The work is being funded by a number of organisations, including Historic Scotland and South Ayrshire Council among others, in combination with the property owners themselves. Twelve flats and fives shops are being worked on with painting, roofing and structural working being carried out.
With scaffolding in place for almost a year and the work is only half complete, the council has refused to break down the cost of the work. It is known that, on average, monthly payments to the contractor amount to around £67,000. However, the exact costs of materials, labour and the scaffolding itself are not known.
By way of explanation, the council has said:
“The council has consulted the existing contractor, who has advised that they do not wish the financial terms which they have negotiated with the council to be released to competitors.”
Other details have been made public, however. Project management costs have come in at £144,900; project consultants have been paid £88,928; while administrative costs – which include premises, poster printing and expenditure on other advertising materials – have been £42,093.