See a full set of our information posters designed by Graven here: The Bandstand Project Concept & History
In Spring 2023, ACE formally bid to buy Girvan’s iconic and historic Bandstand (located in Stair Park, Girvan) from South Ayrshire Council for the community. As we go through the process of getting the keys and starting our ambitious renovation plans, we’ll be posting updates here and on our Facebook page. Make sure to follow us to keep up to date with the project!
History of the Bandstand
The bandstand was built in 1907 after Stair Park was gifted to the community by the Bargany Estate in 1875. It is a single storey building built of brick, concrete, wood, tile and original ironwork, with a footprint roughly 67 sq metre. Originally built as a tea kiosk, it was used to provide refreshments to locals and hundreds of tourists who visited Girvan. It also played host to seaside entertainers including Pierrot Troupes and musicians. In the 1960s when seaside entertainment waned, the building was used by various community groups including a meeting place for elderly people. It became vacant and fell into disrepair in the 1990s and has sadly lain empty since. In recent years, part of the floor has collapsed, and the building has been victim to instances of antisocial behaviour including graffiti and arson. It is currently fenced off.
Our Plans
ACE has ambitious and achievable plans to fully refurbish the building into an indoor/outdoor cafe with flexible seating and facilities for walkers and adventurers. As well as a cafe, we want the building to be used as an events space and small venue – it could even be used as a pop-up venue for independent makers and creators in the local area! We want it to be a cultural space which champions local produce and offers quality refreshments in a unique and historic setting and most importantly, benefits the community as widely as possible.
The plan is to restore as much of the building as possible, retaining as many features as possible. We know the building is in a very poor state at the moment, but we are confident we can return it to its former glory! As well as speaking to its legacy the building will be modernised and upgraded to ensure it lasts for another 100 years in good condition.
Our plan very much speaks to the original use of the building as a tea kiosk but with an updated and contemporary approach which we hope will appeal to our community as well visitors using the nearby beach and promenade. There are no plans to extend the building or change its shape in a significant way. Read more via the flyers below:
Timeline
2022
- ACE started talks with South Ayrshire Council about buying the Bandstand.
2023
- Spring: ACE formally submits an offer to SAC as the Bandstand is put up for sale.
- Summer: ACE’s offer is formally accepted and SAC put the project out for consultation to the local community. There are 200 responses, 199 of which are deemed positive, and 1 of which is deemed neutral. There are no objections to the sale, and SAC prepare to present the proposal to the Sheriff Court and to SAC’s Cabinet.
- Autumn/Winter: A number of funding applications are submitted to start the development phase of the project, including to Community Wealth Building, Architectural Heritage Fund, and SURF.
2024
- February – July: ACE are successful in their funding bids and can begin the development phase of the project. This includes commissioning surveys and having concept plans drawn up. Glasgow-based Graven create the concept designs and several consultants carry out surveys on the building, including:
- Condition Survey
- Structural Survey
- Rot Inspection
- Conservation Report
- Renewable Energies survey
- Ironworks assessment
- Crime Prevention Survey
- April: The Sheriff Court approves the sale of the Bandstand to ACE, and SAC proceed with the conveyancing process to hand over the keys.
- April – September: ACE hold 4 community consultations over a period of 4 months, including a pop-up cafe at the Bandstand. Feedback is mostly all positive and the concept plans are warmly welcomed.
- August: A fully-costed QS report is commissioned and delivered based on the information and surveys already delivered.
- August – November: More funding applications are submitted to fund the final part of the development stage of the project.
- November: The sale of the Bandstand is nearly concluded, and ACE continue to work with SAC.
- December: Funding applications are approved for the next stage of the development phase of the project.
2025
- ACE seek to appoint a conservation-led architect design team to bring the project to RIBA stage 4. A preliminary timeline for the project is drawn up and conversations continue with funders.
- April: funding is secured to develop plans for the Bandstand to RIBA stage 4, and a brief for tender is drawn up with support from Girvan’s Story project officer.
- Our dedicated project officer is now working towards securing capital funding to progress the works.
Funding
We are grateful to have received funding from the following organisations (as of April 2025):
South Ayrshire Council Community Wealth Building
Architectural Heritage Fund Project Viability Grant
Scotland’s Regeneration Forum Ltd (SURF)
Nadara Assel Valley
Girvan Community Council
Coastal Communities
Community Empowerment Fund
Carrick Futures
Architectural Heritage Fund Development Grant
Feedback from the community
The bandstand is an iconic building in Girvan that is much loved by the community who are incredibly supportive of trying to bring it back into use. It has been identified as a priority project in the Charette report (2012), Thriving Places Plan (2021) and Create Streets consultation (2022). ACE responded to the community’s desire for the building to be saved and renovated by successfully bidding for the bandstand this spring from South Ayrshire Council to bring it back into community use. This has been widely welcomed by the community, with over 200 positive responses to the local authority community consultation document submitted in November 2023
We held several community consultation events across spring and summer of 2024, and received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the project.