Wish I seen this warning before restarting my earphones, checking to see if the sound was playing elsewhere in the house, restarting my phone, the works 😅😂
South Ayrshire council are 100% to blame, I know people with connections to the council over the last 40 years and they tell me if it wasn’t for SAC Ayr would be Scotlands 5th major city by now, SAC have blocked application after application for business and housing developments in the town because they want to develop Ayr into a retirement town for the over 70’s, look at the recent massive housing development at corton and south east Ayr, it would have brought up to 8,000 new people to the town with new business and development but Sac blocked it at every opportunity they could because it doesn’t fit with there sleepy retirement town for the over 70’s plan, they are an utter joke and are selling this town and the young people who live in it down the river while all good investment goes to places like Kilmarnock and Irvine.. they are to blame for this once great towns demise ! Worst council in the uk.
I live in Ayr, my mum had moved here from Renfrew in the 80’s and she told me how impressed everyone was, how it was seen as a great place to live and have kids. I can never understand how a town with so much going for it (the races, the golf, the history, beach etc) has become so neglected. I should also say, there are plenty of people try to do good things, it’s SAC who seem to have let the place down.
We're from Renfrew and came to Ayr all the time, now sadly since the 90s we wouldn't even dare go there. I went with someone from near Ayr, so regularly met in ayr only a few years ago and the place was.like a shadow of itself
Scotland and England have been going downhill for a while .. i Wonder what caused it... and if you know I wouldnt mention it for fear of being cancelled.
I am a Blue Badge tourist guide, and the last time I took a group to Ayr one of my guests asked, after an hour or so wandering around the ghost-like town centre, "Why are we here!? I had no answer, other than "It's on the itinerary".
I live in ayr, though ankso for articulating how we it's occupants feel. You deserve thousands of views and likes. I had thought of writing a script for a documentary like this , I'm glad you gave us a visual remembrance for history. It's shocking how badly the council have failed.
Sadly much of the decline we’ve witnessed in Ayr is part of the nationwide “Death of the High Street”, caused by the public flocking to online retailers like Amazon and big retail parks like Silverburn. I remember when Heathfield retail park on the outskirts of Ayr was partially abandoned with boarded windows, and now it is busy all the time with every unit occupied. Meanwhile many businesses in the High Street have failed, resulting in what you see now. The council’s apparent apathy doesn’t help matters and what they did when they pushed traders out the Arran Mall was absolutely appalling. Ayr needs an intervention to stop the decline and a recognition of the changing times from the powers that be. It also needs the local people to support local businesses rather than sitting at home complaining about how bad things are. The old “use it or lose it” saying comes to mind. Hopefully in the near future Ayr will be a town we can be proud of again.
This is a Nationwide problem. The UK is in a downward spiral of poverty and decay. People find it easier not to support local shops on the High Street, but order everything online and then return whatever they don't want.
Nothing wrong with my town, I think it depends on who's running your council, obviously the people running Ayr are incompetent, I've always liked visiting Ayr
@@user-mjg1067It’s bad but not as bad as the video makes out . Video is obsessed with the Station Hotel . Yep ,everybody criticises,but, they all use Amazon and out of town retail parks.
@@jamesmason8944the SNP pretty much guaranteed that not many English tourists would visit Scotland-why would an English person spend their holidays and much needed cash in a country where the leaders HATE THEIR GUTS .
1980s Ayr still had a fine array of family owned shops and was a pleasant place for an outing. I live closer than ever to Ayr yet avoid the centre as much as I can . Sad times.
For people who haven't been, I can't emphasise enough how central all this is. It's all the biggest buildings right in the middle of town. Ayr does have a newer shopping centre by the way, Ayr Central. Opened in 2006, 75% abandoned already.
Ayr Central was part of the demise of Ayr High st. If it hadn't existed footfall would have kept the shopping hub farther down the street and saved the loss of shops.
I find this devastatingly sad. As a wee child I was taken by my parents and siblings on holiday there and stayed in the Station Hotel. Enjoying Butlins, as an added bonus. What these elite few have done to the world. Ruled by satanic forces. Thank you for this really sad and devastating video.👍🤦♀️
That's seaside towns problems people like you, as a kid I would spend my childhood on the beaches, complain about the decline and how sad you feel but the last time you visited, you were a child 50 years ago, lets all keep or seaside town ready at or expense just incase you might decide to bite the bullet visit us, and spend half a day with us , that's only if you have the time because you may have no more holidays left as you've been to benidorm 3 times this year.
Butlins in Ayr a worked there in fun fair in 1990 . I still wonder how big Wullie who worked on the roller coaster as to his wahereabouts if still with us today . Wullie was from Rutherglen i recall .
I’m appalled, I remember Ayr being a thriving town full of life. As an old soldier we did many exercises around the area , and a few bevi’s in the big hotel. Really sad!
There's never been any 'Brexit', (i.e., the re-establishing of British national sovereignty), Ewing and there never will be either. The central bankers, the real rulers of our country, will never allow it. What's taking place worldwide is the 'Great Reset' where the infrastructure of our Western nations is being deliberately destroyed, this then leads to what these maniacs refer to as their 'Fourth Industrial Revolution'. As White folk we also have to contend with the racist, anti-White agenda know as the 'Kalergi Plan', which you can see being promoted in every television program, advert and Hollywood movie. If you want to know how these central bankers accumulated such power in Britain and worldwide too, watch 'Jack Otto - Forbidden Knowledge' and you'll learn the truth.
Just to balance things out a bit in favour of Ayr. The town has a GREAT music scene with lots of gigs, open mic nights, jam sessions, table sessions, folk club, buskers and LOTS of really talented musicians. There's always good music to be had, of all styles. I was there yesterday and played at a jam session in Drouthy Neebours, then saw a fella playing a great pub gig in the early evening in the Ghillie Dhu, before watching a full band doing a really enjoyable gig in The Twa Dugs just across the road where everybody was dancing and singing and enjoying themselves. Great day. Venue 38 just had Hue and Cry play recently, as well as two guys from The Bluetones doing an acoustic set, not long after a punk night with 4 bands, and Karen Dunbar did stand up there too. There's usually something going on on any night of the week. Great music scene!🤠🤟🎸🎵🍻
@@ThunderboltWisdom Gimmie a list please of all the places doing jam sessions as I'm interested in joining in. Actually......how do "you" fancy a jam session? I'm up for it if you are.
@@leepshin Come to The Twa Dugs on a Tuesday afternoon or Thursday evening for a jam session, which also happens on some Saturday afternoons too but not every week. There's also an open mic on Sundays at 7.30 which is advertised as a blues night but you can play what you want. Hope to see you there one time.🤠🎸🎶🍺🤟
I was brought up in No1 Sandgate and it was a great place to live. Watching this excellent video has really saddened me. Ayr is just a big housing scheme now. £20 million is a start but the reality is £200 million still wouldn’t get the place back to where it was. Shops, retail and commercial outlets should be centred in one area. Brown-field sites used for housing along with leisure and recreational facilities. The days of Ayr being seen as a shopping Mecca are long gone. Online shopping and out of town retail parks have seen to that. Maybe Focus on creating activities, sports and hobbies centres. Make more use of the beach area, it’s an asset that should be used.
I’m so sorry to see this. I’m from Northern Ireland but originally from Caithness and we used to go across the water every year to visit relatives when we were young. Ayr was one of our ‘watering places’ after getting off ‘the boat’, I can remember a particular tea shop where the waitresses were in black uniforms with white aprons and hats where we would call into for a lovely cup of tea with sandwiches and cake. It’s just heartbreaking to watch this 😢 Lots of love to Ayr ❤
As a guy who came from Girvan and would visit Ayr all the time, this truly saddens me. Me and my mate used to go to that Odeon all the time. I hope things get back on track.
