HALO seeks to breathe new life into derelict Johnnie Walker plant

摘要

In 2009, Johnnie Walker announced it was closing its whisky bottling plant in Kilmarnock, ending its 192-year connection with the town. Hundreds of jobs were lost and more than 20,000 people marched in protest, including then first minister Alex Salmond. Eight years later, regeneration company HALO hopes to transform the former factory. Its mixed-use scheme is centred around a 60,500 sq ft 'enterprise and innovation hub' that will house both financial and cyber-focused companies, large and small. This will be built in phase one and is scheduled to open in 2020, with later phases including more commercial and industrial space alongside 210 'live-work studios'.