AYR - The Changing Face of a Town
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- A look at some old images of Ayr, ranging in date from the late 18th century to the 1970s, and comparing the view with modern video footage to see what might be the same and what has changed. Thankfully, in Ayr, not a great deal has changed, and the town's buildings retain the sort of architectural charm and beauty that makes a visit to Ayr an utter joy. Sadly, like too many towns in Scotland, Ayr's High Street is struggling, and too many shops lie empty with big 'To Let' signs on their frontage. As you can see, it was just a few decades ago that all these streets were bustling thoroughfares teeming with activity, but now there is an air of abandonment. But, as I say, we still have those wonderful old buildings. Starting at the railway station, we lament the closure of the majestic railway hotel, and trips on an old steam train to the seaside. But, of course, Ayr's not just about the seaside, although it does have a wonderful beach. We wander by Burns Statue Square, and on down the High Street, and pause awhile to admire old photographs of the Tam o' Shanter Inn, a lovely old building whose roof is still thatched. At the foot of Ayr's High Street, in what was once known as Fish Cross, we admire the variety of shape and form of the buildings around the Cross, but also see many vacant shops that lie quiet and empty. Hard to imagine that in the 19th century this area was absolutely heaving with markets and noise and people having fun. In Newmarket Street we see a photo dating to the 1970s and a shop that was the Sales District Office of the National Coal Board. Today, Scotland no longer has a coal industry, and all around are 'To Let' signs. As we can see, in Sandgate Street many of the town's old buildings have survived, and again it is the sheer variety of the architecture that makes this street so appealing to visitors to Ayr. By the River Ayr and the old bridge we are aghast at just how ugly the Marks & Spencer and British Home Stores buildings are. How did we manage to get planning permission for such architectural abominations in an area of such historical importance? We see how a decline in the town's many industries has led to either a change of use, or demolition, of many old industrial structures, and how the Ayr of today, while largely intact, bears the scars of a decline in industry and employment that is evident throughout Scotland. Many visitors or tourists to the area probably don't visit Ayr at all. I imagine they probably make directly for Alloway and the Robert Burns experience. If only they realised what they are missing in the wonderful historical streets of Ayr. (Accompanying music by Eddy Burns.)
Hey Ed I’m 14 I was born in 2007 and I live in Ayr and I’m sad to say even in my short 14 years the amount of horrible changes to the town I call home is petrifying we may lose our famous station hotel, a lot of building have just been demolished, and our little shopping centre directly across from the Kyle centre I don’t know it’s name has shut down. Along with the Kyle centre, burns statue and all our famous statues are covered in crap they clearly don’t look after the towns history, the old Ayr academy has been modernised, and even though it has been a short 14 years i lived so far I worry for the future of Ayr, as I live on in Ayr I worry for the loss of old buildings
Many thanks for your comment. Ayr's a lovely place, but like far too many towns in Scotland it has its problems, the gradual decline after the loss of industries like coal mining in the 70s being one of many factors at play. As more folk become aware of the decline, more will voice their concern and, as they say, things can only get better. Try a letter to your local newspaper; that's always a good first step in trying to sort things out. All the best.
Stand your ground ma man! It's one of most corrupt councils in Scotland money on bike lanes to Castlewellan "were they all live" watching odeon towns hotel citadel all rot you won't see decline south ayr were they all are 😢
Enjoy these videos especially in these troubled times. Ayr is one of my favourite places and its interesting to see how it has and has not changed. Hope the publicity encourages serious thought on conservation and development of Ayr. Appreciate the effort put into this video.
Thanks Alan. Check the online page of See Ayr. They are an organisation that is addressing problems and improving the town.
I love Ayr as well
Love the then and now photos, so much change, but in some ways, lots not,
Thankyou Ed, for bringing another amazing, superbly documented video
So sad watching this again after the sad demise of the Station Hotel this week..😪
I'm inclined to think the building may still be standing, with only the roof and some internal bits destroyed, but I'm not sure. I don't know why the council didn't do more to take back ownership and do something with the building. It's all very sad indeed.
