THE group responsible for identifying potential improvement plans in Irvine have welcomed the confirmation of £20 million funding for the town.

Irvine is one of seven "overlooked" Scottish towns who will be receiving the money over a 10-year period as part of their 'levelling up' scheme.

The move was announced back in 2023, however fears were raised that the change in government leadership could lead to a U-turn on the decision.

However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her autumn budget confirmation that each of the 75 towns across the UK was still set to benefit.

The announcement has been warmly welcomed by the Irvine Town Board, which has been set up to decide the projects that this cash will be spent on.

The board will work with North Ayrshire Council to develop the plan, setting out how local partners will use their knowledge, powers, assets, and new funding to deliver for their communities.

The process of consultation commenced earlier this year and the board are looking forward to beginning to action upon this.

Chair Bill Nolan commented: “The positive and often highly imaginative responses by Irvine people to a major consultation programme has been excellent and has shown that a sense of pride in what was once a Royal Burgh still exists.

"Irvine’s willingness to be involved as a community at different levels was another major factor in the town being given the go-ahead for this level of public funding, investment and support which could be in place annually for the next 10 years.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for Irvine and for the entire local community, and we are very aware of that.

"Our success will only be judged on one criterion and that is 'has it made a difference?' which is why our emphasis will be on consultation and listening to people."

Chris Pless, vice-chair, encouraged more locals to get involved with further opportunities to share their views in the coming weeks.

He said: "This listening to the views and ideas of local people is what will drive this opportunity for improvement.

"This open consultation will be quite obvious over the next two Saturdays (November 9 and 16) within - and courtesy of - the Rivergate Shopping Centre where we will be actively promoting how we can take this forward now that we have been given 'the green light' that funding can be made available."    

Mr Nolan also moved to thank recently elected MP Alan Gemmell for his involvement and support in getting Irvine the added funding that it requires to turn the town around.

He added: “We are here to complement the work of North Ayrshire Council by using this new funding support as a catalyst for innovation and change and that would not have been possible without Alan’s active support within Government circles.”