Mancini’s Royal Café in Ayr scoops top ice cream awards

By: Murdoch MacDonald

MANCINI’S ROYAL CAFÉ in Ayr has won several awards at a prestigious national ice cream competition, and to mark their achievement South Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan presented the company with a Quaich.


[Pictured at the presentation is Provost Sloan and Philip Mancini along with guests that included family members, employees of the company and other Councillors. CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

The national competition, which was held in the NEC in Birmingham last October, attracted expert ice cream producers from all over Great Britain, who gathered to showcase their products.

Mancini’s won the Gold Medal and Silver Challenge Cup for their dairy vanilla ice cream; the Silver Rose Bowl in the artistic ice cream class and the Scottish challenge cup for their vanilla ice cream.

After meeting Filippo Mancini, members of his family and others connected with the company, Provost Sloan said: “I am very proud that Mancini’s, a thriving and forward thinking company, that is held in such high esteem, has attracted so many awards. It has raised the profile of the company, Ayr and South Ayrshire.

“Many local people enjoy Mancini’s ice cream. However, it is important that in an area such as South Ayrshire, where we attract many tourists, that they can be sure of being able to sample the best ice cream that is on offer in Scotland and beyond.

“Mancini’s is a fine example of what can be achieved by a company with hard work and determination.”

After receiving a Quaich from Provost Sloan on behalf of Mancini’s, Filippo Mancini said: “Taking part in the competition and winning the awards was very exciting, a lot of hard work goes into creating our ice creams. Winning the awards was a real team effort, everyone in the company played a part in our success. I feel humbled that Provost Sloan, on behalf of the Council, presented the company with a Quaich. It is something that we will treasure for many years to come”

LINK:

Mancini's Ice Cream - Ayr

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New street signs and pocket map guide tourists around Ayr

CARNEGIE LIBRARY in Ayr and the town centre echoed with the sound of a Town Crier at the dual launch of Ayr’s new distinctive black and gold Ayr-Ways signage system of mapping and information points in Ayr town centre and FREE pocket sized map. These will both guide new residents and visitors to Ayr to places of interest and make sure they see the best that Ayr has to offer.


[Pictured at one of the Ayr-Ways displays in the Sandgate in Ayr are the Town Crier with Depute Provost Mary Kilpatrick behind Ainsleah McQuiston (front left) and Amy McPherson (front right) who were handing out information leaflets about the new system. CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

The Ayr-Way signage combines colourful mapping, photographs and text that together highlight Ayr’s past and the facilities available in the town. Although Ayr town centre is relatively small, with lots of interesting streets, visitors can become disorientated and miss some of the best parts. These include the High Street, Sandgate and the Citadel that have many buildings of architectural interest, plus the River Ayr, the seafront and Low Green all with exciting stories to tell of Ayr’s past.


[Pictured: South Ayrshire Council Depute Provost Mary Kilpatrick officially launched the Ayr-Ways signage system at Carnegie Library in Ayr, and is pictured with invited guests.]

Speaking at the launch, South Ayrshire Council’s Depute Provost, Mary Kilpatrick said: “People who know Ayr well have no trouble find their way around Ayr town centre easy and getting to our beautiful beach. Ayr’s medieval street layout makes this a little more difficult for visitors. The new Ayr-Ways signs and the free pocket map will make it easier for visitors to explore and make sure that they do not miss the many exciting places of interest that are within walking distance of the town centre. We have to do everything we can to attract visitors to Ayr and encourage them to return.”

On the day of the launch a Town Crier, accompanied by two assistants, spread the word about the new system as he walked around the High Street and the Sandgate. He encouraged people to visit Carnegie Library and see a specially created exhibition in the foyer that displays the panels used in the Air-Ways system and the FREE pocket map.

Councillor Hywel Davies, the Portfolio Carrier for Learning and Prosperity said: “It is very important that visitors to Ayr are helped to find their way around Ayr town centre. Tourism is crucial to our local economy, it generates around £200 million pounds per year to South Ayrshire, and is an important source of employment.

