IRVINE’S newly refurbished Bridgegate House was officially declared open this week with a special ceremony.

Local MSP Margaret Burgess had the honour of unveiling North Ayrshire Council’s £9m building in the heart of Irvine town centre.

Despite the building being open since last year, the finishing touches were being put on the new facade for the last few weeks.

The building now holds a customer service centre where locals can pay their rent, claim their benefits or receive valuable advice from staff.

As well as the modern office facilities, the main offices have been completely redesigned, replacing the previously outdated 1970s-style design inside and out.

The work to Bridgegate House was part of the multi-million pound regeneration project in association with Irvine Bay Regeneration Company along with the streetscape work on the Bridgegate area and Trinity Church.

North Ayrshire Council Leader Willie Gibson said: “The difference that the new Bridgegate House makes, along with the work on Bridgegate and Trinity Church, is clear to see.

“I would like to thank everyone involved, including the community and businesses who have been patient throughout the construction, our own staff, our partners at Irvine Bay, GRAHAM Construction and the young apprentices who have gained valuable experience on the project.

“Regeneration requires many different things to make it a success. One of the most difficult to measure is that of a real sense of positivity.

“I am sure that anyone standing in Bridgegate now will have a different perception of Irvine than they would have before the work began two years ago.” Gary Holmes, regional director, GRAHAM Construction, said: “The refurbishment of Bridgegate House was a major undertaking and we are proud of the end result.

“The building occupies a prominent position in Irvine and we trust that local people will enjoy the visually appealing and eye-catching design of the exterior as well as the radical improvements to the interior. We are confident the new Bridgegate House will prove to be a popular community facility for the people of North Ayrshire.”