ACE is bringing Girvan’s historic Bandstand back into use as a welcoming café, flexible events venue and community space.

In June 2026, the keys to the Bandstand were formally handed over to ACE, marking the completion of the purchase and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the building.

Following several years of development work, consultation, surveys and detailed design, ACE has now secured the funding package required to deliver the capital restoration of the building. The project is progressing with a conservation-led design team and specialist advisers, with the aim of protecting the Bandstand’s historic character while creating a practical, accessible and sustainable space for the future.

Updates will continue to be shared here and through the Adventure Carrick and Bandstand Facebook pages.

 

 

History of the Bandstand

Girvan Bandstand was built in 1907, after Stair Park was gifted to the community by the Bargany Estate in 1875.

The single-storey building was constructed from brick, concrete, timber, tile and decorative ironwork, with a footprint of approximately 67 square metres. Originally operating as a tea kiosk, it provided refreshments for local residents and the hundreds of visitors who came to Girvan’s seaside.

The Bandstand also hosted musicians, Pierrot troupes and other seaside entertainers. When traditional seaside entertainment declined during the 1960s, the building continued to be used by community groups, including as a meeting place for older residents.

The building became vacant during the 1990s and has remained unused since. Over time, its condition has deteriorated significantly, with damage to the floor and incidents of vandalism, graffiti and fire-setting. The building is currently secured and fenced off while the restoration project progresses.

Our Plans

ACE will restore the Bandstand and bring it back into active community use.

The refurbished building will include an indoor and outdoor café, flexible seating and facilities for walkers, visitors and people using Stair Park, the beach and promenade.

The space will also have the flexibility to accommodate:

• Community activities and small events
• Music, performance and cultural activity
• Pop-up opportunities for local makers and producers
• Workshops, talks and exhibitions
• Volunteering, learning and skills development
• Activities delivered with local organisations and community groups

The ambition is to create a lively and welcoming destination that champions local produce, supports community participation and contributes to Girvan’s wider regeneration.

The plans reflect the Bandstand’s original use as a tea kiosk while introducing a contemporary and sustainable approach. There are no plans to significantly extend the footprint or fundamentally change the shape of the building.

As much of the original structure and historic character as possible will be retained, repaired and restored. The building will also be carefully modernised to meet current standards and ensure that it can continue to serve Girvan for generations to come.

The Latest Designs

O’Donnell Brown Architects have developed the latest designs for the restoration, working with a team of conservation, engineering and construction specialists.

The designs build upon the earlier concept work and the feedback received through community consultation. They show how the historic building can be sensitively restored while becoming a functional café, venue and community space.

The designs will continue to guide the project as it moves through the detailed technical and construction stages.

The latest proposals for the restored Girvan Bandstand.

The proposed internal layout, creating a flexible space for café use, events and community activity.

The restoration will retain the Bandstand’s distinctive character and historic features wherever possible.

Progress So Far

2022

ACE began discussions with South Ayrshire Council about purchasing the Bandstand and bringing it back into community use.

2023

ACE formally submitted an offer after the Bandstand was placed on the market.

South Ayrshire Council carried out a public consultation on the proposed sale. Around 200 responses were received, with overwhelming support for ACE’s proposal and no objections recorded.

ACE also began submitting funding applications to support the early development of the project.

2024

Funding was secured to begin the development stage, allowing ACE to commission concept designs, surveys and specialist reports.

This work included:

• A building condition survey
• Structural investigations
• A rot inspection
• A conservation report
• A renewable energy assessment
• An assessment of the original ironwork
• A crime-prevention survey
• Initial cost planning

Glasgow-based design agency Graven produced the initial concept designs.

The Sheriff Court approved the sale of the Bandstand to ACE, allowing South Ayrshire Council to progress the transfer of ownership.

ACE also held a series of community consultation events, including a pop-up café at the Bandstand. The proposals received strong support, with residents sharing ideas about how the building could be used and developed.

2025

ACE appointed conservation-led architects O’Donnell Brown following a competitive tendering process.

O’Donnell Brown and their specialist design team began progressing the proposals through the detailed development stages, preparing the project for capital delivery.

Further support was secured from the William Grant Foundation, Carrick Futures and the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Girvan’s Story partnership.

Applications were also submitted to Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.

2026

ACE secured further capital funding from Historic Environment Scotland through the Girvan’s Story partnership.

The Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund application was also successful, completing the principal funding package required for the capital restoration.

In June, the keys to Girvan Bandstand were formally handed over to ACE, completing the purchase and making ACE the new owner of the historic building.

O’Donnell Brown and the wider design team have continued to develop the technical designs and prepare the project for construction.

Capital Funding Secured

ACE has now secured the funding package required to deliver the capital restoration of Girvan Bandstand.

This includes support from:

• The Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund
• Historic Environment Scotland, through the Girvan’s Story partnership
• The National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Girvan’s Story partnership
• Carrick Futures
• The William Grant Foundation

This funding will support the conservation, repair and redevelopment of the Bandstand building.

Alongside the capital project, ACE will continue developing the operational plans for the café, events programme and community activities that will bring the restored building to life.

Our Funders and Supporters

The Bandstand Project has been made possible through the support of a wide range of funders, partners and organisations, including:

• South Ayrshire Council Community Wealth Building
• Architectural Heritage Fund Project Viability Grant
• Scotland’s Regeneration Forum
• Nadara Assel Valley
• Girvan Community Council
• Coastal Communities
• Community Empowerment Fund
• Architectural Heritage Fund Development Grant
• Carrick Futures
• William Grant Foundation
• National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Historic Environment Scotland
• Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund
• Girvan’s Story

We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported the project and helped bring the restoration of the Bandstand closer to reality.

Community Support

Girvan Bandstand is an iconic local building with an important place in the history and identity of the town.

Its restoration has been identified as a community priority through several local plans and consultations, including the Girvan Charrette report, Thriving Places Plan and Create Streets consultation.

ACE responded to the community’s desire to see the building saved by successfully bidding to purchase it from South Ayrshire Council and bring it back into community use.

The proposed sale received overwhelming public support through South Ayrshire Council’s consultation process. Further community engagement events held by ACE during 2024 also received a very positive response to the concept designs and plans for the building.

Community involvement will continue as the project develops. ACE wants the Bandstand to become a place that reflects Girvan, responds to local needs and provides opportunities for people to participate, volunteer, learn and connect.

Everyone Is Welcome

We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities feel safe, valued and able to participate.

Our aim is to ensure that no one is excluded from enjoying what the Bandstand will have to offer. We will continue working with the community to identify and remove barriers to participation and to make our activities, events and facilities as accessible as possible.

Information about the Bandstand will be written in clear, straightforward language wherever possible. Anyone requiring information in another format or additional support to access the project is encouraged to contact us.

Accessibility remains an important consideration throughout the building’s restoration and the development of its future activities.