TCDT opens bids for design team to take Tarbolton Community Hub forward

Tarbolton Community Development Trust (TCDT) has opened bids for the first design phase of the proposed Tarbolton Community Hub, marking another major step towards turning the community’s plans into reality.

The Trust is inviting suitably experienced professionals to bid to join the project’s design team and progress the proposed new hub through the early RIBA design stages.

The new community hub is planned for the site of the former Tarbolton Community Centre at 69–71 Montgomerie Street, which was demolished following the development of the Community Campus. The Trust is seeking to acquire the site from South Ayrshire Council through a Community Asset Transfer.

The appointment will begin the process of translating years of community consultation into practical designs for the site. TCDT’s plans envisage a flexible, multi-purpose building with a community café at its heart, alongside meeting and activity rooms, space for sport and recreation, community events, training, services and private functions.

The project responds directly to the Tarbolton Community-Led Action Plan and subsequent consultation. The Trust’s business plan identifies the loss of accessible community space as one of the strongest concerns raised locally, with residents calling for better facilities, more opportunities for social activity and somewhere capable of supporting groups and services across the village.

Matthew McColm, Development Officer at Tarbolton Community Development Trust, said:

“This is a really exciting step for the project. For a long time we have been talking with the community about what people want to see on the former Community Centre site. Opening the procurement process means we are beginning to turn those conversations and ideas into something tangible.

“We want to appoint a design team that understands what we are trying to achieve — not simply a new building, but a welcoming community hub that can become the heart of Tarbolton for generations to come.

“There is still a lot of work and fundraising ahead of us, but every stage like this takes us another step closer to seeing something built on the site again.”

TCDT’s longer-term vision is for the hub to provide affordable space throughout the day and evening for everything from coffee mornings and youth activities to fitness classes, community meetings, training, events and celebrations.

The Trust is currently progressing the wider Community Asset Transfer process and preparing the technical and funding work required before any construction could begin. Scottish Government asset-transfer guidance recognises that larger redevelopment projects require professional input, detailed planning and realistic proposals for funding and long-term operation.

Organisations interested in the design-team contract can view the procurement information and supporting project documents at tarbolton.org/tcdt-hub-2026-01/.

Bids must be submitted by 17:00 on Friday 18th September.