Part of the Diageo site at Hill Street in Kilmarnock is being considered for a new Kilmarnock College Campus to establish the town as one of Scotland’s most ambitious centres of education.

Diageo has agreed in principle to donate around eight acres of the 31-acre site to the College, with the land likely to become available after the plant closes in mid-2012. The company has held a series of meetings with the College and East Ayrshire Council to address a number of matters that could clear the way to handing over the land for the college development.

The discussions have been hailed by Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council as “a significant step forward” for Kilmarnock in terms of the regeneration of the town centre and reflects Diageo’s commitment to working in the community to help stimulate and facilitate the growth of the local economy.

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Diageo Scotland Managing Director, Bryan Donaghey, said that the company had a very good relationship with Kilmarnock College and East Ayrshire Council and was immensely impressed with ambitions for the future of the college and Kilmarnock and what they will mean for the town as a centre of innovation in education.

Bryan Donaghey said: “We have a number of detailed issues to work through, but Diageo wants to be involved in facilitating this very important development for Kilmarnock and we are working closely with the College and the Council to help make it happen.”

Kilmarnock College Principal & Chief Executive, Heather Dunk said: “The Board of Kilmarnock College would like to thank Diageo for the company’s intention to donate part of the Hill Street site to the College. This partnership will greatly help the College to proceed with its plans to develop a world-class campus in the town.

“The relocation of the College to this site will help provide high quality learning for generations to come. Also it will be significant in creating a vibrant heart of the town.”

(GK)