“The Ayr-Ways signs are a simple way of guiding tourists, who arrive in Ayr at the bus and rail stations or car parks, round the town and letting them make informed choices about how they would like to spend their time in the town.”

In addition 100,000 promotional FREE pocket maps have been produced that contain valuable information about facilities and buildings in and around Ayr.

South Ayrshire Council funded the project with grant support from Scottish Enterprise and European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.

Scottish Enterprise project manager Catriona McLeod said: “The Ayr-Ways project will significantly improve the local tourist experience by encouraging visitors to explore Ayr further, to stay longer and come back again which in turn will bring added economic benefits to the town.

“This enhanced public information provision in Ayr’s town centre and seafront areas will prove a real boon for the many visitors attending the annual Burns an’ a’ that Festival in the coming weeks.”

www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk

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First flat horserace meeting of the season at Ayr Racecourse

By: Iain Ferguson

AYR Racecourse holds its first flat meeting of the year on Wednesday 21 May with a seven-race card coming under starter’s orders at 2.00pm.


The first race is the European Breeders’ Fund Maiden Stakes for two year-olds over six furlongs, and it is expected that the big hitting stables of Mark Johnston and Mick Channon will both have runners in this one.

Feature race is the DM Hall Handicap over five furlongs with £10,500 in prize money, including £6,799 to the winner, and this is sure to attract some decent handicappers from the north’s top yards.

Last race on the card is the marathon Dawn Construction Handicap Stakes run over one mile seven furlongs at 5.30pm.

Special discounts are available on tickets booked seven or more days in advance. For more information go online at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk or call 0870-8505666.

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Ayr Racecourse attracts record crowds
for Scottish Grand National Festival

By: Our Own Correspondent

ALMOST 22,000 people flocked to Ayr Racecourse over last weekend for the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival.


[CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

The two-day crowd was the largest for more than 25 years, with 5,500 in attendance on Friday and more than 17,200 on Saturday.

And a staggering 1.1 million viewers watched the race live on Channel 4 – a significant increase on last year.

The new £4.5 million Grandstand Bar opened for the first time, and was voted a great success. One racegoer, Alan Clarke from Ayr said: “The facilities here have improved greatly. The new bar is a tremendous asset, and there was very little queuing over the two days.”

More than 1,500 people stayed on to watch The Saw Doctors on Friday night and the Irish rockers played a set that lasted almost two hours.

It certainly was thirsty work over the weekend, and almost 50,000 pints of beer were sold and bar taking were up on the same weekend last year.

Tote turnover at their on course betting outlets was also appreciably up year on year, and the 18 new bookmakers pitches in the Paddock Lawn area and in the Grandstand also reported brisk business.

A total of 800 staff were on hand to make sure everything ran smoothly, and a huge fleet of taxis ferried punters into Ayr and Prestwick and other surrounding towns and villages after racing, ensuring a huge spin-off for the local community.

Racecourse spokesman Iain Ferguson said: “The weekend was a great success, and my phone has been red-hot with people congratulating the team at Ayr on a job well done.

“In addition to the great crowd, we also had increased media interest, and had the Channel 4 racing team here, two BBC Television crews, a team from Scottish Television, BBC radio news and sports reporters, local radio journalists and an army of writers and photographers from all the leading newspapers in the UK and Ireland.

”The Ayrshire economy will have had a huge spin-off running well into seven figures, with local hotels, bars, restaurants, taxi operators and shops all benefiting.”

www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk

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Elite Ayrshire Business Circle debates Alistair Darling’s first Budget

By: Murdoch MacDonald

THE next breakfast meeting of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle will take place at 8.30am on Friday 14 March 2008.


It will be an up-to-the-minute and extremely topical symposium on the implications of Alistair Darling’s first Budget, presented by Andrew Sinclair (pictured below) of Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants.


Budget Day is just two days earlier on Wednesday 12 March, so Andrew’s analysis of what promises to be the most interesting Budget for some time will be literally hot from the press.

The meeting will be held in the Board Room of the Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centre, Alloway Street in Ayr, and Managing Partner Willie Mackie (pictured below) will also briefly enlighten members about the current economic situation in general. (Credit crunch? What credit crunch?).


