South Ayrshire Council’s vision of turning Ayr Town Hall into a vibrant civic facility is soon to become a reality with a programme of building works set to transform the building.

Located in the main hall at Ayr Town Hall is an original Victorian pipe organ that was built by Messrs Lewis and Company Limited in 1903.  The organ is of very high quality and the outstanding acoustics within the hall allow the music coming from it to be heard at its best.

Due to an accumulation of dust, grit and the age of the organ it needs to be dismantled, fully serviced and restoration work carried out.  Any existing damage will be repaired, all parts will be cleaned and restoration work carried out, the cost of this operation will be £60,000.

Messrs Michael Macdonald, Organ Builders of Glasgow have agreed to dismantle parts of the organ and protect the existing parts when building work starts at the Town Hall.  Once all works are complete the company will reinstate the pipe work, reinstall the organ and regulate and finely tune it at a further cost of £14,960. 

Councillor Gibson T. Macdonald, the Leader of South Ayrshire Council said:  “The Victorian organ is an amazing musical instrument that has pride of place within the heart of Ayr Town Hall.  As the Council is embarking on extensive restoration of the building that was the heart of the Royal Burgh of Ayr it makes sense to carry out the reinstatement of the organ at the same time.   This restoration has been needed for the last 20 years so it gives me great personal pleasure to announce that at long last the Council will use the Common good fund to save this “Civic Treasurer” for future generations to see, hear, enjoy and treasure.  It is all part of restoring the Civic Heritage and Pride in the ancient Royal Burgh of Ayr. 

“The company that will carry out the restoration work is a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen. The organ currently has an insurance replacement value of £750,000 and by fully servicing and repairing the organ it will preserve it so that people can enjoy it for years to come.

“The organ restoration work is just one part of an ambitious plan to revitalise the building and make it a civic building that is vibrant and used for a range of diverse activities.  It needs to be used more often by people, for exhibitions, conferences, various forms of entertainment, as a whole event wedding venue and much more. 

“It is important that Ayr Town Hall is a living breathing part of the community and attracts people from all over Scotland, Europe and beyond as a “must have” venue.  Attracting more people to Ayr Town Hall will bring a much needed boost to the local economy. 

“2009 is the year of Homecoming Scotland’ and I would be delighted to see the building being used for celebrations that year that could be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.”

The work to protect and overhaul the organ and reinstate it of £75,000 in total will be funded from the revenue budget for repairs to Common Good properties in 2006/07 and 2007/08.

Ayr Town Hall has been the venue for Ayr Music Festival and other high profile events such as Septembayr and Burns and A’That.  A number of concerts by leading professional orchestras and artists have been broadcast on national radio and school and community concerts have been held there.

Phase one of the work will concentrate on:

• The main hall.
• Council chamber.
• Provosts room.
• Main ladies and gents toilet facilities.
• Main kitchen and servery area.
• Changing accommodation for artists and performers.
• The District Court.
• Licensing Offices.

Following a tendering exercise it is estimated that approximately £1.2 million will be required to carry out the programme of works, the funding for this being met from the capital reserves in the Ayr Common Good Fund.

The organ at Ayr Town Hall is the focus of the main hall and will soon be restored to its former glory.

October 2006