Town centres across Scotland are currently experiencing a revitalisation driven by tailored, local investment, exemplified by the significant transformation underway in Kilmarnock.
This renewal effort is being spearheaded by the entrepreneurial vision of Hugh Mulgrew, founder of Corespace. His strategy of redeveloping long-neglected buildings into productive, community-focused assets, built on a foundation of strong partnerships, is successfully sparking wider town centre renewal.
The project’s launch involved the strategic acquisition and renovation of a Portland Street building that had suffered years of vacancy, a factor that had previously undermined confidence in the future of the area. Following its renovation, the building now provides much-needed modern serviced offices for eleven different organisations, supporting a mix of small local firms and national charities. This shift has demonstrably supported new job creation, boosted footfall and contributed to a more active and supportive environment for new start-ups – illustrating the impactful returns of focused, strategic, place-based investment.
The success is largely attributed to effective partnership working. Deep collaboration with bodies such as East Ayrshire Council and businesses development platforms like Barclays Eagle Labs, in addition to engaging local suppliers and the tenant businesses themselves, has forged a supportive ecosystem that delivers value well beyond the immediate property. These established relationships have been critical in enabling subsequent regeneration projects: the former Civic Centre North has been successfully converted into Recovery Matters, a community hub delivered alongside East Ayrshire Churches’ Homelessness action and the long-vacant White Tile Building is now under redevelopment and was already fully let prior to completion.
This concentrated pattern of investment has instilled a vital new level of confidence in Kilmarnock’s town centre and demonstrably strengthened the resilience of the local economy. The methods deployed by Corespace provide a tangible model for other towns in Scotland. The key takeaway is that with the appropriate strategic vision, committed partnerships and a preference for choosing local solutions, vacant properties can be reinvented as powerful engines of renewal, allowing communities to significantly grow, diversify their economic base and achieve prosperity.
A High Street Hero
Hugh Mulgrew was recognised for his work in bringing jobs and investment into the town, taking home the Scotland Loves Local High Street Hero Award for South Scotland in the 2025 Scotland Loves Local Awards.
