The opening of the new Ardrossan South Beach Community Hub has been delayed again, the Herald can reveal.

Tje Ardrossan Community Development Trust (ACDT), which is behind the plan for a community café and hub along with new toilet facilities on the prom, says a string of problems with contractors and public services, have led to the delay.

The hub, on the site of the former toilet block on South Beach, was originally supposed to have been completed in March this year, well ahead of the busy holiday season.

Work by McLaughlin Construction began last September, but the March completion date was pushed back to June after the project hit stumbling blocks.

That led to complaints from the public as it left just one toilet available for visitors to the beach and prom.

ACDT chairman Scott Mould is now hoping the work will finally be complete by July 26.

He told the Herald: “We are doing everything we can to make this happen as quickly as possible.

“We are embarrassed by the fact that it is running late, but these were circumstances beyond our control.

“We had a meeting last week with the design team and contractors. I made it known as chairman we were not happy with the progress.

"We are now anticipating a finishing date of July 26, but I have not had that confirmed on paper yet, despite pushing for it.

“As a development trust, we need to keep the community and our funders and the local authority up to date with the progress.”

Mr Mould added: “Of course, it was initially supposed to be finished by March. We wanted it done to done to minimise the impact on visitors.

“There were a couple of issues and a delay in getting the roller shutters fitted internally, rather than externally because there were worries that birds would perch on them.

“The other issue was we got the electricity supply in, but there was a delay in installing a meter.

“Scottish Power could not install one because we had no formal address. We then got a postcode allocated by Royal Mail, but it didn’t show up for Scottish Power and that led to another delay, but it was sorted out by June 21.”

He continued: “I know people are frustrated, but I am taking some positives from that because it shows they really want the project to go ahead.

“We will be planning a big launch when it is ready and we are having talking about bringing the fairground to South Beach for the big launch.”

McLaughlin Construction have been approached for comment.