Prestwick’s new ‘super-pub’, which was the subject of a lengthy planning and licensing dispute, will finally open its doors this week, when operator JD Wetherspoon launches the new Main Street venue, creating 45 new jobs in the town.

The new pub – ‘The Prestwick Pioneer’ will open on Tuesday 15^th May, and the company has spent £1 million re-developing the outlet, on the site of the former Woolworths store in Main Street.

The Wetherspoon pub will be managed by Colin Rawson who was previously at The West Kirk pub in Ayr. Colin said: “Myself and my team are looking forward to welcoming customers into the pub and we are confident that it will be a great addition to Prestwick’s community.”

The pub is named after David McIntyre, who was one of Scotland’s leading aviation pioneers and the man behind Prestwick Airport.  In 1933, McIntyre and the Marquis of Clydesdale were the first to fly over Mount Everest.

Three years later they established a flying school at Prestwick, which was an important training centre for RAF pilots in World War Two. McIntyre was heavily involved and also in the development of Prestwick into an international airport.

The new pub will specialise in real ales, serving a wide range of beers, including those from local and regional brewers.  There will also be a selection of up to 60 malt whiskies available.

Children accompanied by an adult, will be welcome in the pub until 8pm throughout the week, however, as a condition on the licence, both the adult and child (babies and toddlers excepted) must order a meal.

The pub will be wheelchair accessible and have a specially-adapted toilet for people with disabilities.

The new-look pub will feature one bar, as well as photos, local history and information boards relating to the history and characters of the area, which will be displayed in the pub. 

An acrylic on canvas painting of Elvis Presley, by local artist Simon Clark, who studied at Glasgow School of Art and who lived locally for many years, has been commissioned and is also on display.  Prestwick was the stopping-off place when his US Army Transport plane stopped for refuelling, in 1960.  It was the only time Elvis set foot on British soil.

The Prestwick Pioneer pub will be open from 8am until 12 midnight Sunday to Thursday and 8am until 12.30am Friday and Saturday.  Food will be served throughout the day, until 10pm every day.

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