Absolutely gutted watching this, as Ayr has so many amazing memories for me. We lived in MaryHill as my Dad was serving in the HLI, moving down to Ayr when the Royal Scots and the HLI amalgamated to form the Royal Highland Fusiliers being stationed at Churchill Barracks. My two Sisters and I attended the old Grammer School. I can also remember the Ayr Rifle Club going in and watching my Dad and Mum shooting, I still have my Dad’s Ayr Rifle Club Blazer sew on badge. In July my 2023 one of my Sons and two of my grandchildren visited Ayr it brought back many fond memories and heartache. I hope to return 2024 God willing. I now live in Northern Ireland. Many thanks for sharing your video 🍻
You never said about the sea side front the missing show's, miniature trains, paddle boats and the rest. I was shocked to see Ayr and what had happened to the town when I took my grandkids there for a week just after COVID. It's only going to get worse with how expensive things are today fewer and fewer people can afford a day out opting to spend our free time at the cost of our national treasures .
I am so heartbroken to see what has happened to one of my favorite seaside towns. I have a trip planned for Spring next year and was going to stay in Ayr as a walk down memory lane since losing my husband. I am truly sad to see what has happened 😔
I’m totally shocked as I know what Ayr was like when it was still a seaside town/summer resort. It was starting to look a bit tired in the mid 90s but I didn’t realise that everything had shut down & been left to literally disappear or decay. What has been going on & why haven’t we heard anything about this & I stay in Scotland. I know lots of small towns are struggling with the local shops closing pubs closing as it’s been priced out of people’s life’s by the cost of living but this has been going on for years it seems. 😔. Very sad.
I visited Ayr a number of times in the '90's and thought it was a lovely town. So sorry to see it's decline. Hopefully it's decline has bottomed out and that it starts improving for the local inhabitants.
As someone from Kilmarnock (and we have our own problems) Ayr deserves so much better. Growing up in the 2000’s I would always travel down to Ayr on weekends, the Games Workshop in the Arran Mall was like a second home where I made close many, many friends. It’s hard to see all those areas that were once absolutely bustling with life brought so low. Hopefully one day it can rise again from the ashes and be a proper destination again.
Washington state West coast U.S.A.here. Wow, how sad. When I was in Ayr just a few short years ago, visiting family, it sure didn't look like this. This sort of thing is happening all over the world😔
We have family in Pennsylvania. My wife’s aunt was born here and moved to the States over 50 years ago. Its been a few years since they last visited. A lot has changed even since then. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
This guy needs to do a proper vid on Ayr. No mention of the MECCA BINGO closing down, nor the main stores that have closed down in the town centre. Woolworths BHS Debenhams Watt Bross Wilkinson’s etc, etc, plus Hourstons, a massive retail store that closed down and has been burning to the ground this week 12 / 13th December. I moved to Ayr 12 years ago, in that short time it has transformed into a near ghost town. Absolutely scandalous show by the toytown councillors 😠
The system of Local Government in Scotland and Britain ignores completely local people. Throughout history all towns prospered by and were governed by wealthy LOCAL business people. They don't exist any more, they all live somewhere else. Those wealthy locals aren't really local anymore. False and rigged consultations give local councils carte blanche do do what they like. All political parties are to blame but the bottom line is, the industries that made Ayr great are gone and until Ayr has something big and unique to offer it will sink back to pre industrial revolution decline levels.
I can remember being on call in Glasgow at the ambulance control center the night the hotel fire started. When I got the call from the fire service requesting our attendance I knew that it was gone with the sheer amount of crews the sent..
I stayed in Ayr for a years ,I think it start to go down hill when Butlins closed I know a lot of people in Ayr hated Butlins but it brought people in and they came into the town Now we have haven they all stay on park Wound love to see Ayr turn back into a great town
Sounds exactly like what happened to my hometown Margate, once a bustling coastal resort with so many attractions that are now boarded up a ghost town of its former self.
All these town like , Clacton , Filey Ayr and several others decline started when the Butlins holiday camps closed , they brought thousands of visitors to these town on a weekly basis with the towns benefiting greatly .
Excellent video. The school and the House are particularly beautiful buildings. So sad to see such a once incredible town to fall into such decay. Thank you for highlighting this decline, hopefully some places can still bring life and job to Ayr.
we came to Ayr about 5 years ago for a week and loved the place, it is so sad to see it now. hopefully it will come back to how it was, We look forward to coming back soon.
coming from just down the road from Ayr and having spent so much of the past 4 decades in and around Ayr it depresses me to see what has become of the Toon, online shopping/entertainment and the likes has done so much damage to places like Ayr.....its sad but hopefully with the fresh investment it can still be a place to spend a day out in.
We loved travelling down to Ayr from our home town of Greenock. Ayr was one of the nicest towns in Scotland and a great day out, shopping, having good food and the odd trip to the cinema. The last time we were down it was very sad to see such a decline. I hope the good people of Ayr get some improvements and soon.
My mum and dad had a beautiful static caravan at heads of Ayr caravan park with unobstructed views over to Arran, it was a majestic place and so relaxing and a short drive you were in the bustling Ayr town centre, it is a real shame that Ayr has become so desolate but not just Ayr nearly every town and seaside town in the UK has the same problems and this has all happened in the space of 20/25yrs. I never thought cheap holidays abroad would cause this much of a decline.
I worked at the County Hotel Wellington Square 1976 for a year .Ayr was a bursting vibrant little place,I had my first paid for meal at the Station Hotel The Island of Dr Moreau at the Odeon and have taken both my daughters there when they were kids. This piece breaks my heart I hope Ayr can be brought back to its heyday and wish all people of Ayr good luck for the future.
Shocking to say the least!i left Scotland in 2002 to live in mainland Spain far away from the idiots on the coast lol.was brought up in ayr belmont then kincaidston..went to castlehill primary school!this video is to say the least very sad to see what has become of ayr😔
My wife and I jumped on the bus from Glasgow to Ayr about 6 months ago and were stunned with the deterioration of the town. It had been a few years since we had been in Ayr we did our usual in for Chinese meal a walk through the town and into electric bakers for scones and cakes to take up the road. Have just read electric bakers closed about 2 weeks ago so sad I don’t know which party is in charge of council but they should be hounded out office
As an Ayrshire boy born and bred, although not from the town of Ayr, I spent my childhood in the town every weekend almost. There was a vibrant buzz about the high street, great shops and cafes, great nightlife and a well kept environment for locals and holidaymakers. It is now a former shadow of itself. This video portrays everything that is wrong with the majority of town centres around the UK. From an Ayr and Ayrshire perspective, many towns are very dilapidated and the region has major social and economic problems. It’s catastrophic to see the demise of a once thriving and busy part of Scotland. Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston, Kilmarnock, Irvine, Ayr and Girvan. It’s heartbreaking to see how life has went backwards. The internet has certainly played its part, but so many other factors have contributed to the demise of the high street and leisure sector from around 2008 onwards. Much of the industry that employed people in Ayrshire has long gone. Retail in towns gone, government funding and council budgets slashed, crime rates and public disorder increased. It’s all linked and has rapidly got worse. The station hotel fire caused by mindless idiots was the final stake in Ayr’s heart this year. Very sad. On a more positive note, there has been more independent cafes, restaurants and shops popping up in the town. All proving to be a success. Footfall is slowly coming back to the town as a result. Large events like the Pavilion festival and the Air Show is pulling people back into the town. Private and government Investment is creeping back in and hopefully South Ayrshire Council will spend the money sensibly and clean up this great town. Ayr is a great town and I am hopeful to see it grow again 💙 #letsmakeayrgreatagain
That is so sad to see ! I worked at Butlins Ayr in 1996 and used to love going into Ayr. I cant help but think, Butlins closing and the Ayr losing those jobs and tens of thousands of Tourists that used to turn up every year, helped turn Ayr into that mess. I know Butlins was turned into a Caravan Park, but is in no way comparable to numbers of tourists Butlins used to bring to the area.
