RESIDENTS and shoppers are noticing a significant change in the Cumnock landscape as the Glaisnock Centre is brought to the ground.

Demolition work is progressing well – and rapidly – with a section of the car park turned into the nerve centre of the operation and equipment and debris where shoppers once arrived to visit the stores.

The centre has been closed to the public for almost three months, with Farmfoods the last unit to close when it temporarily moved out on September 3 in preparation for a new 10,000sq ft store opening next autumn.

It will be an integral part of the revamped Glaisnock Centre, complete with extra parking space and seven new shopping units, following years of negotiations and planning.

One regular customer spoke to the Chronicle when we visited the site last week, and said she hoped that the new mall will revitalise the town centre.

Elaine Clark, who stays in the town, said: “A lot of people, especially those with cars, go to Ayr and Kilmarnock for their shopping. Some of my neighbours even go to Glasgow, places like Silverburn and Braehead, so hopefully some of them will stay at home. The money they save on petrol or bus and train fares will be worth it and they can support local businesses.”

As well as the new Farmfoods, which will be double the size of the one it is replacing, there will be an additional 6,000sq ft unit and parking for an extra 60 cars.

Feedback has been mainly positive at a series of events involving residents and existing shops in the town, as well as other businesses interested in leasing a unit.

Alistair Kay of Farmfoods said: “We now operate more than 330 stores across the UK but have served the people of Cumnock and the surrounding areas for well over 20 years from our small store in the Glaisnock Centre.

“Working closely with East Ayrshire Council, we are delighted to be redeveloping the existing shopping centre site to create an attractive and modern town centre destination for local people to enjoy.

“We take pride in offering a simple and friendly place to do your family shop and are looking forward to opening a brand new Farmfoods for Cumnock in 2017.”