Locals have raised fears over the future of an Irvine landmark after a fire broke out at a former bar.

The old Ruby Tuesdays building in the town has been closed for more than a decade and has become run-down.

But in recent years North Ayrshire Council has began to explore the possibility of revitalising the old bar on Bridgegate.

A working group was formed in May in a bid to transform Ruby Tuesdays, along with other areas of The Forum, into a vibrant part of the town.

Some steps have been taken since to move forward with this project, however finding the owners of the buildings has proved a challenge.

There was a further set back on Thursday, November 16, when the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) had to be called out to a "derelict building" on Bridgegate, understood to be Ruby Tuesdays.

A SFRS spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 9.23pm on Thursday, November 16, to reports of a fire at a derelict building at Bridgegate, Irvine.

“Operations Control mobilised two appliances to the scene where crews extinguished the fire.

“Firefighters left after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Many have now raised fears that this could put the future of the building in doubt.