The new Loudoun Retail Park has officially opened in Galston, revitalising the Irvine Valley with a multimillion-pound investment.

Alongside retailers Greggs and Farmfoods, energy giant E.On has installed eight 300kW EV charging bays, which are amongst the most powerful and fastest in Scotland. The site also has 3,000 sq ft of roadside retail space remaining, which can be split into two units.

The charging bays also puts Galston firmly on the map since it is amongst only a handful of locations in Scotland with such levels and rapidity of charging capability. Drivers can charge from around 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes, creating a new ‘stop and shop’ destination for electric vehicle users.

More than 24,000 vehicles pass the site every day, with initial data showing a further increase in traffic since opening. Loudoun Retail Park has over 100 parking spaces, laid out to maximise accessibility including dedicated disabled, parent and child bays, and a separate zone for EV charging.

The development has been led by local businessmen Gareth Downie and Paul McIvor of Downie & McIvor Capital.

Gareth Downie said: “This is genuinely the most significant development for the Irvine Valley in 30 years, not only in terms of private sector investment, but in the impact it will have on jobs, confidence and the quality of life in our community.

“Our aim from the outset was to bring proper amenities, modern retail and real economic activity back into the valley, and it is already doing exactly that.”