THE team behind the Burns Mall has pledged to improve the Kilmarnock shopping centre after it was ranked among the UK's 10 lowest-rated shopping centres.
New research by clothing printing company OK T-Shirt placed the Burns Mall eighth from bottom in a study of 530 shopping centres across the UK.
The centre received an average rating of 3.17 stars from 2,058 Google reviews, with shoppers raising concerns about the lack of shops and the building's condition.
However, Jon Crouch, commercial & retail estates development manager for the Burns Mall, has stressed that efforts are underway to address longstanding issues and secure a brighter future for the centre.
He said: "As the recent owners, we purchased the property which was in a bad state of repair – suffering from a lack of investment and a multitude of inherent issues."
Jon explained that the building has faced significant maintenance challenges, including issues with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and water ingress.
Repair work has been carried out over the past 12 months, with further improvements ongoing.
He also highlighted the wider challenges facing Kilmarnock town centre, including vacant retail units, anti-social behaviour and the decline of traditional high street shopping.
Jon said the shift towards online shopping and out-of-town retail parks has made it increasingly difficult to attract major brands to town centres.
Despite these challenges, he insisted those behind the Burns Mall are committed to making the centre a success.
He said: "As owner operators we are vested in the centre – we are not here to asset strip it.
"We want to make it work and this is where we need to work together with all key stake holders."
Looking ahead, Mr Crouch revealed plans to engage with the local authority and explore opportunities to diversify the centre's offering beyond traditional retail.
He also called for greater cooperation with the council to improve areas surrounding the mall and help tackle problems affecting the wider town centre.
Management hopes that working alongside local organisations and attracting new services could help bring more people into the centre and support its long-term future.
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