Like most high streets across the UK, it’s no stranger to hardships in recent years, as online shopping decimates retail districts by reducing footfall. Prestwick has fought back, though, coming up with innovative ways to keep shoppers engaged to support its high street, offering free local parking for residents and launching community projects.
One such scheme involves the recent acquisition of the town’s historic Broadway Cinema, well-known for its Art Deco architecture, a cherished landmark dating back to 1935. It was purchased by a local community group that pledged to restore the building to its former glory, showcasing the town’s togetherness in the process.
Prestwick was ranked as having one of the fastest-selling house markets in the UK in 2023 by Rightmove, with the average time to find a buyer just 14 days. The year prior, buyer enquiries for homes in Prestwick increased by a staggering 116%. Now, Rightmove states the average house price hovers around £210,000, significantly below the Land Registry’s UK House Price Index average of £272,995.
A healthy collection of busy cafes helps to keep its tight-knit community together, while pubs and restaurants keep younger crowds entertained when night falls.
Popular spot The Vine doubles up as a “vibrant day to night bar & restaurant serving delicious seasonal flavours, perfectly crafted cocktails and unforgettable nights.” Elsewhere, the Town House, on Main Street, offers traditional pub grub at affordable prices whilst earning rave reviews online.
Further afield, the highly-rated Kirkmichael Arms, featured in the Michelin Guide, is a less-than-30-minute drive away from the town, in the “small, well-kept village in the shadow of the ‘Ayrshire Alps’,” according to the guide.
“The extensive menu includes some global influences infused into the pubby favourites – such as the tom yum pork scratchings – and there’s an underlying generosity to both the portions and the flavours. Every dish comes with a wine or cocktail recommendation from the well-priced list, and the warm, welcoming team show a real desire to please.”