I totally agree...4 holidays from a baby to a late teenager is all I missed, because mum wanted to go elsewhere....that's also where my wee brother was conceived.....Stewart Ballroom and the club underneath with the river had a lot to answer for back in the 70s.....😂😂😂😂
So sad… My family are all from Ayr. My mum and family. I not been since 1998 and have fond memories of Ayr bus station and beach, the railway station and hotel. I suspect most my family went to Babylon and got on the bus. I hope Ayr recovers with the grant.
Really sad. Was in Ayr a few days ago and couldn't believe how bad its become. Its heartbreaking. Im originally from Stranraer and we used to come up in the train to do our Xmas shopping and it was like a mini city. Huge shops and you couldn't move.
This is so sad to see. Ayr used to be a lovely place to go for a day out and, back in the 1960s and '70s, I don't think anyone could ever have imagined this devastation. Sorry to see this update on the town's tragic state.
Remember the times when those high street pavements were packed with Christmas shoppers, you could hardly pass each other, for throngs of people carrying bulging bags filled with Christmas presents.
@@jmcc2275 yes, our lives were a bit different fifty years ago. My sister used to be an agent for the Marshall Ward catalogue, used to love looking thru the new catalogues when they came out. How did we survive without the Internet, mobile phones and Sat Nav.? One lesson to be learned in life nothing stands still everything changes.
From before craig Tara right through ayr town centre ,through prestwick ,and onto the bypass the road is the worst condition of any road I've encountered in the whole of scotland.
A fantastic and compelling video that highlights the decline and it seems disrespect and ignorance of a once vibrant town . It’s as if nothing matters anymore it’s so sad !
I grew up in Ayr. It’s sad to see this level of decay, and break my heart every time I’m home. These places were busteling in the 80’s and 90’s. We had some great times in that toon! Thank you for the videos mate!
wow, when I stayed with family in Glasgow as a young boy an aunt used to say she’d take us to the beach in ayr. never went because of her work commitments. looks like I missed its better days.
Many high streets exist globally despite the internet because the local councils do what they need to to keep people coming. While the internet wouldn't have helped... This kind of rapid decline doesn't occur unless a council fails to do their job.
with online shopping a lot of towns have become ghost towns most towns consist of a pub .bookies and pound shop if ure lucky some good takeaways and a carwash
Online shopping cannot be blamed for the decline as an example Japan one of the most hi-tech countries in the world the streets of Tokyo are bustling with people. Halloween, Christmas, Japanese cultural events are mobbed, food stalls are busy as are the stores and restaurants, even those in secluded side streets. All you have to do is type in street walks in Japan on TH-cam and you'll immediately see the difference. There is something else to blame 🤔
Its not just Ayr. The whole of the Ayrshire coast is in decline. Saltcoats, Ardrossan, Stevenston, Troon, Irvine (to an extent) and many others are falling into a state of dereliction. Sad to see.
Ayr started to go down over 10yrs ago. I used to live there and I dated a girl who lived in Ayr. For 3 years I visited Ayr on a weekly basis. The Arran Mall wasn't busy back then, however, the Highstreet was occasionally. The problem in Ayr were the Neds, there was already back then a ton of them, and for me what was the final nail in the coffin, the mass brawl at Ayr beach. To be honest, probably good that there is no trainstation in Ayr anymore, because the Neds from Glasgow vs. the Neds from South Ayrshire is sight to be behold. Also, it seems to be the reoccurring theme in Ayr. Some old listed building gets purchased; then stands for years empty and all of the sudden it lights up like a Christmas tree where someone forgot to put the candles out. This all smells like insurance fraud. You buy some building, insure it for a lot, apply for planning permissions aso. also you are looking for investors, time passes and suddenly a little fire destroys the listed building, so now you can take it down and build your own monstrosity.
I can’t believe what I’m seeing! Ayr is like my second home (from Renfrew but I lived in Ayr for almost a year for uni). I was only in Ayr back in July there for a day, didn’t even know about the odeon closing down. I’m so devastated. I absolutely love Ayr, will always have a special meaning to me. It’s so upsetting to see the town falling to pieces.
“The same old thing” by a council/ business council etc. is a nearly flawless way to devastate a local economy. We’ve had a similar problem in a nearby former regional centre from 1970 to present.
How did this happen? What went wrong? Such a pretty and vibrant town to just collapse like that. I'm an Australian, the son of a Scotsman who came to Australia as a lad with his family. My sister and I have made a pilgrimage to see dad's birthplace in Dundee. We absolutely love Scotland. It really rips our hearts to shreds to see the demise of Ayr. Surely the town can pull together now with the proposed funding on offer, and the diehard Scot spirit to overcome overwhelming obstacles. C'mon Ayr, you can do it! . .
Haven't been to Ayr since I was down at KustomPCs in 2005/2006 - certainly didn't look bad back then, from what I remember it. Irvine and Saltcoats on the other hand have both followed a similar path.
As someone who lived in Ayr for most of their life, the most upsetting part of the downfall is truly the little shops. The Arran mall had the cutest and cosiest French Cafe just off to the right as you entered. Or next to Arran mall, there was a Game centre, that had everything you could ever want for a game shop. It really is so depressing knowing the shops and people from my youth just are gone due to the mistreatment by SAC (South Ayrshire council.). Like the new build, the Cutty-Sark, can’t be used by anyone but the council. I’ve known people who would have used it fully and effectively, but the council said no.
@@TheRealPeter3387 Both are let out specifically for council related activities. The Sark more so, that specifically is ONLY for council “approved” activities. Aka, sweet bugger all. The grain exchange is let out to mostly council services (Youth development, heath and wellbeing, etc) but mostly is a tiny market for indie sellers to sell goods. Sometimes there’s specific themes like music, or arts and crafts. So between the two, the Grain exchange is used more and for a “better” reason. Whilst the Sark is just a fancier place to hold town festivals like tam-fest. Even then, you’d think they’d rent it out to charities, or private groups for events, but as far as I’m aware, there’s like so many hoops to jump through, that even if you’re part of a south Ayrshire council branch, you have even less of a chance.
Very sad indeed, I'm from Northern Ireland and when i was young my mother used to take me for a wee break to Ayr every summer which i loved as it was a busy and vibrant town, can't believe how it looks now.
That is a pretty sad sight. Watching this from NYC I have fond memories of my mother taking me to Ayr, to Houstons and I remember going to the Odeon with my x-girlfriend. What Scotland needs is jobs. Inward investent from US companies or worldwide companies where tax breaks can be given. But there is no chance of that. Now everybody ordering from amazon and watching netflix so no need for cinemas or shops. No campaigns to support local businesses. It is so sad that if you cleaned shop and put a bunch of competent people in place they would not even know where to start. There is so much to be done. Thanks for making this video. What a sad situation. A place that in the early 90's was bustling. I remember working at Fairfield House Hotel as a barman, there were very rich people from the US staying there playing golf. I could not imagine them coming there now.
I moved away from Ayr 20 years ago, and I'm really shocked at how run down it now looks. Used to skateboard in the council buildings next to the Odeon... Didn't realise they had been pulled down
This was a hard watch. I remember visiting Ayr regularly when my sons were wee in the 2000’s. My mother had a caravan in Dundonald. I remember Clark’s closing and looks like the decline has continued. This is really sad. The shopping and restaurants were great. What a shock watching this!😢
Visited Ayr hundreds of times and horrible to see it in the state it is in today. How did it get to this point? Is there a plan for the future? I remember the photo in Ayr station of the platform in a summer many years ago, packed full of people. I sincerely hope one day it can get back to what it once was.
I spent a weekend in Ayr last year, and I was shocked by how run down the place is. But alas, it's the same as other places, main streets, are full of eating places, pound shops, vape shops and bookies, with shutters covered in graffiti.
