THE £3.77million refurbishment of Saltcoats Town Hall is nearing completion and the first tenants will relocate in mid-February, ahead of the official opening by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday, March 14.

The revamped historic building will remain an important landmark for Saltcoats as local residents can access services via the new customer service centre, in addition to the stunning new marriage and function suite.

The Town Hall upgrade, which has been part funded by Historic Scotland and Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, has included a dramatic overhaul of the spacious main hall, which will be available for civic occasions, weddings and functions.

The smaller hall will also be available to hire for wedding ceremonies and other events, with spacious rooms for brides and grooms to ready themselves ahead of their big day.

The current Area Housing Offices in Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston will close on Friday, February 12, with services being delivered from the Town Hall from Monday, February 15.

Staff from the Three Towns housing offices will provide the full range of housing services from the new-look Town Hall and these services can be contacted on 01294 310005.

Staff from the Health and Social Care Partnership are also moving into the Town Hall from their Vernon Street office n February 15 and can be contacted on the same number.

People wishing to access other council services should continue to dial the customer contact centre on 01294 310000.

The Town Hall’s opening ceremony in March will formally mark a new lease of life for the historic building.

The original Town House was built in 1825-26 by Ayrshire architect Peter King and featured a distinctive clock tower, which has also benefited from an overhaul in the refurbishment programme.

The growth of Saltcoats led to the creation of the adjoining town hall in 1892 – by Glasgow architects W.H. Howie and H.D.Walton – which featured a main hall as well as a lesser hall or court room.

Over the years, the building has had various uses and once served as a cinema for the town.