Marine Parade - Kirn shopping area - Make Kirn an even better destination for walkers, cyclists and wanderers. Build an attractive public toilet and changing facility to bring more people to the beach and shops. Support the vibrant local businesses based in Kirn to maintain their shops and enhance the streetscape.

Kirn has a rich heritage as a visitor destination and today hosts a range of specialist shops and businesses that continue to serve the local community and tourists. Kirn Gardens provides a large recreation space, cared for by the community through Envirokirn voluntary group, that leads to a stunning shingle beach.  

However, a reduction in facilities, especially public toilets, and the neglect of buildings that have commercial and accommodation uses, reduces retail options and removes valuable housing opportunities.  

Inconsistent street furniture and fenced off areas facing the street create a poor-quality streetscape. Parking pressures also prevents people from stopping and shopping.  

Local Place Plan 

• Expand the CARS project approach to work with local businesses and residents to ensure key buildings and shop spaces in Kirn are maintained and renovated to bring them back in to use, improving the street scape and the number of shop units available. 

• Support more people to visit Kirn by building a high quality, creatively designed public toilet and changing facility at Kirn Gardens to increase the viability of Kirn as a visitor destination. 

• Implement elements of the plans developed to introduce a cycle path along the East Bay, including improvements to pedestrian crossing, landscaping at Kirn Gardens and heritage interpretation. 

• Rationalise parking provision to ensure there is space for retail parking. 

• Install bike storage to develop Kirn as a cycling and walking destination. 

• Consider relocating or housing recycling bins differently to improve their visual impact.  

• Invest in high quality street furniture that increases planting and seating opportunities. 

Community Action Plan 

• Local stakeholders, including Argyll and Bute Council Economic Development Team, the Business Improvement District and Dunoon Community Development Trust to continue to work together to access funding for a collective marketing campaign for Kirn and develop events that drive footfall to shops.

• Work with local community groups to improve beach access and the local environment through beach cleans and events that celebrate Kirn’s marine environment.