Ayr Gaiety: Latest Drama
Remedial work on the Ayr Gaiety Theatre was due to start in mid-February, with much of the building shrouded in scaffolding and protective screens. However, although the scaffolding is in place to facilitate repairs to the walls and roof of the building passers-by will have noted little activity on the site.
Approximately £500,000 is available for the refurbishment of the building from the Town Centre Regeneration grant received from the Scottish Government. This funding is for the current financial year and has to be committed to aspects of the project before 31st March 2010.
The contractor appointed to undertake the repairs to the Theatre was William Skinner and Sons. Following negotiation on an extension to the contract to allow the commitment of the full funding package to the remedial work, South Ayrshire Council approved the award of an extended contract to the same company. This decision was taken at a meeting of the Leadership Panel on 9th February. The minutes for that meeting indicated that officers were instructed as follows: a contract be negotiated with the existing contractor, William Skinner and Sons, to carry out additional works in relation to the Gaiety Theatre, including dealing with fire prevention issues and lighting, etc. in accordance with the previous Council decision on the use of the Town Centre Regeneration Fund allocation providing that Best Value could be demonstrated.
At some point in mid February William Skinner and Sons ceased work on the site and it was reported that the company was in voluntary liquidation. This fact was reported to a council meeting on 2nd March 2010. Details of this report are not available but it would appear that the council accepted a recommendation
that the contract with William Skinner and Son Limited be terminated. SUbsequently, the council was advised that the contract for the external work had been awarded to Linea Construction Limited and that this company would commence on site on 15th March, 2010.
On 9th March it was reported that Linea Construction Limited have now been successfully
appointed to undertake the external works to the Theatre. There remained the requirement to
negotiate the further works to ensure the commitment of the full £500,000 awarded through
the Town Centre Regeneration Fund in the period to 31st March, 2010.
On 9th March permission was sought from the Leadership Panel of South Ayrshire Council to negotiate an
extension to an existing Construction Contract at the Gaiety Theatre, Ayr. The Panel was asked to approve a recommendation that council officers enter into negotiations with Linea
Construction Limited to negotiate an extension to their existing contract at the Gaiety, providing that Best Value can be
demonstrated.
The pathway to restoring the Gaiety to it's former glory is, like many of our roads and pavements, full of pitfalls for the unwary. For the average South Ayrshire punter is is very difficult to keep up with the diversions and developments.
MB
