In support of East Ayrshire Council's priority of regenerating town centres, Kilmarnock is now benefiting from the appointment of a dedicated town centre manager, who took up her post this week.

Fiona Nicholson, the new town centre manager, will work closely with retailers and businesses within the town to promote Kilmarnock and to help ensure the town centre is an attractive and welcoming environment for residents, businesses and visitors.

Fiona is based at 34 John Finnie Street with the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme and Townscape Heritage Initiative teams.

She will act as a key point of contact for retailers and businesses in the town whilst the CARS and THI teams will continue to be the first port of call for property owners within the Conservation Area looking for professional advice and potential grant assistance in relation to carrying out repairs and improvements to the physical fabric of their properties.


Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: "I am delighted to see the town centre manager now in post. The Council is committed to working in partnership with businesses and retailers in order to drive forward the regeneration of the town. This appointment will help facilitate our commitment."

Councillor Jim Buchanan, Spokesperson for the Environment and Regeneration, said: "The new town centre manager will provide an accessible point of contact for all businesses in the town centre. I am especially pleased to see both the town centre manager and the CARS and THI teams now established in the heart of the Conservation Area, in a shop unit that was previously lying vacant. This shows the Council's commitment to ensuring its own offices and staff contribute to the regeneration of the town."

(GK/KMcA)