WEST Kilbride is set for a major transformation after securing £350,000 of funding to upgrade shopfronts in the village.

A total 18 are to be upgraded this year, on top of ten businesses who gave their premises a makeover last year.

The second round of funding from North Ayrshire Council comes after a campaign by locals.

Community councillor Kay Hall says the improvements have made a huge difference to the village - and is hoping the 18 new shopfronts can have the same impact.

She said: “Nobody wants to come to a village that looks run down and since the changes last year, locals and visitors delighted with what they see.

“If people are living in a place that looks cared for then they want to spend time there.

“It really reflects on the community, and we all care for West Kilbride deeply.”

Kay believes the upgrades can provide a timely boost for the village as tourists come back after the pandemic.

She explained: “Walking up West Kilbride Main Street and going into all the individual shops, you can see they all have their own character.

“We want to give a visual boost to our traders, and if their frontages are upgraded, then it really improves the area visually.

“It improves the overall experience of walking through West Kilbride, as well as shopping here. Anyone who comes here now will remark on how nice the village looks.

“If you live in an area where there’s rubbish lying all over the street and everything is crumbling then it can be really demoralising.”

Kay has hailed the West Kilbride community for their determination to make sure a second round of funding was secured.

She said: “This second round was instigated by the people because of the relationship we built with the council during the first tranche last year.

“Phase two is all down to the friendly pressure that residents put on the council.

“We are delighted that we are getting more shopfronts done.”