canopy to support festivals and other events.
Scottish Conservative MSP Brian said the funding would help transform the area and create a new cultural centre for the town. The MSP also said the project would benefit the local economy, bringing new jobs and attracting more visitors to the town. He also welcomed the proposed improvements for pedestrians moving between the town centre and the area around the Palace Theatre, including replacing the existing underpass and linking up new cycles routes to Kilmarnock’s planned “Infinity Loop” cycle route.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“This announcement is a huge vote of confidence in Kilmarnock by the UK Government, and I’m delighted that the efforts of East Ayrshire Council staff have paid off so handsomely.
The Palace Theatre is an iconic Kilmarnock landmark and the £20 million being delivered by Rishi Sunak’s Government will give it and the Grand Hall a new lease on life.
By supporting these ambitious plans for Kilmarnock, the UK Government are putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to supporting communities across the whole of Scotland, helping to create a new future for the town.
After too many years of businesses closing up shop in the town, this massive injection of cash can help create a new future for the town, as well as preserving one of our biggest landmarks for future generations. I’m also pleased to see that the plans have a focus on improving pedestrian access and cycle routes that will mean Sturrock Street isn’t such a barrier to people moving between the Palace and the town centre.
I hope politicians on all sides, regardless of their politics, will welcome this £20 million investment by the Rishi Sunak’s Government and recognise how valuable this funding will be to Kilmarnock.”
