Council chiefs insist Ayr will be open for business this Christmas despite the ongoing chaos at the top of the town caused by the fire-ravaged Station Hotel.

Extra festive activities will be laid on in a bid to boost footfall and drive more cash through the tills of businesses hit hard by the lack of trade following September’s devastating blaze.

Each weekend from next Saturday (November 25), a range of free attractions will be hosted at The Grain Exchange, Cutty Sark Centre and Ayr Central Shopping Centre. From 12 noon-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, families will be invited to take part in the likes of snowflake making, Christmas clay modelling, face painting and Christmas themed games.

Local choirs will be drafted in to perform and give the town a yuletide feel as council bosses scramble to try and save the festive season with many businesses reporting a plunge in trade following the Station Hotel fire.

We told how the BP garage which sits on Station Bridge Road has lost more than £200,000 since the devastating blaze – while a host of other retailers have lost tens of thousands of pounds.

Council bosses today announced a financial support package for the worst affected and said their renewed campaign to draw people into the town this Christmas would ensure a boost in footfall.

Council leader, Martin Dowey, said: “I want local retailers to know that the council is here to support them. Our extended range of festive activities is just what the town centre needs ahead of Christmas. Plus, we’ll soon be launching our promotional campaign so that everyone knows Ayr is open and ready to welcome their custom.

“We’ve also been working hard behind the scenes on specific business support grants for shops and businesses in the immediate area of the closures that are severely impacted.”

Two hours of free parking in the town centre is among the other incentives being used to draw paying punters into the town.

Tourism spokesman, Councillor Alec Clark, said: “I’m pleased that we’re enhancing our festive entertainment programme in Ayr town centre over the next few weeks. This will help to attract more visitors and locals to the area.

“Christmas is a time where people traditionally gather to enjoy seasonal activities like shopping, eating out, and being entertained. We’ve substantially upped our range of activities to give families more opportunities to come together to create special memories, while supporting local retailers. Two hours’ free parking in the town centre is also a great incentive to pay a visit.”

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