A South Ayrshire charity has secured six-figure funding to purchase and renovate the South Parish Church in Girvan, converting it into a multi-purpose community venue with accommodation. According to BBC News, the project represents the first major community gathering space the town will have had in more than 25 years, since the Beach Pavilion closed in 2000.
The South, the charity driving the initiative, has been awarded £184,207 through the Scottish Land Fund. The funding covers 95% of the church's purchase price, legal fees, first-year insurance, and a six-month salary for a dedicated project officer, according to The South's own reporting. The charity, which operates with eight trustees, around 300 members and 100 supporters, was formally established in December 2025 to negotiate the church's purchase from the Church of Scotland following its closure in 2024.
The South Parish Church, built in 1839, will be transformed to host theatre, film and live music events, alongside a new 30-bed bunkhouse designed to support low-cost tourism. The accommodation revenue will fund the venue's day-to-day operations while providing budget lodging for visitors attending Girvan's folk and arts festivals or using the nearby walking and cycling routes.
Why does Girvan need this venue?
The town has lacked a dedicated town hall since 1939, and the closure of the Beach Pavilion two decades ago removed its only unrestricted venue with capacity for over 100 people. This absence has constrained cultural, social and economic development in Girvan and the wider South Carrick area. Alan Jeans, chairman of The South, described the funding as a
once in a generation chance to give South Carrick the venue and gathering space it deserves.He added that
Girvan hasn't had a town hall since 1939 and the only unrestricted venue with a capacity of over 100, the Beach Pavilion, was demolished two decades ago. The lack of an appropriately sized venue and gathering space has restricted the cultural, social and economic growth of Girvan and South Carrick for too long, and this project is our chance to change that.
What will the renovated church include?
The interior will accommodate community events and celebrations, while a new kitchen and bunkhouse will be installed to generate revenue for operations. The 30-bed accommodation will serve both tourists and locals seeking budget-friendly lodging during cultural events and outdoor activities in the region.
How does this fit into Scotland's community regeneration efforts?
The South Parish Church project is one of 24 across Scotland supported by the latest round of the Scottish Land Fund, a partnership between the Scottish government and National Lottery. Since its launch in 2001, the fund has invested close to £140 million in 955 projects nationwide. This award reflects growing momentum in community-led regeneration: the Friends of Wamphray Church recently completed the purchase of a historic 1834 building to operate as an events venue and heritage hub, while Bays of Harris Community Estate Ltd won over £1 million from the Scottish Land Fund to acquire a 27,181-acre estate in the Western Isles.
What happens next?
The South is working with the Church of Scotland to finalise the sale and progress the development. A community engagement event will be held on Thursday, 19 November at 6pm in the Old Church Hall, giving local residents the opportunity to shape the future of the project and have input into its design and operations.
Key Facts:
- The South Parish Church, built in 1839, closed in 2024 and has been vacant since
- The £184,207 award covers 95% of the purchase price plus legal fees, insurance and staffing costs
- The renovated venue will include a 30-bed bunkhouse generating revenue for operations
- Girvan's last dedicated town hall closed in 1939; the Beach Pavilion, its only large unrestricted venue, was demolished in 2000
- The project is one of 24 Scottish initiatives supported in the latest Scottish Land Fund round