A very well put together video that only really scratches the surface. There is the massive eyesore of Falkland Yard, the old chemical works, the railway depot. Ayr put all its money into stopping cars into the town. Built a ring road/bypass and put all the new shops, car show rooms and cheap hotels outside the town. Who wants to go to Ayr? Ayr has no purpose anymore. The harbour is a working harbour and West of The New Brig, is dull at best. There's no fishing boats, you cannae get down the the end of the pier. The once beautiful view from the Citadel swimming pool has been blocked by yuppy like apartments of averageness. The Citadel is tired, out on a limb. The whole town has suffered from disconnect over many years. The things that made Ayr unique have been destroyed. There is little to go to Ayr to see anymore it has joined the ranks of so many Ayrshire coast towns, Irvine, Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Girvan... just a good view from the beach on a rare sunny day or fro heads of Ayr or Dundonakd Hill on a starry night. Against all odds, Troon and Prestwick sort of still keep their heads up, though Prestwick Airport is constantly in doubt, which may eventually bring the curtain down on everything. Ayr is so bad it doesn't even attract illegal immigrants, so there are some positives at least!
We were forced to go to Ayr as a school trip. The best part was Rabbie Burns cottage, but there was nothing to do for school kids we all just sat on the grass and ate our packed lunches 😂 6:39 I remember this shopping centre. Wow, but Glasgow city centre is the same, iconic Watt Bros have moved out, the city centre is completely dead same as Ayr
would love to get inside some of those abandoned shops and school to have a look around , also need a holiday camp there again with loads of facilities and a few arcades on the shore front .
I was in Ayr last week. At least your town still has plenty of historic architecture , unlike Johnstone Paisley etc , all destroyed by incompetent councillors .
Do not worry, the sturgeon and the great snp will rebuild every run down area in Scotland, give everybody a job and personally hand out cardboard boxes to the babies, after they have blamed Westminster.
Sad sad video, I remember Ayr back in the day, always enjoyed it, did a lot of socialising 45 yrs ago lol, work wise I was a coach driver and often did day trips to Ayr, the old dears loved it, hopefully with UK money they might bring some life back.
Remember bouncing off The Station Hotels front door in 1979, sore one. Went to visit a stewardess pal who was overnighting in the town. Went in to ask directions. The Plate Glass was so clean I did,nt see it. The girls on reception cracked up,so did my brother who was with me.
I remember Ayr was a great place to get stuff I remember the Ayr forum Ayr was the best place to get all the latest toys at Christmas of years gone by even during the recession of the 90's, the same as Saltcoats the lack of funding to do things result is things being abandoned work was supposed to have continued right up to renovating Dockhead Street.
That’s tragic. I haven’t been in Ayr for a long time. It’s so sad to see. Saltcoats is in the same state, and, Largs is in decline as well. Irvine is thriving at the harbour side of the shopping centre, but, the High Street is a disgrace. When I think of the Ayrshire that I grew up in, and, compare it to now, they’re worlds apart.
So sad to see what has come of Ayr, such fond memories with friends and family up to only a few years ago and didn't realize how bad it had gotten. Growing up was always shopping in Ayr or getting the messages in. Meeting friends at the Odeon (will never get the smell out at least) and hours of walking up and down, most days not being able to see more than a meter Infront of you for the sea of people. Station hotel sadly, should of been taken down years ago if only for the safety of transport, scaffolding and drapes to protect commuters by train, car and even walking by and having to cross the road to be safe with the pavement and a driving lane closed off at a busy one way system with traffic lights onto a double roundabout. Genuinely, fingers crossed that any money being sent in to revive the town is spent wisely and SAC is not involved unsupervised and logged, an upgrade and revamp might give the town the boost it needs. Just need to hope its not too late and the damage done by SAC has not continued or has condemned the town past repair.
This popped up in my feed and yeah, I recognise it all because I live just up the road in Irvine. Both South Ayrshire and North Ayrshire council's have progressively screwed up both towns for the past two and a half decades.
Never been to Ayr, but so sad to so yet another town in such a shocking state, especially sad for what probably was an extremely fine hotel in it's heyday having to be demolished, I hope the little louts that started the fires are proud of themselves, could do with some proper punishment, they wouldn't be doing it again! So many towns and some cities in England looking just as bad as Ayr, don't know what needs to happen to turn things around. Sky high shop rents and rates don't help for a start!
Sad to see this, I hope Ayr gets funding to restore the town. Btw, 'a sight for sore eyes' does not mean 'eyesore', it means the opposite, ie. a welcome sight, something good
I visited Ayr few years ago, it was truly a lovely place and I enjoyed walking around the buzzing town centre and along the river. It's sad to see how it is now...
Due to a copyright claim on the background music featured in this video. Some audio will now appear muted or slightly distorted. Apologies.
Wish I seen this warning before restarting my earphones, checking to see if the sound was playing elsewhere in the house, restarting my phone, the works 😅😂
South Ayrshire council are 100% to blame, I know people with connections to the council over the last 40 years and they tell me if it wasn’t for SAC Ayr would be Scotlands 5th major city by now, SAC have blocked application after application for business and housing developments in the town because they want to develop Ayr into a retirement town for the over 70’s, look at the recent massive housing development at corton and south east Ayr, it would have brought up to 8,000 new people to the town with new business and development but Sac blocked it at every opportunity they could because it doesn’t fit with there sleepy retirement town for the over 70’s plan, they are an utter joke and are selling this town and the young people who live in it down the river while all good investment goes to places like Kilmarnock and Irvine.. they are to blame for this once great towns demise ! Worst council in the uk.
SNP WERE NOT INTERESTED IN SCOTLAND THEIR STILL NOT INTERESTED IN SCOTLAND DONT BE FOOLED. BY THEIR PROPAGANDA-SHE DESTROYED EVERYTHING SHE TOUCHED.
Crooks the lot of them
@@B00tieW4rriORSouthAyrshireCouncil
Not of them could manage their pocket money far less a town.
SNP sickos
I live in Ayr, my mum had moved here from Renfrew in the 80’s and she told me how impressed everyone was, how it was seen as a great place to live and have kids. I can never understand how a town with so much going for it (the races, the golf, the history, beach etc) has become so neglected.
I should also say, there are plenty of people try to do good things, it’s SAC who seem to have let the place down.
We're from Renfrew and came to Ayr all the time, now sadly since the 90s we wouldn't even dare go there. I went with someone from near Ayr, so regularly met in ayr only a few years ago and the place was.like a shadow of itself
@@marcbrisbane6800 Yeah, it’s a real shame. There are still positives, but totally overshadowed by the negatives so no appeal anymore.
@@bettyfrank961 its like a lot of places to be fair, didnt know about the station though. Must have been a matter of time
Scotland and England have been going downhill for a while .. i Wonder what caused it... and if you know I wouldnt mention it for fear of being cancelled.
Death of the high street.
Thanks jeff.
I am a Blue Badge tourist guide, and the last time I took a group to Ayr one of my guests asked, after an hour or so wandering around the ghost-like town centre, "Why are we here!? I had no answer, other than "It's on the itinerary".
I live in ayr, though ankso for articulating how we it's occupants feel. You deserve thousands of views and likes. I had thought of writing a script for a documentary like this , I'm glad you gave us a visual remembrance for history. It's shocking how badly the council have failed.
Sadly much of the decline we’ve witnessed in Ayr is part of the nationwide “Death of the High Street”, caused by the public flocking to online retailers like Amazon and big retail parks like Silverburn. I remember when Heathfield retail park on the outskirts of Ayr was partially abandoned with boarded windows, and now it is busy all the time with every unit occupied. Meanwhile many businesses in the High Street have failed, resulting in what you see now. The council’s apparent apathy doesn’t help matters and what they did when they pushed traders out the Arran Mall was absolutely appalling. Ayr needs an intervention to stop the decline and a recognition of the changing times from the powers that be. It also needs the local people to support local businesses rather than sitting at home complaining about how bad things are. The old “use it or lose it” saying comes to mind. Hopefully in the near future Ayr will be a town we can be proud of again.
This is a Nationwide problem.
The UK is in a downward spiral of poverty and decay. People find it easier not to support local shops on the High Street, but order everything online and then return whatever they don't want.
Yes, it is indeed a worldwide problem. Take a look at all those abandoned areas in America, it is unbelievable.