Sustenance and refreshment will be provided in the form of the Clydesdale’s unbeatable bacon butties, and ample tea and coffee will be on tap to keep intellects at full throttle.

The meeting is scheduled to end at 10am.

Guests of honour include John Scott, MSP for Ayr, South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan and South Ayrshire Council deputy leader Margaret Toner.

The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle is now on Facebook. Visit:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10685231500

Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants
3 Wellington Square
Ayr KA7 1EN
Ayrshire, Scotland

Contact: Andrew Sinclair
Tel: 01292 288999
Fax: 01292 272150
E-mail: andrew@sinclairscott.com
Web: www.sinclairscott.com

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Derek Richardson joins MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers

THE Directors of MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers are delighted to announce that Derek Richardson (pictured below) has joined the company as an Account Executive with effect from Monday 25 February 2008. Derek brings with him a wealth of experience, and is a well respected figure within the broking community.


[CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

MacKay’s are in fact welcoming Derek back to Ayr, where he was based a number of years ago. Derek retains a strong connection with the area, and he is looking forward to getting back into the local community to meet old and new faces.

Derek is particularly experienced in the construction industry, and MacKay’s are delighted to have secured his services.

MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers
38 Miller Road
Ayr KA7 2AY

Contact: David MacKay
Tel: 01292 611028
Fax: 01292 611179
E-mail: d.mackay@mackaycorporate-brokers.com
Web: http://www.mackaycorporate-brokers.com/

Web links:

OpenPress I-Newswire PR-GB FreePress

Latest news from Fame Publicity Services: CLICK HERE

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Western House Hotel named as Wedding Hotel of the Year

By: Murdoch MacDonald

AN Ayr hotel has scooped a hotel industry Oscar for the second year in a row - less than three years after opening!

Western House Hotel at Ayr Racecourse has been voted Scottish Wedding Hotel Of The Year 2008 at the prestigious Scottish Hotels Of The Year Awards held at Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh on Sunday evening.


[Picture shows: Western House Hotel Conferencing and Banqueting Manager Jane McRoberts, left, and Wedding Co-ordinator Jean Kerr with the Wedding Hotel of the Year Award. CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

The four-star hotel was chosen by a panel of more than 20 judges including representatives from leading Scottish magazines, VisitScotland and the Scottish Press. More than 500 Scottish hotel industry professionals attended the event.

Now in their 5th year, the Scottish Hotel of the Year awards is the largest event of the year and is hailed as the ‘Oscars’ of the Scottish hotel industry. The event was hosted by BBC presenter Sally Magnusson and attended by guest of honour Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP. The evening featured a surprise performance from Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus.

Designed to encourage, recognise and reward excellence in hotels and staff in Scotland, the Scottish Hotels of the Year awards are administered by Scottish hotel review website HotelReviewScotland.com (HRS).

Nominations are made by consumers, industry and HRS reviewers. Final award winners are selected by a proportional combination of online public votes, an Awards Panel made up of well-known industry experts and critics, and finally, a four-strong panel of Award Judges, including renowned food writer Wendy Barrie. The 2008 awards attracted votes from over 20,000 people worldwide.


William Gorol (pictured above), General Manager of Ayr Racecourse, owners of the Western House Hotel, was naturally proud of the award, and said: “The success is down to having a great team from our wedding co-ordinator through to the hotel management and chefs, restaurant staff and bar staff.

“I was fortunate enough to be here when Western House Hotel opened, and was given the task of hand picking my staff and I can’t be happier with what we have achieved in so short a period of time.”

Chairman of the Scottish Hotel of the Year awards Gary McLean remarked: “We are delighted to award Western House Hotel with a Wedding Hotel of the Year – Large for their consistent excellence and innovation in the dynamic and demanding weddings market. We are especially delighted to have awarded Western House Hotel’s Jean Kerr with a Special Commendation – Wedding Coordinator for her dedication to excellence.”


In 2007 Western House held more than 150 weddings, and that figure looks certain to be topped this year. Last October Western House also won a coveted VisitScotland Thistle Award for Customer Care – Service Accommodation.

