WHEN the team at Motherland Spice decided to revamp the toilets in their busy Saltcoats restaurant, they ended up deciding to transform the entire place, making it almost twice its size.

And part of their £250,000 makeover is a unique Covid-safe air conditioning unit that allows fresh air to be pumped in, allowing clean air into the restaurant at all times.

Owner Mahdev believes it is the first in Scotland and was adamant that he wanted his customers to feel safe.

“We have a brand new, first in Scotland air conditioning unit and fresh air unit,” explained Mahdev.

“I want everyone to feel safe and this system allows fresh air in the building every few minutes.”

He admits that when he started looking at the toilet to be painted, he thought why not just make the busy restaurant bigger.

“It all started off as a small project but then we thought, okay, let’s extend the restaurant,” said Mahdev.

“We can’t extend out the way so we have extended along to the back, we now have a new function suite and kitchen and we are so happy to be able to offer space for even more customers to come and enjoy our food.”

During lockdown and since March when the revamp began, the chefs have been busy using the kitchen at Adelaide College, across the road.

“It means that we could still offer a takeaway service for people,” said Mahdev.

“We have so many loyal customers and we wanted to be able to offer them a service during lockdown, everyone has been so supportive and we cannot wait to welcome them in person at the new look Motherland Spice.”

And Mahdev is confident the work will be finished for Monday, saying: “We are on track.”