UK, run by 3rd world origin people is being turned into the 3rd world.
Nothing wrong with my town, I think it depends on who's running your council, obviously the people running Ayr are incompetent, I've always liked visiting Ayr
@@user-mjg1067It’s bad but not as bad as the video makes out . Video is obsessed with the Station Hotel . Yep ,everybody criticises,but, they all use Amazon and out of town retail parks.
@@jamesmason8944the SNP pretty much guaranteed that not many English tourists would visit Scotland-why would an English person spend their holidays and much needed cash in a country where the leaders HATE THEIR GUTS .
1980s Ayr still had a fine array of family owned shops and was a pleasant place for an outing. I live closer than ever to Ayr yet avoid the centre as much as I can . Sad times.
Me too 😢
Amazon ,the shop’s called these days oh aye ,and Retail Park.
Family owned shops don’t fit with ‘you’ll own nothing and be happy’.
@@alexalston3001 I don't see people owning less . People buy stuff online and send the majority of it back !
Grew up in Ayr in the 80’s-90’s and loved it. Live overseas now and sad to see the cinema I’d always go to closed and so many other shops gone too😢
For people who haven't been, I can't emphasise enough how central all this is. It's all the biggest buildings right in the middle of town.
Ayr does have a newer shopping centre by the way, Ayr Central. Opened in 2006, 75% abandoned already.
Ayr Central was part of the demise of Ayr High st. If it hadn't existed footfall would have kept the shopping hub farther down the street and saved the loss of shops.
And it's opening forced the rates of all the existing shops on that street through the roof.
I find this devastatingly sad. As a wee child I was taken by my parents and siblings on holiday there and stayed in the Station Hotel. Enjoying Butlins, as an added bonus. What these elite few have done to the world. Ruled by satanic forces. Thank you for this really sad and devastating video.👍🤦♀️
You’ve got the right name there.
That's seaside towns problems people like you, as a kid I would spend my childhood on the beaches, complain about the decline and how sad you feel but the last time you visited, you were a child 50 years ago, lets all keep or seaside town ready at or expense just incase you might decide to bite the bullet visit us, and spend half a day with us , that's only if you have the time because you may have no more holidays left as you've been to benidorm 3 times this year.
The words "Elite" and "Satanic" suggest you're a bit crazy! Crazy with a tinfoil hat! 👍
Butlins in Ayr a worked there in fun fair in 1990 . I still wonder how big Wullie who worked on the roller coaster as to his wahereabouts if still with us today . Wullie was from Rutherglen i recall .
You vote Tory.
Spent a lot of time in Ayr 20 years ago, and was shocked this year on return, was equally shocked by Ayrshire in general
I’m appalled, I remember Ayr being a thriving town full of life. As an old soldier we did many exercises around the area , and a few bevi’s in the big hotel. Really sad!
You voted for this in 2014 Scotland 🇬🇧😂 better together
Brexit benefits 🤣😂
There's never been any 'Brexit', (i.e., the re-establishing of British national sovereignty), Ewing and there never will be either. The central bankers, the real rulers of our country, will never allow it. What's taking place worldwide is the 'Great Reset' where the infrastructure of our Western nations is being deliberately destroyed, this then leads to what these maniacs refer to as their 'Fourth Industrial Revolution'. As White folk we also have to contend with the racist, anti-White agenda know as the 'Kalergi Plan', which you can see being promoted in every television program, advert and Hollywood movie. If you want to know how these central bankers accumulated such power in Britain and worldwide too, watch 'Jack Otto - Forbidden Knowledge' and you'll learn the truth.
Enjoy Saturday? Xx
Tripe, the SNP are the culprits,? they have dominated politically for a very long time, their policies are responsible.
Just to balance things out a bit in favour of Ayr. The town has a GREAT music scene with lots of gigs, open mic nights, jam sessions, table sessions, folk club, buskers and LOTS of really talented musicians. There's always good music to be had, of all styles. I was there yesterday and played at a jam session in Drouthy Neebours, then saw a fella playing a great pub gig in the early evening in the Ghillie Dhu, before watching a full band doing a really enjoyable gig in The Twa Dugs just across the road where everybody was dancing and singing and enjoying themselves. Great day.
Venue 38 just had Hue and Cry play recently, as well as two guys from The Bluetones doing an acoustic set, not long after a punk night with 4 bands, and Karen Dunbar did stand up there too.
There's usually something going on on any night of the week.
Great music scene!🤠🤟🎸🎵🍻
It’s still a massive shit hole pal, I don’t think anyone will want to live there after this video…
@@ThunderboltWisdom Gimmie a list please of all the places doing jam sessions as I'm interested in joining in. Actually......how do "you" fancy a jam session? I'm up for it if you are.
@@leepshin Come to The Twa Dugs on a Tuesday afternoon or Thursday evening for a jam session, which also happens on some Saturday afternoons too but not every week.
There's also an open mic on Sundays at 7.30 which is advertised as a blues night but you can play what you want.
Hope to see you there one time.🤠🎸🎶🍺🤟
Back in the sixties and seventies Ayr was a great place for a family day out . I remember it well .
I was brought up in No1 Sandgate and it was a great place to live. Watching this excellent video has really saddened me. Ayr is just a big housing scheme now. £20 million is a start but the reality is £200 million still wouldn’t get the place back to where it was.
Shops, retail and commercial outlets should be centred in one area. Brown-field sites used for housing along with leisure and recreational facilities. The days of Ayr being seen as a shopping Mecca are long gone. Online shopping and out of town retail parks have seen to that. Maybe Focus on creating activities, sports and hobbies centres. Make more use of the beach area, it’s an asset that should be used.
I’m so sorry to see this. I’m from Northern Ireland but originally from Caithness and we used to go across the water every year to visit relatives when we were young. Ayr was one of our ‘watering places’ after getting off ‘the boat’, I can remember a particular tea shop where the waitresses were in black uniforms with white aprons and hats where we would call into for a lovely cup of tea with sandwiches and cake. It’s just heartbreaking to watch this 😢 Lots of love to Ayr ❤
As a guy who came from Girvan and would visit Ayr all the time, this truly saddens me. Me and my mate used to go to that Odeon all the time. I hope things get back on track.
Loved Girvan a lot of good times in the pathetic bar,the commercial the hammy ,the Kings and jesters.
I’m from a Girvan myself,Ayr was always a great day or night out sadly like Girvan and many other towns it’s went really downhill.
@@charleslouden6600Girvan is not the same town it was back in the day.
Great video but heartbreaking. Used to visit Ayr a lot as a wee boy. Similar story in too many places. Hope the upgrade happens.
Absolutely gutted watching this, as Ayr has so many amazing memories for me. We lived in MaryHill as my Dad was serving in the HLI, moving down to Ayr when the Royal Scots and the HLI amalgamated to form the Royal Highland Fusiliers being stationed at Churchill Barracks. My two Sisters and I attended the old Grammer School. I can also remember the Ayr Rifle Club going in and watching my Dad and Mum shooting, I still have my Dad’s Ayr Rifle Club Blazer sew on badge. In July my 2023 one of my Sons and two of my grandchildren visited Ayr it brought back many fond memories and heartache. I hope to return 2024 God willing. I now live in Northern Ireland. Many thanks for sharing your video 🍻
You never said about the sea side front the missing show's, miniature trains, paddle boats and the rest. I was shocked to see Ayr and what had happened to the town when I took my grandkids there for a week just after COVID. It's only going to get worse with how expensive things are today fewer and fewer people can afford a day out opting to spend our free time at the cost of our national treasures .
I am so heartbroken to see what has happened to one of my favorite seaside towns. I have a trip planned for Spring next year and was going to stay in Ayr as a walk down memory lane since losing my husband. I am truly sad to see what has happened 😔
I’m totally shocked as I know what Ayr was like when it was still a seaside town/summer resort. It was starting to look a bit tired in the mid 90s but I didn’t realise that everything had shut down & been left to literally disappear or decay. What has been going on & why haven’t we heard anything about this & I stay in Scotland. I know lots of small towns are struggling with the local shops closing pubs closing as it’s been priced out of people’s life’s by the cost of living but this has been going on for years it seems. 😔. Very sad.
