15-05-2025
Scots knitwear giant closes in on welcome return to Ayr High Street
Planning permission has been granted under delegated powers for the firm to erect signage across the road from its previous base.
A move to bring The Edinburgh Woollen Mill back to Ayr High Street has taken a step forward.
Planning permission has been granted under delegated powers for the firm to erect signage across the road from its previous base.
The shop, previously based at 208-210 High Street, closed in November 2020 when parent company, the EWM Group, entered administration.
Plans were subsequently lodged recently in an attempt to open a new store across the road, at the former Barclays Bank site.
The applicant in the proposals is Carlisle-based Purepay Retail Ltd, who sought alterations at the former bank, in 225-229 High Street.
Plans clearly show The Edinburgh Woollen Mill signage at the listed building.
Following the company's collapse during the pandemic a deal was struck by Purepay Retail Ltd to take on Edinburgh Woollen Mill, along with Ponden Home and Bonmarche and bring them out of administration in a rescue deal, which saved almost 2,500 jobs and 300 stores.
Now plans to re-establish the knitwear brand back in a key location in Ayr have been green-lighted.
Barclays Bank closed in May last year as bosses blamed the rise in online banking as a key factor.
