Work is set to begin on a new feature in Kilmarnock town centre within weeks. Dubbed Poets' Corner, a new bench and flower planters will be installed in front of the striking Robert Burns mural on the corner of John Dickie Street and Strand Street.
Masterplan Initiative
The project marks the start of Kilmarnock's masterplan, one of several initiatives by council leaders to improve the town centre's natural and built environment. Work will commence on June 19 to create a public space in front of the mural, featuring an ornamental seat with planters and an ironwork inscription of a verse from Burns' poem The Ordination, celebrating Kilmarnock's people.
Collaborative Effort
The East Ayrshire Council team behind the masterplan has been meeting with elected members, community groups, private and non-profit sectors, Ayrshire 360 (formerly East Ayrshire Leisure), and Ayrshire Roads Alliance. They aim to identify priorities, gather funding, and create a coordinated plan to revitalise the town.
Council Leader Douglas Reid said: “Poets’ Corner is just one in a series of projects under consideration as part of our wider Masterplan for Kilmarnock. Positioned immediately under the watch of our famous bard, and immediately adjacent to the headquarters building for the World Burns Federation – the location of such a venture could not be more perfect!
“Poets’ Corner will be an intimate event space where people can stop, learn more about Burns and his influence on the town and celebrate poetry in all its forms. It will be a focus for new poets and performers and is a very welcome addition to our town centre.”
Completion and Events
Work on the new bench will be completed by July 10, coinciding with the start of the Kilmarnock Burns Festival on Saturday, July 18. One of the first events will be the launch of a long-running “Post a poem” feature encouraging people to write their own poetry verses.
To facilitate installation of the new seating area, paving, and planting, temporary traffic lights and some on-street parking restrictions will be in place from June 19.