I visited Ayr a number of times in the '90's and thought it was a lovely town. So sorry to see it's decline. Hopefully it's decline has bottomed out and that it starts improving for the local inhabitants.
As someone from Kilmarnock (and we have our own problems) Ayr deserves so much better. Growing up in the 2000’s I would always travel down to Ayr on weekends, the Games Workshop in the Arran Mall was like a second home where I made close many, many friends.
It’s hard to see all those areas that were once absolutely bustling with life brought so low. Hopefully one day it can rise again from the ashes and be a proper destination again.
Washington state West coast U.S.A.here. Wow, how sad. When I was in Ayr just a few short years ago, visiting family, it sure didn't look like this. This sort of thing is happening all over the world😔
We have family in Pennsylvania. My wife’s aunt was born here and moved to the States over 50 years ago. Its been a few years since they last visited. A lot has changed even since then. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
This guy needs to do a proper vid on Ayr. No mention of the MECCA BINGO closing down, nor the main stores that have closed down in the town centre. Woolworths BHS Debenhams Watt Bross Wilkinson’s etc, etc, plus Hourstons, a massive retail store that closed down and has been burning to the ground this week 12 / 13th December. I moved to Ayr 12 years ago, in that short time it has transformed into a near ghost town. Absolutely scandalous show by the toytown councillors 😠
At present there are reports that the abandoned Arran shopping Mall featured in this video is now on FIRE again!
Also the ice rink shut down! South Ayrshire council have certainly earned their place as the worst council in Scotland. Massive shame on them!
Seems to be about the only thing happening in Ayr recently!
The system of Local Government in Scotland and Britain ignores completely local people. Throughout history all towns prospered by and were governed by wealthy LOCAL business people. They don't exist any more, they all live somewhere else. Those wealthy locals aren't really local anymore.
False and rigged consultations give local councils carte blanche do do what they like.
All political parties are to blame but the bottom line is, the industries that made Ayr great are gone and until Ayr has something big and unique to offer it will sink back to pre industrial revolution decline levels.
I can remember being on call in Glasgow at the ambulance control center the night the hotel fire started.
When I got the call from the fire service requesting our attendance I knew that it was gone with the sheer amount of crews the sent..
See my previous comment
Real shame about the state of Ayr, many happy memories of days down at the beach and wandering the shops. The station Hotel situation is scandelous.
I stayed in Ayr for a years ,I think it start to go down hill when Butlins closed
I know a lot of people in Ayr hated Butlins but it brought people in and they came into the town
Now we have haven they all stay on park
Wound love to see Ayr turn back into a great town
Sounds exactly like what happened to my hometown Margate, once a bustling coastal resort with so many attractions that are now boarded up a ghost town of its former self.
But Margate is very diverse and vibrant nowadays.
All these town like , Clacton , Filey Ayr and several others decline started when the Butlins holiday camps closed , they brought thousands of visitors to these town on a weekly basis with the towns benefiting greatly .
Excellent video. The school and the House are particularly beautiful buildings. So sad to see such a once incredible town to fall into such decay. Thank you for highlighting this decline, hopefully some places can still bring life and job to Ayr.
we came to Ayr about 5 years ago for a week and loved the place, it is so sad to see it now. hopefully it will come back to how it was, We look forward to coming back soon.
coming from just down the road from Ayr and having spent so much of the past 4 decades in and around Ayr it depresses me to see what has become of the Toon, online shopping/entertainment and the likes has done so much damage to places like Ayr.....its sad but hopefully with the fresh investment it can still be a place to spend a day out in.
We loved travelling down to Ayr from our home town of Greenock. Ayr was one of the nicest towns in Scotland and a great day out, shopping, having good food and the odd trip to the cinema. The last time we were down it was very sad to see such a decline. I hope the good people of Ayr get some improvements and soon.
I’m in Greenock as well and couldn’t believe the state of Ayr. Actually makes Greenock town centre look decent tbh.
@@labos7250 I still think Ayr looks better than Greenock but that isn't saying much.
@@alancumming6407 the state Ayr is in actually shocked me. Maybe I’m just used to Greenock and it doesn’t take me by surprise.
@@labos7250 I agree with you. We see our town everyday so have become used to it. Sadly.
My mum and dad had a beautiful static caravan at heads of Ayr caravan park with unobstructed views over to Arran, it was a majestic place and so relaxing and a short drive you were in the bustling Ayr town centre, it is a real shame that Ayr has become so desolate but not just Ayr nearly every town and seaside town in the UK has the same problems and this has all happened in the space of 20/25yrs. I never thought cheap holidays abroad would cause this much of a decline.
Nothing to do with cheap holidays abroad ,its all part of the N.W.O great reset , wake up
I worked at the County Hotel Wellington Square 1976 for a year .Ayr was a bursting vibrant little place,I had my first paid for meal at the Station Hotel The Island of Dr Moreau at the Odeon and have taken both my daughters there when they were kids. This piece breaks my heart I hope Ayr can be brought back to its heyday and wish all people of Ayr good luck for the future.
Shocking to say the least!i left Scotland in 2002 to live in mainland Spain far away from the idiots on the coast lol.was brought up in ayr belmont then kincaidston..went to castlehill primary school!this video is to say the least very sad to see what has become of ayr😔
Such a shame. I lived in Ayr 12 - 15 years ago. Just a shadow now.
My wife and I jumped on the bus from Glasgow to Ayr about 6 months ago and were stunned with the deterioration of the town. It had been a few years since we had been in Ayr we did our usual in for Chinese meal a walk through the town and into electric bakers for scones and cakes to take up the road. Have just read electric bakers closed about 2 weeks ago so sad I don’t know which party is in charge of council but they should be hounded out office
As an Ayrshire boy born and bred, although not from the town of Ayr, I spent my childhood in the town every weekend almost. There was a vibrant buzz about the high street, great shops and cafes, great nightlife and a well kept environment for locals and holidaymakers. It is now a former shadow of itself.
This video portrays everything that is wrong with the majority of town centres around the UK. From an Ayr and Ayrshire perspective, many towns are very dilapidated and the region has major social and economic problems. It’s catastrophic to see the demise of a once thriving and busy part of Scotland. Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston, Kilmarnock, Irvine, Ayr and Girvan. It’s heartbreaking to see how life has went backwards.
The internet has certainly played its part, but so many other factors have contributed to the demise of the high street and leisure sector from around 2008 onwards.
Much of the industry that employed people in Ayrshire has long gone. Retail in towns gone, government funding and council budgets slashed, crime rates and public disorder increased. It’s all linked and has rapidly got worse.
The station hotel fire caused by mindless idiots was the final stake in Ayr’s heart this year. Very sad.
On a more positive note, there has been more independent cafes, restaurants and shops popping up in the town. All proving to be a success. Footfall is slowly coming back to the town as a result. Large events like the Pavilion festival and the Air Show is pulling people back into the town. Private and government Investment is creeping back in and hopefully South Ayrshire Council will spend the money sensibly and clean up this great town. Ayr is a great town and I am hopeful to see it grow again 💙 #letsmakeayrgreatagain
That is so sad to see ! I worked at Butlins Ayr in 1996 and used to love going into Ayr. I cant help but think, Butlins closing and the Ayr losing those jobs and tens of thousands of Tourists that used to turn up every year, helped turn Ayr into that mess. I know Butlins was turned into a Caravan Park, but is in no way comparable to numbers of tourists Butlins used to bring to the area.
I totally agree...4 holidays from a baby to a late teenager is all I missed, because mum wanted to go elsewhere....that's also where my wee brother was conceived.....Stewart Ballroom and the club underneath with the river had a lot to answer for back in the 70s.....😂😂😂😂
So sad…
My family are all from Ayr. My mum and family.