@@EdExploresScotland I am in Prestwick and plan to go over and see what remains after the fire and hopefully get some pics before it goes.. demolition signs went up 4 days after fire..
There is more than meets the eye to the hotel's current ownership..
is the mysterious MR Ung actually real? or is he just someone invented by the council to hide the fact they owned it all along..
with plans bandied about of moving council offices in to it..
but left it to long and the rot had set in..so didn't want to cop the blame??
Thank you for the video. born in Ayr 1951. Been back many times. Miss walking the High Street and getting a fish supper. Love the beach. Health problems won't allow me to return, so these videos are important to me. Again thank you.
Thanks John. I always enjoy a visit to Ayr. It's a lovely place. Take care.
Hi Edd, I remember going to Ayr in the mid 70's to mid 80's. Seems like the long coach trip from The Renton where I suffered travel sickness to the point of standing up at the journeys end to suddenly projectile vomit up the aisle of the bus, to all the passengers horror. Those were the days. I was a child then. The Magnum Centre and Butlins seem like a magical realm to me now. The old world picture of that old bridge with the buildings seen at the river level is just beautiful and awesome. We can not build anything as good as the old world buildings now. Thanks is Edd for your comparison films. It's awfy to see the old beautiful world swept away yo make way for a horrible shopping mall. Irvine appears to have entered my mindscape to compete with Ayr for nostalgic reasons.
Was raised in Ayr till I moved away for work up here in the Ochils. Went back there for the first time in 18 years a couple of weeks ago. It was just dreadful, the town looks like it's lost any heart or soul. Luckily like many towns, if you look up you can still appreciate the place.
The local councils in Scotland don't help the middle sized Scottish towns like Ayr. They need to grasp the fact that retail has changed and plan to make them appealing for other reasons. Where I live in Fife it s the same. Places that used to be thriving now like ghost towns.
Correct, and they should be held to account for their management outcomes. But, it's not fully within their control. Holyrood imposed a freeze on council tax increases, which limited local authority's to manage towns.
Hi. Ed. Sad to say that the Ayr Station. Hotel. Is a wreck, as after a recent fire in the Hotel, their is not much of the inside , to talk about, . I would love to see the Hotel and Ayr High Street on any High Street come back ti life, as my Husband William, remembers, the old High streets of both Ayr, and Kilmarnock, and old parts of Glasgow,, and Irvine, and the three towns Stevenston, Saltcoats, and Ardrossan, now all sadly depleted, if that's what they call progress, then we are all doomed. Thank you once again, enjoying the pleasure of looking at the old images, not the modern monstrosity or carbuncle, of today's Planners or builders.
Cheers Sarah.
You must have filmed the Main Street at the crack of dawn before all the junkies and bams surfaced. I don’t go into the town anymore unless I absolutely have to (the bank).
Ed, of all your films, this one of my hame toon is my favourite. I have returned to it several times since you uploaded it and, amongst other things, I think that the sign-off tune is a really up-lifting piece of music. Well done.
As that other Burns guy wrote:
"Auld Ayr, wham ne’er a town surpasses,
For honest men and bonny lasses."
Many thanks for that. Ayr's always a tremendous day out.
Very enjoyable
We'll presented Sir,thank you, very grateful seeing some historical information
Cheers Robert.
Remember going up with my grandad chick back in 94. He loved the place 🤙🏻
I intend to be one of those visitors to Ayr relatively soon, and I really appreciate your video opening my eyes in advance of that. I have family in the area, so I have many memories of childhood holidays bound up in Ayr. I've long thought it impressive that a town which so few seem have even heard of can nevertheless boast quite such a distinctive look - even if the likes of the Station Hotel have been left so such sad fates. Doubly so for the fact I'm entering and leaving by rail! Still, I'm looking forward to revisiting for the first time as an adult, especially now that you've pointed out a few more new sights for me to look out for.
