Cunninghame Housing Association to buy the Irvine Bay building at Ardrossan Marina

After a series of bids from the Association, who are currently based in the town’s Glasgow Street, Irvine Bay have finally accepted an offer but the full details of the amount has yet to be announced.

The formal legal process for the acquisition of the offices is now underway and it is hoped, subject to final approval by the Scottish Government, that the Association will take possession of the premises in late February 2017.

This decision by Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Company helps to ensure that Cunninghame Housing Association remains within the Ardrossan area. It also brings more employment opportunities as more jobs will be created at CHA over the next five years, given their anticipated 100 per cent growth in our housing stock.

In terms of its existing offices, CHA have plans to refurbish the premises and set up a Community Enterprise Trust which will provide office accommodation for small to medium sized enterprises and Training and Employment opportunities for North Ayrshire residents. This will bring additional employment opportunities into Ardrossan and will also have a positive impact on local shops and businesses.

Frank Sweeney, Chief Executive of Cunninghame Housing Association, stated: “Given our significant projected growth over the next five years, and the projected additional recruitment of staff we are absolutely delighted that we have been able to purchase the offices, which allows the organisation to remain in Ardrossan. In particular, I would like to put on record my thanks to the local MP, MSP and various, not all, local councillors who wrote letters of support to the Irvine Bay Board.

“This is a sizeable investment that the Association is making to the Ardrossan Harbour site and indeed in overall terms to the Town Centre, we would hope that the debate on the future of the local Harbour is concluded quickly to allow us to develop our future initiatives for our tenants and our community.”

Kenneth Gibson MSP and Ardrossan and Arran Councillor John Hunter attended at the offices last week and both were filled with enthusiasm. 

Mr Gibson said: “I think it will be a key part in the regeneration of Ardrossan. What we are looking to see in this is area is an increase in the number of jobs from about 125 to 150 so that alone will provide a local boost for the area and they are even talking about a community cafe being put into the building so when customers come along to pay their rent they have a coffee, so I think it will bring a bit of activity to this part of Ardrossan and it’s a wonderful building and it will be a big lift to the staff of CHA and it shows their commitment to Ardrossan at the heart of their operations. 

“I think it’s key that it is being used and I think that it’s a vote of confidence in Ardrossan and obviously we have a decision in a couple of months about the ferry route to Arran. I think that the confidence Cunninghame Housing Association have shown will be a big boost and will help dot the I’s and cross the T’s on that decision so it is a really good day for Ardrossan, it’s a great day for Cunninghame Housing Association, its staff and its customers.”

Independent Councillor John Hunter said: “First of all I am delighted that the building is going to come into major use and not just a portion of it. I am very glad that it is Cunninghame Housing Association. They tell me that they will keep their premises in Glasgow Street open for other businesses such as social enterprise companies so it’s not as if it is just moving from one place to another, it will create more jobs. 

“There’s been negative comment about the building and the usual white elephant talk but I think it was a big office and it was taking time to let and this keeps CHA at the forefront of social housing. 

“I think that it shows a vitality and an energy about the place and when you see it at night lit up it looks great too.”

The association will share a part of the building with BPO Collections moving from the Grange Business Centre in Stevenston.