I not been since 1998 and have fond memories of Ayr bus station and beach, the railway station and hotel. I suspect most my family went to Babylon and got on the bus.
I hope Ayr recovers with the grant.
Really sad. Was in Ayr a few days ago and couldn't believe how bad its become. Its heartbreaking. Im originally from Stranraer and we used to come up in the train to do our Xmas shopping and it was like a mini city. Huge shops and you couldn't move.
This is so sad to see. Ayr used to be a lovely place to go for a day out and, back in the 1960s and '70s, I don't think anyone could ever have imagined this devastation. Sorry to see this update on the town's tragic state.
Remember the times when those high street pavements were packed with Christmas shoppers, you could hardly pass each other, for throngs of people carrying bulging bags filled with Christmas presents.
Remember Amazon?
@@jmcc2275 yes, our lives were a bit different fifty years ago. My sister used to be an agent for the Marshall Ward catalogue, used to love looking thru the new catalogues when they came out. How did we survive without the Internet, mobile phones and Sat Nav.?
One lesson to be learned in life nothing stands still everything changes.
Look at the state of the roads, disrepair and neglect personified. 😎
From before craig Tara right through ayr town centre ,through prestwick ,and onto the bypass the road is the worst condition of any road I've encountered in the whole of scotland.
Great documentary, need more of this about other towns in Scotland
It's like this across the UK
I went to Ayr a few months ago I was shocked it could do with a make over
A fantastic and compelling video that highlights the decline and it seems disrespect and ignorance of a once vibrant town . It’s as if nothing matters anymore it’s so sad !
Our family used to go to Ayr every year in the 80's, it's so sad what's happened now. Why is this been allowed to happen?!?!
Wow that’s heartbreaking. I was there circa 2010 and it was a thriving and bustling town.
I’ve only been to Ayr once as a child back in 2007 and I’m surprised to see what just under 20 years can do to a town. Such a shame!
I grew up in Ayr. It’s sad to see this level of decay, and break my heart every time I’m home. These places were busteling in the 80’s and 90’s. We had some great times in that toon! Thank you for the videos mate!
wow, when I stayed with family in Glasgow as a young boy an aunt used to say she’d take us to the beach in ayr. never went because of her work commitments. looks like I missed its better days.
😮😮
The Internet killed not just Ayr but many high streets around the country . We are solely to blame for its demise
Many high streets exist globally despite the internet because the local councils do what they need to to keep people coming. While the internet wouldn't have helped... This kind of rapid decline doesn't occur unless a council fails to do their job.
Plenty of local roasters though in the summer cutting about topless with bull terrier dugs! 👍
with online shopping a lot of towns have become ghost towns most towns consist of a pub .bookies and pound shop if ure lucky some good takeaways and a carwash
The governments need to start taxing the likes of Amazon very hard
Online shopping cannot be blamed for the decline as an example Japan one of the most hi-tech countries in the world the streets of Tokyo are bustling with people. Halloween, Christmas, Japanese cultural events are mobbed, food stalls are busy as are the stores and restaurants, even those in secluded side streets. All you have to do is type in street walks in Japan on TH-cam and you'll immediately see the difference. There is something else to blame 🤔
@@D0csavage1 Maybe something in the wanter or rent prices
Yep,that’s closer to the truth.
@@D0csavage1Tokyo has population of how many?🤦🏻♂️
Its not just Ayr. The whole of the Ayrshire coast is in decline. Saltcoats, Ardrossan, Stevenston, Troon, Irvine (to an extent) and many others are falling into a state of dereliction. Sad to see.
Scottish government don't care about anywhere outside the central belt.
Sad subject 😢 very good video thank you,I'll be checking out your other videos shortly.
That's why I moved from Ayrshire a dump of a place I used to work all over Ayr,
I’m shocked I had a business in Ayr Indoor Market, I have been out of the U.K. for 25 years and can’t believe what I’m seeing, great job on the film
I remember the indoor market well. Ayr was bustling back then. Very changed days and times. Thanks for watching and commenting. 👍
Am 60 my parents took me for my summer holidays when I was a kid . I took my kids then I noticed a big decline in Ayr . Real shame as it was fantastic
Well done that was a fantastic mini documentary an eye opener I can't believe the changes
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. 👍
Loving the horror movie vibe .Great editing
The horror vibe matches reality I’m afraid. I do tend go down that path tho when editing. Thanks for watching and commenting. Much appreciated 👍
Ayr started to go down over 10yrs ago.
I used to live there and I dated a girl who lived in Ayr. For 3 years I visited Ayr on a weekly basis.
The Arran Mall wasn't busy back then, however, the Highstreet was occasionally.
The problem in Ayr were the Neds, there was already back then a ton of them, and for me what was the final nail in the coffin, the mass brawl at Ayr beach.
To be honest, probably good that there is no trainstation in Ayr anymore, because the Neds from Glasgow vs. the Neds from South Ayrshire is sight to be behold.
Also, it seems to be the reoccurring theme in Ayr.
Some old listed building gets purchased; then stands for years empty and all of the sudden it lights up like a Christmas tree where someone forgot to put the candles out.
This all smells like insurance fraud.
You buy some building, insure it for a lot, apply for planning permissions aso. also you are looking for investors, time passes and suddenly a little fire destroys the listed building, so now you can take it down and build your own monstrosity.
Absolutely shocking it has come to this once thriving Town 😳
I can’t believe what I’m seeing! Ayr is like my second home (from Renfrew but I lived in Ayr for almost a year for uni). I was only in Ayr back in July there for a day, didn’t even know about the odeon closing down.
I’m so devastated. I absolutely love Ayr, will always have a special meaning to me. It’s so upsetting to see the town falling to pieces.
“The same old thing” by a council/ business council etc. is a nearly flawless way to devastate a local economy. We’ve had a similar problem in a nearby former regional centre from 1970 to present.
Great video, I was hoping to see that horrendous thing opposite sports direct on Beresford terrace mentioned, seems to have been empty for decades
How did this happen? What went wrong? Such a pretty and vibrant town to just collapse like that. I'm an Australian, the son of a Scotsman
who came to Australia as a lad with his family. My sister and I have made a pilgrimage to see dad's birthplace in Dundee. We absolutely
love Scotland. It really rips our hearts to shreds to see the demise of Ayr. Surely the town can pull together now with the proposed funding
on offer, and the diehard Scot spirit to overcome overwhelming obstacles. C'mon Ayr, you can do it!
. .
Covid
The diehard Scot spirit has died. Look at and listen to our First Minister.
@@routeman680oh jesus, the diehard Scottish spirit died in 2014, you voted tory, you get tory
Haven't been to Ayr since I was down at KustomPCs in 2005/2006 - certainly didn't look bad back then, from what I remember it.
Irvine and Saltcoats on the other hand have both followed a similar path.
So many big iconic buildings being left to rot and decay , question is which building will be next to be alight ?
As someone who lived in Ayr for most of their life, the most upsetting part of the downfall is truly the little shops. The Arran mall had the cutest and cosiest French Cafe just off to the right as you entered. Or next to Arran mall, there was a Game centre, that had everything you could ever want for a game shop.
It really is so depressing knowing the shops and people from my youth just are gone due to the mistreatment by SAC (South Ayrshire council.). Like the new build, the Cutty-Sark, can’t be used by anyone but the council. I’ve known people who would have used it fully and effectively, but the council said no.
What is the Sutty-Sark and the Grain Exchange even used for, They are the 2 most useless buildings i've ever seen has anyone actually been in them?
@@TheRealPeter3387 Both are let out specifically for council related activities. The Sark more so, that specifically is ONLY for council “approved” activities. Aka, sweet bugger all. The grain exchange is let out to mostly council services (Youth development, heath and wellbeing, etc) but mostly is a tiny market for indie sellers to sell goods. Sometimes there’s specific themes like music, or arts and crafts.
So between the two, the Grain exchange is used more and for a “better” reason. Whilst the Sark is just a fancier place to hold town festivals like tam-fest. Even then, you’d think they’d rent it out to charities, or private groups for events, but as far as I’m aware, there’s like so many hoops to jump through, that even if you’re part of a south Ayrshire council branch, you have even less of a chance.