Cheers Gemma. Enjoy your visit to Ayr. Certainly many folk will have memories of the nearby Butlins holiday camp.
Good video Ed, I like the contrast between old and new pictures. I've lived near and in Ayr for most of my life and have watched it from being a fairly exciting place to visit in the 1990's to becoming the fairly dismal ghost town it is today. There are many factors that contribute to this problem, but I think it is primarily due to the exorbitant cost of rents and business rates for any businesses trying to operate in the High Street. Most small businesses simply can't survive in a sustainable way due to these costs, so close down. A lot of the buildings in the High Street are in a poor state of repair and if you look above street level or behind them then this becomes obvious. Lack of investment by private landlords. A trend of apathy, bureaucracy and lack of money at the council is probably another factor, and this is in some way due to the way they have been squeezed by Scottish government cuts over the years. It's not unique to Ayrshire, it's all over Scotland, especially outside the central belt. There is plenty of money in Ayr, take a drive through the residential areas South of the town centre and you'll see street after street of nice houses and flash cars. I've often wondered why Ayr doesn't capitalise more on its seaside location, with regular events on the Low Green and a seafront that consists of shops, cafes and hotels rather than flats. If this was a town in England, 35 miles from a major city, with a direct rail link and dual carriageway, it would probably be bouncing every weekend with visitors to the seaside, who would also go into town and spend money. The town must adapt to changing times in order to survive. Give people a reason to come and they will.
Many thanks for your comment. I agree with so much of what you've said there.
I used to enjoy summer visits to Ayr. What I see there today is very sad. This is a lovely video, that is sentimental and sad.
Many thanks Martin. For all the issues, Ayr's still a grand place for a day out, especially with that beach and good weather forecast.
Brought back some lovely but sad memories, 1959 onwards the saturday at the ice rink, Pavilion, Bobby Jones, later Doonfoot garden centre and Bellisle Park, now theve cut down the trees, we will never get these memories back, so sad
I enjoyed this. I walked round Ayr and made a video back in November. I grew up in Prestwick and we would always go 'into the toon' at weekends to buy clothes, records and CDs, concert tickets, and for the nightlife. I think Prestwick's far busier now for nightlife than when I was stoating about in the late 80s and into the 90s. Actually, Prestwick might be an interesting place to make a video on as it seems to be going against the grain a wee bit. Mibbe I'll even do one myself. Shame I didn't film much footage back in the day! I guess your own town never really seems that interesting when you're in it!
Great video Ed. I love comparing old photos to the same modern views. The old houses always look better than today's eyesores. In the early 60's, we went to the nearby Maidens caravan site for a holiday, travelling to Ayr by steam train. I've rarely been back and its great to see so many intact old buildings, including Tam O'Shanters. Shops to let signs are in many towns and villages. There's a housing shortage in Britain, and lots of empty shops. Maybe there's a partial solution there? Keep up the good work.👍
Cheers. It would be nice, not to mention a crowd puller, to reintroduce a steam train on the Glasgow-Ayr line.
The high street is certainly in decline. Out of town retail parks, online shopping and the pandemic certainly played their part. It's always great being able to compare old images against the modern scene. Interesting to see what gems have survived. Hope you enjoyed the pint :-)
For some reason I forgot to mention supermarkets, and I think they have a major part in all this.
Thanks Eddie. I was born in Ayr. I like how you touched on the old Ayr of 50 years ago. What happened to our wonderful country ? The high streets are ghost towns. Fond memories of great places and people.
Cheers Scott.
i luv Scotland Ayr looks like it was once a thriving Town I've been there twice like everywhere shops r closing down what a shame hope 2 b visiting Scotland again this Yr can't stay away ❤
Ruined by Thatcher/tory and Blair/labour to help their support from south of the border (england)
A great video yet again Eddy. Those past and present pictures are truly fascinating, particularly the little tower known as Miller’s Folly, which I believe had some maintenance done on it a few years ago.
