NEW TENANTS for the Irvine Bay development at Ardrossan Marina could be taking shape next month - despite the fact that a bid was already rejected at the end of 2015.

Cunninghame Housing Association this week confirmed that they had put in a bid to move from their current premises in Glasgow Street to take up residency in the recently completed building near to the Ardrossan Ferry Terminal.

But whether their dream will become a reality is yet to be seen as Irvine Bay knocked back their initial bid.

Frank Sweeney, Chief Executive of Cunninghame Housing Association said this week: “We put a bid in and we are continuing to have discussions with Irvine Bay. We are hoping to have a revised bid in for the next Irvine Bay board meeting in February and we hope Irvine Bay will like the revised proposals.”

Although this will mean that they will move out of Glasgow Street Mr Sweeney is hoping that this will open up the door for something new for the Three Towns.

He explained: “We will hopefully move and plans are at the early stages to turn our current offices in a social enterprise hub which will target social enterprises in the Three Towns and North Ayrshire. This will possibly attract further employment and the impact it would have on local shops would be an improvement. We are keeping the retail units in the new development if we are successful in our bid.”

Omar Elmi, Commercial Director, Irvine Bay, said: “CHA made an offer to purchase the Ardrossan Quayside building. The package was rejected by the Irvine Bay Board in December due to a number of reasons. Discussions are ongoing.”