Cultural Kilmarnock Project
Kilmarnock has officially entered the competition to become the UK Town of Culture 2028!
In celebration of our town’s culture and heritage, we have submitted a digital postcard to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). You can view our entry alongside others from across the country on the official UK Town of Culture Digital Map
Cultural Kilmarnock is an extensive project that involves an area to the east of the town centre and includes culturally significant buildings including the Palace Theatre, Grand Hall and the Dick Institute. The project was awarded £20m from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund. Scroll to the bottom of the page to read more about the project.
Read more about the project
The design of a ‘Cultural Park’ that creates green corridors and active travel routes between these key heritage assets and the town centre will provide increased opportunities for outdoor performances and events. The project also includes major reimagining of the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall to create a regional concert hall and theatre with extensive improvements to the accessibility and energy efficiency. The Palace Theatre & Grand Hall closed in 2024 to allow works to commence and we will provide updates throughout the project.
The exciting and ambitious project also promises to assist in increased employment and training opportunities within the creative industries, will contribute to local economy through high-profile programming attracting people from outwith Kilmarnock and will develop wellbeing initiatives through community engagement and participation in programmes and activities, including the creation of a Young People’s Theatre.
This project is being developed in partnership with East Ayrshire Council and will link into the Kilmarnock Town Centre Strategic Regeneration Framework developed under the East Ayrshire Local Development Plan 2.
McLaughlin & Harvey, the main contractor for the Cultural Kilmarnock, commenced their programme of works from May 2025 following a series of exploratory enabling work packages, including asbestos, drainage, rot and utilities surveys. McLaughlin & Harvey is a privately owned company with over 170 years of experience, specialising in construction and civil engineering. Founded in 1853 and now operating throughout the UK and Ireland, the company employs over 800 people and has office locations in Belfast, Glasgow, London, Birmingham and Bristol.
The Levelling Up Fund provides £800 million for capital investment for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that local authorities can bid for. Cultural Kilmarnock is one of only 10 projects in Scotland to secure money from this second round on the Levelling up Fund.
View more details on the vision for the project here
Read the Stage 2 Development Report here
The Levelling Up Funding Application can be viewed here