The Ayrshire coast is always well renowned for the legendary and historic golf courses to the North and South of Ayr.
Well done Eddy, a wonderful production, well researched and presented, take care and all the best, Rob.
Once again, many thanks Rob.
After watching this video I might give. Ayr another try, on my first visit it felt very depressed which sadley had put me off visiting again , this video has given me renewed interest
The Fish Cross scene at the end of Hope Street 10:30 is a mish-mash of several areas, put together to give the impression of one view. It’s still a nice painting though.
Keep up the good work. Great videos.
I hadn't realised that. Many thanks.
I've seen the drastic changes in Ayr in the last 15 years. Ayr was a place where it was a joy to shop but now...... Hopefully it can be regenerated by encouraging new shops to open. Reduce the parking restrictions & charges & encourage people to come to Ayr through events cultural & otherwise.
Ayr definitely needs something. Sad thing is I think it is a scenario that could be echoed all over Scotland. We seem to be on a downwards spiral, and I think it is the loss of industry that is to blame. We need to start making stuff for ourselves instead of buying cheap goods from abroad, otherwise there is little hope of real economic growth.
Your own music really complimented that video Ed. Fantastic as always. Thank you 👍🏻
Thanks Neville.
Loved your video Ed,Ayr is my hometown ,left there back in 84,been back many times over the years,but sadly it has changed so much,high st was always bustling ,but very quiet now, the photo of the seed store in york street brought back so many memories ,as i grew up in newton green,being born in Taylor street just around the corner ,miss it so much,thanks for the memories ,great video
Many thanks Jim. I'd like to see the area around Fish Cross back as a bustling market place. We can do this. It's not rocket science.
Can only see it happening if the council lowers rates as shopkeepers struggle to pay them,then again the big companies like walmart over here in the states has killed the little guy with their one stop shopping,would love to see Ayr come back to its former glory,i need to visit the brewery you were in on my next visit ,all the best 🏴
Just came across this video and I absolutely loved it so thank you for posting. I was especially happy to see that you had included the very old etching by William Miller of Isle Lane by the Fish Market. It’s hard to imagine where the buildings actually stood but the etching gives one such an intimate look into the lives of the people in those times. In researching my family history I came across a ggg grandparent who came from Ireland and lived in Isle Lane under wretched conditions. Thanks again.
Many thanks. That old etching shows such a vibrant market. The good old days.
Hi Ed. I can't remember if I've commented on your channel before but I've been watching for a few months now and enjoy the content immensely. I particularly enjoyed the quality of the older artwork and must say I completely agree with your comments regarding the ugly BHS/M&S architecture. I'm quite local to you in Yorkhill, so may tap you on the shoulder one day if I catch you out and about and offer to buy you a pint! Keep up the great work. It's obvious how much effort you put into making your videos.
Many thanks Michael.
I love geordie byre and my grandfather used to drink In there after Ayr races.
Great video, so well made as usual look forward to more like that, Ayr will ride out the retail storm and find new purpose for the high streets
Cheers John. Organisations like See Ayr (which is a great name with two meanings) will bring Ayr back for us all to enjoy.
Brilliant video Eddy.
I love see photos of the old and the new.
But yes…all these “to let “signs are appearing everywhere in the UK. Very sad to see and I don’t see things improving in the foreseeable future:-(
Thanks.👍
Beautifully made, Ed. Enjoyed this :)
Many thanks.
Always great to see ye’ ed!
Lovely Documentary I Live to Annbank
Thank you.
My Grandmother was born in 9;new Bridge street on 4/5/1896 Maggie Hamilton
another great video Ed, keep them coming.
Thanks 👍
Only came across your channel recently Ed... Keep up the good work! Subscribed. 👍
Thanks.
