McLaughlin & Harvey, the Belfast-headquartered construction and civil engineering firm, has been officially appointed as the main contractor for the significant £20 million redevelopment of the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall in Kilmarnock, Scotland.

This major investment will see the existing facilities transformed into a state-of-the-art regional concert hall and theatre.

The "Cultural Kilmarnock" project, which secured funding from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund along with support from East Ayrshire Council, achieved a key milestone this week with the signing of contracts. Mobilisation on site is scheduled to begin during July 2025, with the main construction work set to commence on Monday, 4 August 2025. The project is targeted for completion in early 2028.

McLaughlin & Harvey will lead the extensive refurbishment, supported by an external multi-disciplinary team spearheaded by Atkins Realis. The wider project team also includes firms such as Keppie Design, RSP, Struers, Wardall Armstrong, Atelier Ten, and Theatre Plan.

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The scope of works for the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall is comprehensive. It includes the construction of a new extension at the front of the Palace Theatre, which will house a new café and bar, reception, ticket office, and provide improved level access to both venues. Both the theatre and the grand hall will undergo significant internal and external refurbishment. This involves upgrades to back-of-house facilities, stage areas, public spaces, and the implementation of energy-efficient heating and electrical systems.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, welcomed the firm's appointment and the imminent start of works: "Today's announcement of the start date is music to my ears, and I'm sure the people of Kilmarnock share my excitement to learn that works can now officially commence. It's full steam ahead for a project which will not only transform the town of Kilmarnock, but which will boost our cultural offerings and bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits to all of East Ayrshire."

He acknowledged the complexity of the project: "Technically, this is a very complex project and the team has taken time to ensure every detail has been considered to mitigate and address these challenges. This is a key milestone which marks the culmination of months of planning and coordination and shared ambition between all partners and I very much look forward to seeing this progress."

McLaughlin & Harvey has a long-standing presence and extensive portfolio of projects across both the UK and Ireland, making this appointment a natural fit for a project of this scale and complexity.