Abandoned Ayr shopping centre described as scene from 'apocalypse' by urban explorers
Urban explorers who gained access to Ayr's former Kyle Centre have lamented its "apocalyptic vibes."
In a nine minute video posted to YouTube, scenes have been shot from within the old shopping mall, which closed to the public four years ago. Abandoned retail units can be seen - many still with old stock left behind - including music equipment, bikes and vinyl records.
The team behind the camera roam both floors of the building, which at its peak played host to retail giants like River Island. The Centre traded for more than 30 years before eventually shutting its doors in 2020. It has been left to rot ever since with a number of false dawns over potential new plans to build a cinema and leisure offering in its place.
In the clip, posted by the YouTube channel 'Exploring With Natasha,' shattered glass lies over the escalators which lead up to the former food court - with large pools of water now covering the top floor having breached the roof space. Much of the ground floor remains untouched from the day the centre closed, with boxes of old stock on show - and everything from sports trophies to guitars and VHS videos still present.
The Kyle Centre first opened its doors in 1988 at a cost of £21m. At the time it was the town’s first large, modern indoor shopping complex. During that time local retail took off with 20 different shops on the ground floor, a few fast-food outlets on the first floor with several other associated units.
The centre boasted popular chains such as Topshop, River Island and New Look. Over the years, though, it struggled to maintain a unique shopping experience - with the larger, more out of town retailers, increasing their influence as the years went on.
Since the 2008 recession and a general downturn in the economy, the centre struggled to compete with ever-changing shopping trends, the rise of online shopping and changing customer demands. The centre then plunged into administration in 2014. Property giant Squarestone then swooped with a £5m buy-out.
In 2016, it was purchased again, but the site’s owners, Alloway (Scotland) LLP, have failed to bag a cinema deal since winning planning consent. That resulted in Ediston Real Estate, who own Heathfield Park, walking away from their bid to buy the Kyle Centre and take over the project.
More than 15 businesses were abrubtly turfed out when the centre suddenly closed in 2020 - and no concrete plans for the site's future have been forthcoming in the years since.
To view the clip visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjqvK9K163I
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