PLANS to transform a former Ayr bar into a convenience store have been given the green light.

The former Horseshoe Bar in George Street closed its doors earlier this year and was placed on the market for £76,000.

Proposals were lodged with South Ayrshire Council for a change of use alongside alterations to the frontage.

The external alterations comprise of the installation of replacement windows and doors and roller shutters. Full details are set out within the application submission.

The hours of operation are proposed as 6am to 10pm seven days a week, and the shop would employ four full-time and four part-time members of staff.

The store will use the same waste management arrangements as the former public house, with waste stored in bins to the rear within the private courtyard.

The agents for the application are Helix Architecture Studio Ltd and the applicant is Tajinder Pal Singh.

The plans have now been approved by council officers, who said: "The property most recently operated as a public house.

"It is considered that the proposed operating hours of the convenience store are such that the use shall not operate any later than 10pm, which is earlier than the common closing times of a public house.

"As such, it is considered that the proposed use shall result in less noise and overall disturbance at night.

"There are also other commercial properties within close proximity of the site, including a taxi office and bakery.

"Given the history of the site, that the proposed use shall not operate as late as the former public house and that there are other commercial units within the locale, the development proposal is not considered to result in a significant adverse impact on the residential amenity at the locale."