South Ayrshire Council confirms 'debt recovery' action taken against Ayr Station Hotel owner Sunny Ung

South Ayrshire Council bosses have confirmed a global debt recovery bid is under way against the owner of the Station Hotel.

The local authority is currently chasing Malaysian businessman, Sunny Ung, for millions stumped up by the taxpayer. Council chiefs today said that legal action was under way in both Malaysia and the UK in a bid to recover the money spent making the crumbling hotel safe.

It comes as safety works on the fire ravaged site continues, with contractors forced to operate mainly by hand due to their work in close proximity to the hotel's canopy across Ayr railway station. The war memorial on platform three will soon be removed and stored safely by Network Rail and ScotRail.

The recent court application by Sunny Ung to stop the safety works at the site was refused at an interim interdict hearing in Edinburgh's Court of Session earlier this month. Council chiefs say they have not, so far, received formal service of any further court papers from the owner’s solicitors.

A statement read: "Decrees have been awarded in the council’s favour against the owner in both the Sheriff Court and Court of Session. Debt recovery action is being taken in both the United Kingdom and in Malaysia. We’re still on schedule for the works to be completed by around mid-June."

Read next:

• Ayr Station Hotel owner Sunny Ung breaks silence and halts demolition work

• Plan for former Kilmarnock Aulds the Bakers store unveiled as new store proposed

• Lidl unveils new Ayrshire store locations on 'wishlist' plan

• Mum 'worried' at kids not receiving hot meal in nurseries

• Ayrshire hotel named best in the region at national awards ceremony

Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter