ORGANISATIONS helping to improve Cumnock were praised by a delegation of visitors to the town.

Among those mentioned was the team of volunteers behind Cumnock Action Plan as well as the business association which shares information and skills between employers.

Jeane Freeman visited as part of the connector programme, run by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, which encouraged MSPs to visit their constituency towns during the Parliamentary summer recess.

Ms Freeman joined Phil Prentice of the partnership, Sharon Hodgson of East Ayrshire Council and town centre manager Fiona Nicolson to view the ongoing work which is revitalising the main shopping area.

They also visited the council’s main office for the area, Rothesay House, and toured the town centre itself.

Mr Prentice said: “Cumnock is a great example of the local council and community working together to deliver real improvement.

“The new town centre retail parade is modern and colourful and trading well, the redevelopment of the precinct is advancing and the future is looking up.”

His thoughts were echoed by Ms Freeman, who added: “Cumnock has so much to offer, the Action Plan team are helping make the town more look more attractive, the new centre, the business association in the town, Dumfries House and the Kier Hardie tourism links, it was great to learn that Scotland’s Towns Partnership will be bringing new resources to the Cumnock community.

“The Cumnock Community Action Plan is welcomed as it gives local people a say, and also the work of the local business association is bringing new and innovative ideas and events to the town.

“The level of investment in projects such as the refurbishment of Cumnock Town Hall, building of Rothesay House and the restoration projects in The Square have made the town a much more attractive place but there is always more that can be done to bring vacant or abandoned building back in to use.

“I am also impressed at the level of community engagement there has been with the local action group and community council with the drive and determination to make these plans a reality by the community.”