Appreciate your video updates on Scottish towns. Also am fond of your accent as my paternal forefathers/mothers came from Scotland - mainly south of Edinburgh. Slainte!
Cheers Jane.
Very good video Eddie. You put in the a lot of research into them .Well done.
Cheers.👍
My great grandmother immigrated from ayr to America in 1919 with her twin sister the mkie family.
Love your commentary ❤
Thank you.
My great grandmother was born in Ayr ❤
Cheers Ed, very interesting.
Thanks.
Very good indeed.
A GREAT VIDEO
Should do Troon next harbour has some crazy history
The high street is dead in nearly all UK towns. Thankfully, Ayr has the beach, low green, gardens, Wellington Square etc which is a lot more than grim places like Rochdale, Coatbridge, Airdrie, Middlesbrough etc have
i came across an ayr utd v rangers game from 1974 the other day on youtube. probably why youtube recommended your great video. what struck me immediately was the amount of industrial buildings that were visible just next to the ground. every single one of those buildings are now gone and all within living memory.
i was in ayr last summer and had heard about the demise of the station hotel. seeing the scaffolding and wrapping i assumed that work had finally begun to redress the years of neglect but was told its sole purpose was not so much to cover up the neglect but to stop the neglect from falling onto hapless passers by.
i also saw the statue of the chap with all the names. seem to recall he was some high heid yin in the british army that spent a career quelling restless natives in colonial india and no doubt suitably rewarded for his dirty work at the time but still needs to be revered these days apparently. on the one hand if ever something needed to be razed to the ground this could've been first in the queue. on the other a reminder that a lot of the wealth in these towns was built on mass theft from other countries is no bad thing.
Thanks for your comment. I also thought all that covering and scaffolding was a sign that repairs were underway at the Station Hotel. Sadly not. You only have to visit the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, which is a station hotel, to see how utterly magnificent these buildings can be. It's hard to imagine visitor accommodation in a better location - right by the train station.
My ex was a manager at the Station hotel, in its last open days. Seemingly bought by someone from far away shores, council had turned down their attempts to bring it back to life. Believe they still own it but no one will buy it and they aren't bothered to do any work on it now. Sad times.
I wish our high streets could remain out of the hands from big corporations and instead be lined with small independent local businesses. Practically every high street I have ever visited looks disgusting, full of the to let signs like you say and abandoned shops with only the big corporations remaining.
Thumbs up Ed, thumbs up.
Thanks. 👍👍
i will visit again
Ayr is definitely worth a visit. You can't beat a trip to the seaside.
Sad to see the decline in a lot of the towns in Scotland part been introduction of supermarkets and more recently on line shopping and internet another enjoyable and we'll presented video Ed thanks
Thanks Robert. I neglected to mention supermarkets, but you're absolutely right. Much of the blame for the decline in our High Streets must lie with supermarkets.
Great video Ed, You should have a look at the App called Ayr Through The Ages which takes you on a walking tour through the town of Ayr. It might be a good follow up video for you sometime as it shows you a lot of old points of interest. Atb Glenn
Many thanks. I'll check it out.
fascinating
Enjoyed your photographic history lesson of a town I was familiar with for a short year or so, 85/86. The internet is quickly making large retail buildings in prime town centre locations obsolete, hopefully to be replaced with more community centred architecture, including housing.
Yes, I neglected to mention the internet. Online shopping has to take some of the blame for the destruction of our High Streets. Covid has only made things worse.
@@EdExploresScotland I believe the internet is partly a good thing. It's suitable for shopping for products solely on price, I hope that shopping for unique, special, choice items will increase on the High Street.
I beg to differ, Neil. In addition to taking trade away from our High Streets, internet shopping is clogging up our byways with unnecessary delivery vans.
@@EdExploresScotland us oldies at work were recently discussing the delivery services we had in our towns and villages as kids in the 1970s. To our street, we had a baker's van, butchers van, lemonade van, milkman (of course), and the ash wagon. Different to the Amazon deliveries your refer to.
