The renovated property, one of the town's few surviving historic buildings, has reopened in the centre of New Cumnock as the New Cumnock Re-use Hub, known locally as Trotter's. The project was driven by New Cumnock Development Trust (NCDT) and backed by a funding package including the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, the UK Government's Community Ownership Fund, the East Ayrshire Council Renewable Energy Fund, the Scottish Land Fund and wind farm community benefit funds from South Kyle, Afton and Hare Hill Extension. In total, £2,917,393 has been secured to bring the site back into use.

Designed to foster re-use, creativity, enterprise and community connections, the venue features a café (opened in May 2026), workshops teaching repair skills in textiles and woodwork with scope for further creative uses, a pop-up shop for local makers, a hireable co-working hub and a flexible community space.

Chair of the NCDT Board John Hunter welcomed the Minister and guests to Trotter's, with the official opening carried out by Iain 'Budgie' Burgoyne, the Trust's Vice Chair and a long-standing volunteer who has devoted years of time and energy to the scheme.

East Ayrshire Council's Depute Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Transport and Communities, Councillor Jim McMahon, attended alongside local members Councillor June Kyle and Councillor Neill Watts. He said: "What a great day for New Cumnock. This is community regeneration at its very best and it's fantastic to see this landmark building being preserved in such a way. New Cumnock Development Trust worked hard to secure funding to help turn their vision for this building into a reality – and what we have today is a real asset for the local community, which nurtures and celebrates local talents and skills."

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John Hunter added: "Bringing the Trotters building back into use is a significant milestone in the re-imagining of the village centre and a proud moment for New Cumnock Development Trust. A project of this scale has taken years of determination, partnership and hard work.

"I am grateful to the community for placing its trust in us, to our funders whose support made the re-development possible and to every volunteer, trustee, partner, contractor and colleague who helped turn an ambitious idea into a lasting community asset. It has been a privilege to work alongside so many brilliant people and to see our shared vision for Trotters become a reality."

Business and Fair Work Minister Tom Arthur said: "It was a great pleasure to visit Trotters and see the amazing transformation that has taken place.

"The Scottish Government has provided more than £2 million through our Regeneration Capital Grant Fund to help turn a site which had stood empty for two decades into a modern vibrant building which is now home to thriving businesses.

"I look forward to hearing about the continuing success story of Trotters and hope it inspires others to look at ways of regenerating their communities."

INCH Architecture collaborated with NCDT on a sensitive design that retained and preserved the building's existing structure. Engineering firm Cundall delivered a fabric-first retrofit, stabilising structural defects and prioritising the repair and strengthening of original timber, masonry and steel over replacement. Performance upgrades, including an air source heat pump, have reduced operational energy demand.

Guests enjoyed lunch at the Cafe@Trotter's before taking guided tours of the refurbished space.

New Cumnock, a town of around 2,650 residents in East Ayrshire, has faced reduced employment opportunities following the closure of mines and the decline of manufacturing and construction. The Local Development Plan and Placemaking Action Programme identified priority buildings for redevelopment, including the former Trotter's department store, which had been vacant for over two decades and was not considered viable for private investment.

Established to drive regeneration and improve social outcomes with a focus on sustainability, NCDT gained charitable status in 2018. Its Regeneration Masterplan, shaped by consultation with more than 250 residents, highlighted the reuse of vacant buildings, skills development and new retail and café offerings as local priorities.

Support from the Scottish Land Fund enabled options appraisal and feasibility work for a reuse and repair hub, with Stage 2 funding allowing NCDT to acquire the Trotter's site. In late 2021, a £75,337 UK Community Renewal Fund grant delivered a pilot reuse hub elsewhere in the town, refurbishing IT equipment and bikes and providing training opportunities for young people, while capital funding was assembled for the permanent hub.

The completed project at 72–84 Castle provides 641m2 of space, including workshops, retail/café with shopfront, a reception, training and meeting rooms, offices and hot-desking for local enterprises, and a welcoming community area for residents to come together.