A SHUT pub and popular dance venue is now set to be transformed into seven flats and smaller takeaway bar restaurant.

Plans to turn the first and second floors of Irvine’s former Burns building into flats and studio were approved last week – with the owner planning to turn the ground floor into a smaller bar, restaurant and hot food take away.

The three-story establishment, which closed its doors in 2019, was snapped up at auction for £105,000 reduced from its previous price of £425,000 for the popular haunt.

Applicant Mohammed Akhtar, plans to now turn the licensed public house, which featured two bars, upstairs nightclub and restaurant into seven housing units in total over the two floors. The ground floor area will be the restaurant, bar and take away.

Irvine Times:

The plans were validated by North Ayrshire Council earlier in the year [May 19] after the application was submitted. 

The building was purchased again in December 2019 for the reduced price after it previously failed to be sold at auction.

However the Burns bar’s popular rave venue being used for housing didn’t go down well with all residents when the Times broke the news earlier in the year.

Jacqueline Johnstone said: “That’s shocking, the Burns was a great place. Take away and flats everywhere”.

Louise Edmiston commented: “Pft soon be nowhere in Irvine to go for a drink.”

A sad Kyle Smith added: “Wit! [sic] That’s absolutely devastating.”

Jennie Easdon said: “Looks like end of an era”, with her friend then adding: “Looks like I will be drinking on park benches.”

This comes after the Times revealed another shut High Street pub would soon be transformed into housing stock after The Kings Arms building was bought for £130,000 last year plus VAT of £26,000.

North Ayrshire Council announced the purchase of the Kings building back in May 2020 after the Times exclusively revealed the plans earlier in January - with Provost Ian Clarkson saying they would ensure the building was "well looked after".