The 49-bedroom destination was formerly the meeting place and offices of the Western Meeting Club, owners of Ayr Racecourse until 2003. It opened as a hotel on 3 June 2005.

Visit the Western House Hotel website: CLICK HERE

And the Ayr Racecourse website: CLICK HERE

Ayrshire Scotland Business News....
- where Ayrshire business news breaks first!
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Donald Kay offers a taste of Rabbie Burns over breakfast

By: Murdoch MacDonald

AYRSHIRE tourism businesses are working together to offer visitors a unique Rabbie Burns experience.

Ayr’s Burnside Guest House and Donald Kay of Walkabout wi’ Rabbie Tours have joined forces to offer visitors a taste of the national bard over a Burns Breakfast.


[Picture shows Donald Kay as Rabbie Burns with Liz Drysdale, owner of The Burnside Guest House.]

Donald Kay, in his guise as Rabbie Burns, will join guests of The Burnside at breakfast time to give a potted history of Burns’s short but eventful life and recite a selection of his poetry including “Tam O'Shanter”.


Guests of the four-star guest house will be treated to a feast of porridge with whisky and cream, a traditional full Scottish breakfast with haggis and black bread, followed by fruit, cheese and oatcakes.

They will then have the opportunity to join “Rabbie” on a visit around Burns country on his walk-about tour including a visit to Burns Cottage and Museum, Burns Memorial, Alloway Kirk and Brig o’ Doon which plays a vital role in his most famous Tam O’Shanter poem. Guests will also be given the opportunity to enjoy a session of whisky tasting.

The Burns Breakfast is supported by Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire which is encouraging businesses to collaborate to develop new Burns-related products.

Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire tourism team leader Lynne Pringle said: “Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire is supporting tourism businesses to ensure that they capitalise on the legacy of Burns through innovation and collaboration. Earlier this year, we held workshops to encourage businesses to work together to develop new Burns tourism products, and this is an excellent example of this in action.

“Tourism is a growing industry in Ayrshire, worth £330 million to the economy and we are committed to working with the sector to develop its skills, innovation, products and destinations.”

Liz Drysdale, owner of The Burnside Guest House, said: “You’ve heard of the Burns Supper, now visitors can enjoy the Burns Breakfast. Burnside Guest House offers this experience as a memorable way to be introduced to the works and wonder of our national bard, and the breakfast is informal, entertaining and suitable for all ages.

“I really want to provide people with an introduction to the life of Burns, to encourage them to visit Burns country, and to find out more about this remarkable person. The Burns breakfast is a novel idea, and seemed a fun way of doing just that. We can now offer this new and unique experience to visitors throughout the year.”

Donald Kay, who has been awarded Entrepreneur of the Year for Ayrshire, added: “The Burns Breakfast is an excellent way for tourists to spend some time with Rabbie in the land of Burns, and learn about his life and poetry. Working with The Burnside Guest House has increased the enjoyment of the Walkabout wi’ Rabbie Tours experience, and we hope to further develop our collaboration."

Donald Kay
Walk About Auld Ayr Town
116 Russell Drive
Wallacetown
Ayr KA8 8JN
Scotland

Telephone: 00 44 (0)1292 287765
Mobile 07867 510 165
E-mail: donald@walkaboutayr.com
Website: www.walkaboutayr.com

For more information about Burns Breakfast at the Burnside CLICK HERE

About Scottish Enterprise

Scottish Enterprise is the main economic development agency for Scotland covering 93% of the population from Grampian to the Borders. The Scottish Enterprise Network consists of Scottish Enterprise and 12 Local Enterprise Companies. Working in partnership with the private and public sectors the Network aims to build more and better businesses, to develop the skills and knowledge of Scottish people, and to encourage innovation to make Scottish business internationally competitive. Further information on Scottish Enterprise is available at www.scottish-enterprise.com

Tourism

Scottish Enterprise supports the Scottish tourist industry by helping businesses offer a world-class service to visitors. It offers a wide range of business development services in areas vital to the industry. These include e-business, skills development, collaboration, innovation and new product and service development. It is also involved in supporting the development of the tourism infrastructure through visitor attractions, countryside facilities and improvements in public areas such as town centres.

