The Let Ayr Shine pilot programme has put some extra sparkle back in to Ayr town centre, thanks to the hard work of South Ayrshire Council, Ayr Renaissance and support from residents and businesses.
Let Ayr Shine is a new civic pride campaign, designed to encourage people to take responsibility and pride in their town and reflect that in their behavior.
Councillor Peter Convery, Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and the Environment said: "Let Ayr Shine has been a resounding success.
"Many local residents, business owners and visitors have congratulated South Ayrshire Council and Ayr Renaissance on the difference that the Let Ayr Shine pilot project has made to Ayr town centre.
"The project really got people talking about the teams working away in the town centre, carrying out a range of improvements. I truly believe this has inspired many people to take more pride in the town centre.
"I would like to thank everyone who has supported this pilot project, and ask them to continue to work with us in the future.
"This is not the end of Let Ayr Shine. The pilot programme has been the catalyst to encourage businesses and local people to take a fresh look at the town and see how they can work with us to ensure it is the best it can be."
The pilot project focused around a number of town centre streets which were selected after taking into account improvements that were requested by locals, businesses and visitors to the town.
Improvements included removing fly posting and graffiti; removing weeds and vegetation; jet washing bollards, street furniture and bins and if needed repainting bollards, street furniture, bins and lighting columns.
The Let Ayr Shine team worked throughout the two weeks pilot programme and achieved everything they set out to do:
- 117 bollards, 262 rubbish bins, 15 bike racks 8 light lanterns, 6 walkway railings and the clock at Burns Statue Square were powerwashed and painted.
- All high level vegetation within the town centre removed which spruced up landmark buildings such as Ayr Town Hall, Wallace Tower and St John's Tower.
- All accessible flyposting removed.
- All accessible graffiti was removed.
- Five enforcement notices issued for litter offences.
- Powerwashed areas of concern near bus stops, food outlets and where excessive bird droppings.
- Vegetation removed around Ayr town hall car park.
- Fitted new slates to the roof of St John's tower and cut up and removed two fallen trees.
- Community support workers and environmental health officers carried out extra patrols.
- Wet weather did not stop work bins were removed, painted indoors and replaced within hours.
- Litter picking squads cleared alleys situated on their main routes.
- Some footpath repair work carried out.
- External entrance doors and windows at Ayr Town Hall painted and the entrance and foyer areas were redecorated.
The Council kept people updated via Twitter and responded to comments from them.
Alan Macdonald, Chair of the Board of Ayr Renaissance said: "Working in partnership we have achieved so much in a short space of time. The difference to Ayr town centre is remarkable.
"I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard on this pilot programme the support shown by residents and businesses is very much appreciated.
"Ayr town centre has so much to offer people and we must make sure that it continues to shine."
Let Ayr Shine is a pilot project and the intention is that the 'Let Shine' initiative will be rolled out to other town centres in the future.