PLANS for four new retail units to open at the site of a former Galston supermarket have been submitted.

The vacant Co-op building on Newmilns Road will be divided into one large unit and three smaller units.

The plan comes after the property, which has been stripped of all internal fixtures and fittings, remained neglected for several years.

It is confirmed that the large unit will house a food retailer, while the smaller units, described as 'high street units,' are being formed on a speculative basis.

The building is a steel frame retail unit, with the large unit benefiting from direct access from the car park.

The development is set to be called Loudoun Retail Park and aims to breathe new life into the once vacant property, which has been unoccupied for several years.

The Newmilns Road property was previously 'vacant' and suffering from 'neglect' (Image: Smith Design Associates)

Galston's Co-op closed permanently in 2018 after a new Tesco supermarket opened nearby. 

Gareth Downie, managing director of Downie Capital, and Paul McIvor, managing director of AQS Ltd, have begun working together with the aim of transforming the former supermarket.

They both grew up in the Irvine Valley, and Gareth would go to the Co-op for lunch whilst he attended Loudoun Academy.

These units will be visible from the main road and have pedestrian access from the north.

The applicant hopes for a mix of convenience retail and hot food takeaway businesses in these units, which are deemed too small for restaurant use.

External refurbishment of the building will include proposed rainscreen cladding, new shop frontages, and access to the north elevation frontage.

The current exterior, which has suffered from years of neglect, will also be given a 'facelift' to make it more appealing to the public.

The car park will be updated to comply with current DDA access legislation and meet customer expectations.

The building's transformation aims to bring retail activity back to the area, providing a boost to the local economy.

A new footpath and pedestrian access from the existing footpath and pedestrian crossing will be created, offering an accessible route to the units.

To view the plans, visit East Ayrshire Council's planning portal and search the reference 24/0446/PP.