Ayrshire sausage kings Belcher Food Products
serve up sizzling profits

By: Murdoch MacDonald

THE MAN nicknamed Scotland’s sausage king has boosted his Prestwick firm Belcher Food Products’ annual profits by a massive 123 per cent.


Ephraim Belcher's return last year to hands-on management of the sausage business he founded in the 1960s has paid off with an increase in pre-tax profits from £802,000 to £1.8 million.

Although the Ayrshire company Belcher Food Products saw a 20% fall in turnover to £21.7m, which the company attributed to factors ranging from a restructuring of the management team to loss of low margin business, gross profit margins rose from 19% in 2006 to 23% in 2007.

But the company has still to return to the success of 2004, when it recorded profits of £4m.

The firm cited a series of cost reviews that led to a 23% drop in operating expenses as a driver of its success.

“None of the costs savings has been detrimental to the quality of the product produced by the company,” Belcher Food Products said in a statement.

Belcher’s return to the front-line followed a restructuring at the Prestwick-based company in March 2006 that saw the departure of his sole boardroom colleague, sales and marketing director Neil Pearson, who was replaced by William Pettigrew. Belcher and Pettigrew shared emoluments of £135,186 over the year, down from £174,234 shared by the directors the year before.

Ephraim Belcher is now the sole shareholder of the private company.

Mr Belcher, 64, started out with a butcher’s shop at Tam’s Brig in Ayr, back in the late 1960s.

Some claimed he was mad to think about expanding into factory meat processing.

But Belcher Food Products became a major supplier of frozen sausages to UK supermarkets, employing 160 people.

The firm also opened a £14 million production plant to supply cooked burgers and sausages to pubs and restaurants.

Flamboyant Mr Belcher regularly features on rich lists of Scotland’s top 10 earners.


And in 2003 he bought Cloncaird Castle (pictured above) in the countryside between Kirkmichael and Straiton.

The impressive castle boasts five reception rooms, a billiard room, 14 bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

It has 90 acres of land, fishing rights for a stretch of the River Girvan, two cottages and a stable block with a house.

Mr Belcher has gifted thousands of pounds to charity, and has also made sizeable donations to the Conservative Party.

He is regarded as a shrewd businessmen who won’t borrow from banks if he can help it.

Investments should be made out of profits rather than bank loans, he believes. And he isn’t impressed by those who set out to get rich quick.

Mr Belcher has been quoted as saying: “A business is for life. It is not about making a fast buck.”

Glenburn Food Products Ltd
Glenburn Road
Prestwick
Ayrshire
KA9 2NS
Scotland

Telephone: 01292 479451
Fax: 01292 671097

Elite Ayrshire Business Circle presents
“An Audience with Rabbie Burns”

THE next meeting of The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle will be a Burns-related lunch, to be held at Fouters Restaurant in Ayr at 12.30 for 1pm on Friday 18 January 2008.


The guest of honour will be the Bard himself, Rabbie Burns (pictured above) who will be giving his no doubt trenchant views on current business and political topics in Ayrshire particularly and in Scotland generally.

After a traditional Scottish luncheon devised and presented by Fouters manager and head chef George Ramage, Elite Ayrshire Business Circle members will have the opportunity to discuss with our national poet matters of mutual interest, including no doubt how well we are currently marketing brand Ayrshire, and how we might improve our performance in the future, especially in view of both Homecoming Scotland and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Burns in 2009.

New members will be particularly welcome at what is expected to be an enjoyable and memorable event.

THE ELITE AYRSHIRE BUSINESS CIRCLE

The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle is a newly formed association of some of the top companies in Ayrshire.

Its purpose is to publicise its members, and to celebrate and promote the rich diversity of industry, commerce and business services available within the county boundaries of Ayrshire.

Members include the Clydesdale Bank, Ayr Racecourse and the Western House Hotel, and member company activities include building and construction, architectural practice, estate agency and land management, chartered accountancy, insurance broking, legal services, golf club management, marketing services and brand creation, web design and public relations consultancy.

