Ardrossan

A history of the town and the vision for the future

Ardrossan is a historic settlement.  The headland has been occupied since neolithic times and the castle was an important local power base until the 16th century.  However, the town today was shaped in the 19th century when a planned town was laid out to serve the docks that were developing in the area.  There were great plans to link the docks to Glasgow by canal.  While this did not happen, the port remained busy for more than a century and in 1925 the Shell depot was established.  Since that time the port has declined and the only significant trade is the ferry to Arran.  The harbourside however is currently an expanding marina and yacht chandlery. 

The vision for Ardrossan is as a gateway to Arran and a good place to live and relax next to the sea in a regenerated town centre serving the existing and incoming community.  This will be achieved through renewal of the town centre and the future development of the harbourside in a co-ordinated and overall plan.  Key to this is what we have called the Heart of the town initiative where a new ASDA supermarket has recently opened and new housing is planned as well as improvements to Glasgow Street and Princes Street and the possible redevelopment of the Montgomerie Street flats. Early action has been taken to upgrade office and retail premesis in the town centre. These current projects will be completed early in 2008.