And a fish van too.
Just watched your video with my 98 year old mother-in-law started working in Ayr when she was about 15. Only wee criticism, re production, music could do with bring taken down a notch to balance better with the voice level.
Cheers Robert.
3.17 Ayr station was on fire about a week or two weeks ago ?. Ayr station has been closed till they can do a structural exam to decide if it should be repaired? or needs to be demolished?. To bad I will be arriving in Scotland on the 19 October and won’t be able to go to the station by train as I usually would do on my travels, have to get off at Prestwick Town and a shuttle bus? Into Ayr?. 💂♂️🪖🏴🇨🇦
Looking for my aunt Uncle who moved there there names are Ann Dalyrmple or Ian dalyrmple on My mom side love Scotland awesome videos 👍🙏 if anyone knows them can leave a message on there for me thank you
I have ancestry in Ayr, I'm hoping to visit next year.
Enjoy your visit. Ayr's a pretty stunning sort of place.
You forgot the barracks down at the old fort,my papà was a Sgt major n used to wake the soldiers up middle of night so they didn't pee bed
great video totally agree about m&s comments !
Thanks John.
I suppose like most towns the advancement of Shopping Retail Parks an online shopping has caused many independent traders to lose out and to have to throw in the towel. It's not a new problem. I was born in Ayr 70 years ago and my father had an electrical business and retail shop. In the 80s, what had been a very lucrative market, the independent traders were eclipsed by stores such as BHS, Littewoods and M&S. He eventually closed down after over 30 years of trading as he couldn't keep up with these giants. Time moves on but what it also does is destroy a community. I well remember being dragged round the shops when I was 6 or 7 and sitting in Lipton's the grocer waiting for the man to 'pat out' the required amount of butter my mother had asked for and meanwhile having a conversation about the latest news (and gossip) from round the town centre. It has all gone. And the most horrific thing is they don't know what to do with the empty buildings, or they are owned by a private concern who have no intention of selling or letting the council restructure. I still am proud to be Ayr born and bred but I am also ashamed of what has become of beautiful seaside town where people used to flock to spend their holidays.
Cheers Nick. I remember portions of butter getting patted as well.
Most enjoyable. I think town planners and the like have a lot to answer for......
Absolutely.
Watching this is just so sad, horrible to see what the Council have allowed to happen in Ayr
Watching this now and shocking that teenagers have set fire to the station hotel in the last few weeks. Zero respect for history.
Hahaha, come back now Ed, and that backdrop will certainly be somewhat different.?
Absolutely.
Very interesting but one minute point - Sandgate 'Street' is tautology. 'gate' or 'gait' is a street. Think of Tam o Shanter - "... when folk begin tae tak the gait ..."
Thanks James. You're absolutely right.
It's most probably backhanders to the council from the developers to put up horrible looking buildings.
The town councillors & planning got away with it & continue to get away with it because of the old boys club & they cross their hands with silver. Very simple
🙏❤️🌎🏴
Specials had foresight into Pair auld Ayr! 😢 "ghost town!" My great papa was Ayrshire Yeomanry blacksmith! Brough sown from Barr village n gifted land now part of dalmilling gold course! My mum/aunts worked greys factory! Mitchell's slaughterhouse n my mum was last clippie in Scotland ma papa was a Mason out o batchelors club n worked years for stag fireplaces "main street" visit him x to templetons upstairs cafe n roon tae bus stop watch King Street go up "my uncle Allan was an apprentice on it!" Ayrs part of me n mine n aye will be! 🙏🏴🙏 oh? My nana etc worked tomato lane during ww2 as be4 bypass the 2 lanes joined I learned to swim at stepping stones 😂
so many lovely auld buildings, marks and spencer lol ugly brick square
Couldn't agree more,ugly thatcherite,profit driven time as everything was being privatised at the expense of much value to the average man or woman.