Ayr's crumbling police station is to temporarily close with officers set to move to council offices.
Newton House on Green-Street lane will become the new home for police in the town.
Around 200 officers and staff will relocate to the offices less than a mile away where they will share their workplace with South Ayrshire Council.
The team will relocate from their town King Street base and make the move across to Newton-On-Ayr next summer, with some officers being sent to Cumnock as part of the shake up.
The cop shop was previously named Scotland's worst with asbestos fears and leaking roofs cited as an issue.
Ayr station will remain as part of Police Scotland’s estate with plans to upgrade the station into one “fit for future policing.”
Repairing the town’s police station could cost millions of pounds — and its poor condition was discussed at a Scottish Parliament committee in 2019.
Superintendent Derek Frew said: “Ayr Police Station requires significant upgrade and modernisation and was identified as an early priority within Police Scotland’s Estate Strategy.
“The strategy aims to transform our existing estate into one which is modern, flexible and fit for future policing.
"Following a review of alternative locations and a robust feasibility study, the Scottish Police Authority has approved the interim relocation of Ayr Police Station to Newton House and Cumnock.
“The move, which is subject to further approval by South Ayrshire Council, is a substantial project which will see officers and staff relocate to a more productive and appropriate working environment.
“Newton House is already a well-established community landmark and it offers local policing new fit for purpose accommodation which our old premises could not. It will also allow us to maintain a visible, accessible and responsive service.
“I would like to reassure the local community that there will be no change in the quality of policing and no change in the quality of service they have come to expect from their local officers.”
South Ayrshire Council leader Peter Henderson has praised the move.
Councillor Henderson said: “This is partnership working at its best and the culmination of a lot of hard work to identify a suitable site.
“Given the challenges of the building at King Street, this is a welcome move for the police and means they continue to have a strong presence in the heart of Ayr.
“The move is also well received by the Council as we continue to develop options to reduce our estate. Once the appropriate lease is agreed, we will work closely with the police to ensure the move goes smoothly.”
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