l The first stage in redeveloping Duke Street got underway this week as contractors moved in to demolish some of the buildings.

Duke Street Commercial Ltd, working with Thomas Hunter Architects of Kilmarnock in Scotland, applied (18/00641/B) to demolish 42-50 Duke Street and replace it with a taller building comprising of shops and 11 flats.

The section due to be demolished runs from the former KFC store to the butchers Fentons at 42 and would see it replaced by a six-storey building with a roof garden.