MORE than a dozen jobs are soon to be created in Kilwinning, while the town's Main Street will also be given a new lease of life.
It comes after plans to reinvigorate the former Job Centre building on the street were given the green light by North Ayrshire Council's planning committee.
The development will see applicants Elliot Properties Ltd transform the vacant site into three different areas - one containing a coffee shop, another containing indoor fitness/gym facilities and a final part to be adjusted into three separate shop units.
They anticipate that the coffee shop would create four jobs, the retail units would create two per shop, totalling six jobs, and the gym/fitness facility would create a further six jobs.
Supporting documents for the application, which was submitted back in November, further explain the plans for each of the three areas.
In relation to the coffee shop/cafe, they say this will be: "A coffee shop with ancillary toilet accommodation and new shop frontage accessed off Main Street, fitted out to a high standard to provide coffees, teas, soft drinks, snacks, etc, with internal seating for 16 and external seating within the pedestrianised area for 30 approximately, all within boundary ownership of the building."
Other documents do state that the appropriate person should apply to NAC Roads Department for permission for the proposed pavement seating.
While referring to the three shop units, they add: "Three mixed used use retail units with ancillary toilet accommodation and new shop frontages, all accessed off Main Street."
The plans for the gym facility, which would be accessed via the rear car park rather than from Main Street, were explored in greater details.
Documents state: "The unit will provide full workout fitness programmes via one to one personal training and group training with a complete range of exercise equipment, step, cycling, running, rowing plus weights for full body workouts.
"The group exercise classes will consist of up to 20 individuals in classes such as zumba, pilates, aerobics, fitstep, circuit training, yoga, etc. with approximately 40 classes per week. There will also be facilities for physiotherapy and well being clinics.
"The unit will provide excellent facilities within the Kilwinning and surrounding areas for fitness, well being and lifestyle choices for all age groups and also varying abilities."
The plans were officially approved earlier this month, giving the development the green light to begin.
Though two conditions have been attached - stating that plans for ventilation systems (which were not included in their original documents) should be detailed to North Ayrshire Council as the planning authority, before the commencement of works to fit out the premises.
Also prior to work beginning, full details of any roller shutters to be installed on the building must be submitted to the council.
To view the plans in full, visit the council's online planning portal, and search for reference 22/00848/PP.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here