Was the hotel insured? Just asking. Love to know how much was paid out.
Mysteriously "burst into flames". "Young louts" blamed... how convenient
Pyrotechnic Developments. - Must have Glasgow Experience, come to that anywhere in a big town or city in Scotland or Northern England !
Very sad indeed, I'm from Northern Ireland and when i was young my mother used to take me for a wee break to Ayr every summer which i loved as it was a busy and vibrant town, can't believe how it looks now.
As a mauchline man now in stranraer its sad too see.
Stranraer? If you think Ayr is bad……..
That is a pretty sad sight. Watching this from NYC I have fond memories of my mother taking me to Ayr, to Houstons and I remember going to the Odeon with my x-girlfriend. What Scotland needs is jobs. Inward investent from US companies or worldwide companies where tax breaks can be given. But there is no chance of that. Now everybody ordering from amazon and watching netflix so no need for cinemas or shops. No campaigns to support local businesses. It is so sad that if you cleaned shop and put a bunch of competent people in place they would not even know where to start. There is so much to be done. Thanks for making this video. What a sad situation. A place that in the early 90's was bustling. I remember working at Fairfield House Hotel as a barman, there were very rich people from the US staying there playing golf. I could not imagine them coming there now.
I’m at a loss for words! Is the council liquidated and defunct? Seems like it as NOTHING is being done!
I moved away from Ayr 20 years ago, and I'm really shocked at how run down it now looks.
Used to skateboard in the council buildings next to the Odeon... Didn't realise they had been pulled down
As someone born, bred and still living in Ayr, I'm black affronted at this video.
This was a hard watch. I remember visiting Ayr regularly when my sons were wee in the 2000’s. My mother had a caravan in Dundonald. I remember Clark’s closing and looks like the decline has continued. This is really sad. The shopping and restaurants were great. What a shock watching this!😢
councils should take these buildings and convert to social housing.but probably not enough profit/backhanders to be made
Find out the problem the council had with the Station Hotel ,before the fire.
Visited Ayr hundreds of times and horrible to see it in the state it is in today. How did it get to this point? Is there a plan for the future?
I remember the photo in Ayr station of the platform in a summer many years ago, packed full of people. I sincerely hope one day it can get back to what it once was.
So so sad to see this I remember Ayr as a brilliant seaside town 😢
I spent a weekend in Ayr last year, and I was shocked by how run down the place is. But alas, it's the same as other places, main streets, are full of eating places, pound shops, vape shops and bookies, with shutters covered in graffiti.
So sad to see such iconic places close and never open again and go to waste. Kilmarnock is just as bad, turning into a ghost town 😢
There have been many "turdtown" TH-cam posts recently. Turdland more like.
Greenock is also really bad
A very well put together video that only really scratches the surface. There is the massive eyesore of Falkland Yard, the old chemical works, the railway depot.
Ayr put all its money into stopping cars into the town. Built a ring road/bypass and put all the new shops, car show rooms and cheap hotels outside the town. Who wants to go to Ayr? Ayr has no purpose anymore. The harbour is a working harbour and West of The New Brig, is dull at best. There's no fishing boats, you cannae get down the the end of the pier. The once beautiful view from the Citadel swimming pool has been blocked by yuppy like apartments of averageness. The Citadel is tired, out on a limb.
The whole town has suffered from disconnect over many years. The things that made Ayr unique have been destroyed. There is little to go to Ayr to see anymore it has joined the ranks of so many Ayrshire coast towns, Irvine, Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Girvan... just a good view from the beach on a rare sunny day or fro heads of Ayr or Dundonakd Hill on a starry night.
Against all odds, Troon and Prestwick sort of still keep their heads up, though Prestwick Airport is constantly in doubt, which may eventually bring the curtain down on everything.
Ayr is so bad it doesn't even attract illegal immigrants, so there are some positives at least!
We were forced to go to Ayr as a school trip. The best part was Rabbie Burns cottage, but there was nothing to do for school kids we all just sat on the grass and ate our packed lunches 😂
6:39 I remember this shopping centre. Wow, but Glasgow city centre is the same, iconic Watt Bros have moved out, the city centre is completely dead same as Ayr
would love to get inside some of those abandoned shops and school to have a look around , also need a holiday camp there again with loads of facilities and a few arcades on the shore front .
I was in Ayr last week. At least your town still has plenty of historic architecture , unlike Johnstone Paisley etc , all destroyed by incompetent councillors .
Do not worry, the sturgeon and the great snp will rebuild every run down area in Scotland, give everybody a job and personally hand out cardboard boxes to the babies, after they have blamed Westminster.
Love the production quality , need more scotland vids like this 👌👌
Thanks for watching and commenting. 👍
Sad sad video, I remember Ayr back in the day, always enjoyed it, did a lot of socialising 45 yrs ago lol, work wise I was a coach driver and often did day trips to Ayr, the old dears loved it, hopefully with UK money they might bring some life back.
C’mon nowhere is the same as it was 45 yrs ago.
@@jmcc2275 I don't recall saying its the same, just hoped they bring some life back.
Remember bouncing off The Station Hotels front door in 1979, sore one.
Went to visit a stewardess pal who was overnighting in the town.
Went in to ask directions.
The Plate Glass was so clean I did,nt see it. The girls on reception cracked up,so did my brother who was with me.
I remember Ayr was a great place to get stuff I remember the Ayr forum Ayr was the best place to get all the latest toys at Christmas of years gone by even during the recession of the 90's, the same as Saltcoats the lack of funding to do things result is things being abandoned work was supposed to have continued right up to renovating Dockhead Street.
Who has been running this town, running it down, for this to happen?
That’s tragic. I haven’t been in Ayr for a long time. It’s so sad to see. Saltcoats is in the same state, and, Largs is in decline as well. Irvine is thriving at the harbour side of the shopping centre, but, the High Street is a disgrace. When I think of the Ayrshire that I grew up in, and, compare it to now, they’re worlds apart.
So sad to see what has come of Ayr, such fond memories with friends and family up to only a few years ago and didn't realize how bad it had gotten. Growing up was always shopping in Ayr or getting the messages in. Meeting friends at the Odeon (will never get the smell out at least) and hours of walking up and down, most days not being able to see more than a meter Infront of you for the sea of people. Station hotel sadly, should of been taken down years ago if only for the safety of transport, scaffolding and drapes to protect commuters by train, car and even walking by and having to cross the road to be safe with the pavement and a driving lane closed off at a busy one way system with traffic lights onto a double roundabout. Genuinely, fingers crossed that any money being sent in to revive the town is spent wisely and SAC is not involved unsupervised and logged, an upgrade and revamp might give the town the boost it needs. Just need to hope its not too late and the damage done by SAC has not continued or has condemned the town past repair.
This popped up in my feed and yeah, I recognise it all because I live just up the road in Irvine. Both South Ayrshire and North Ayrshire council's have progressively screwed up both towns for the past two and a half decades.
Never been to Ayr, but so sad to so yet another town in such a shocking state, especially sad for what probably was an extremely fine hotel in it's heyday having to be demolished, I hope the little louts that started the fires are proud of themselves, could do with some proper punishment, they wouldn't be doing it again! So many towns and some cities in England looking just as bad as Ayr, don't know what needs to happen to turn things around. Sky high shop rents and rates don't help for a start!
Sad to see this, I hope Ayr gets funding to restore the town. Btw, 'a sight for sore eyes' does not mean 'eyesore', it means the opposite, ie. a welcome sight, something good
Ayr is a sight for sore eyes nowadays. Barely a decent shop left
a sight for sore eyes
said to mean that something gives you a lot of pleasure when you look at it
@@PAPERCLIP822 aye I just realised the mistake I made
I visited Ayr few years ago, it was truly a lovely place and I enjoyed walking around the buzzing town centre and along the river. It's sad to see how it is now...