Repurposing and Retrofit Panel

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The Repurposing and Retrofit Panel is a new vehicle to assist in bringing back vacant buildings and suggesting new uses for them. It is proposed that much of the initial work of the Panel will concentrate around the following six buildings:

  • Former BHS
  • Former Curves,
  • Former ABC Cinema
  • Former House of Frasers/ Lauders Emporium
  • Former Top Shop
  • Former Superdrug

Composition

The Repurposing Panel will consist of a “pool” of professionals working in the disciplines of:

  • Architecture
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Surveyors
  • Planning
  • Development/ Developers
  • Regeneration
  • Environmental sustainability

We also welcome other related professions, people or groups, such as members of the Local Business Community, that the Panel feels would add value to the process .

Remit

What will the panel do?

The Panel convened in January 2026. Set up by East Ayrshire Council, it functions as an independent body of experts brought together in the name of collaboration.

The Panel’s remit is to:

  • Engage
  • Collaborate
  • Enable
  • Inspire.

It will suggest new uses for buildings in a constructive and partnership environment. Rather than being reactive or complacent to the overall problems highlighted, the panel has adopted a proactive approach in addressing the blight of empty buildings.

Notably, the Technical Panel will be open, honest, and willing to share ideas, on prospective units as they visit them.


First visit - Former Frasers Building

Read the report of our first Panel visit to the Former Frasers Building

The Repurposing and Retrofit Panel is a new vehicle to assist in bringing back vacant buildings and suggesting new uses for them. It is proposed that much of the initial work of the Panel will concentrate around the following six buildings:

  • Former BHS
  • Former Curves,
  • Former ABC Cinema
  • Former House of Frasers/ Lauders Emporium
  • Former Top Shop
  • Former Superdrug

Composition

The Repurposing Panel will consist of a “pool” of professionals working in the disciplines of:

  • Architecture
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Surveyors
  • Planning
  • Development/ Developers
  • Regeneration
  • Environmental sustainability

We also welcome other related professions, people or groups, such as members of the Local Business Community, that the Panel feels would add value to the process .

Remit

What will the panel do?

The Panel convened in January 2026. Set up by East Ayrshire Council, it functions as an independent body of experts brought together in the name of collaboration.

The Panel’s remit is to:

  • Engage
  • Collaborate
  • Enable
  • Inspire.

It will suggest new uses for buildings in a constructive and partnership environment. Rather than being reactive or complacent to the overall problems highlighted, the panel has adopted a proactive approach in addressing the blight of empty buildings.

Notably, the Technical Panel will be open, honest, and willing to share ideas, on prospective units as they visit them.


First visit - Former Frasers Building

Read the report of our first Panel visit to the Former Frasers Building

Page last updated: 09 Feb 2026, 06:52 PM