The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle runs its own online news magazine, which can be found at http://www.ayrshirebusinessnews.com

As well as regularly updated illustrated articles about member companies, Ayrshire Business News also features rolling news, business and sports headlines, and its own online department store.

For further information about The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle and to apply for membership, e-mail eliteayrshire@gmail.com

Ayrshire architects open branch office on East Coast of Scotland

THE Ayrshire firm of architects Lawrence McPherson Associates has opened a new branch office on the east coast of Scotland in a historic former mill building at Eskmills, Musselburgh.


[Picture: Scott Allan who is heading
up LMA’s new east coast office.]

Founded in 1994, Lawrence McPherson Associates has grown significantly in recent years with an existing staff of 17 people in their Ayr office.

Partner Euan Lawrence commented: “The partners and staff are delighted to be opening our Eskmills office, which is required to satisfy our existing and projected workloads. The Eskmills office will be headed by Scott Allan who lives locally in East Lothian and has extensive experience of the Edinburgh and Lothian development sector.”


[Picture shows: LMA partners Stephen McGhee,
Euan Lawrence (centre) and Stuart McPherson.]

Originally based at Beresford Court in Ayr, Lawrence McPherson Associates is currently based in the former Salvation Army Citadel building in New Road, which has been internally redesigned to provide a high quality design studio.

Current projects for the firm include hotel and restaurant developments throughout Scotland, several large housing developments throughout central Scotland for both national housebuilding companies and housing associations, together with several important healthcare projects including the masterplan for the new Irvine Community Hospital.

Euan added: “Within Ayrshire we are delighted to be working on private residential projects with major companies such as Stewart Milne Holdings, Dickie & Moore, Dawn Homes and Dickie Homes, and on social housing projects with Ayrshire Housing, Shire Housing and Atrium Homes.

“We also enjoy a significant healthcare workload with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and an extensive hotel and restaurant development programme with Whitbread plc. Our expansion to the east coast has been built on our success in Ayrshire, and we look forward to continuing to grow both offices.”

Projects and further information can be viewed on the firm’s new web site at www.lawrencemcphersonarchitects.co.uk

Ayr bakery does the salsa and gets its just desserts

AN AYR bakery has become the first company in South Ayrshire to gain a major new food standards award.

The Dessert Depot at the Green Street Lane Business Park has received approval to the SALSA standard (Safe and Local Supplier Approval).


[Picture shows the two directors of The Dessert Depot:
Frances Barron (left) and Ellen McPherson.]

Dessert Depot managing director Frances Barron said: “The team at the Dessert Depot are proud and delighted with the achievement of SALSA.

“This approval recognizes our commitment to quality, and provides our customers and potential customers with the knowledge and peace of mind that they are sourcing products from a company where food safety and hygiene are tightly controlled by a quality management system and are of the highest priority.

“As a marketing tool SALSA is invaluable, and will make our company visible to and give us access to a wider market including national foodservice companies.”

The SALSA, or Safe and Local Supplier Approval, scheme has been developed to help local and regional food and drink producers improve their businesses and supply their products to national and regional buyers who have introduced their own local sourcing initiatives.

The principal criteria of the standard are product safety, legality and quality.

SALSA is a joint venture between four main trade associations representing the UK food chain: the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the British Hospitality Association (BHA), the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the National Farmers Union (NFU).

The scheme was set up by the trade associations in recognition that, in many instances, smaller companies were finding currently recognised industry quality assurance standards overly expensive or having disproportionate requirements.

The need for the development of this scheme has been highlighted by an increasing drive for locally sourced food, particularly from foodservice companies and some supermarkets.

Sisters Frances Barron and Ellen McPherson, originally from Drongan, started the Dessert Depot from scratch. They leased an industrial unit, fitted it out using their own savings and a small loan from the bank, and opened for business on 3 January 2003.

At the Dessert Depot they make a range of handmade desserts, patisserie and artisan traybakes. Their traybakes are made from traditional recipes with a contemporary twist.

They also use recipes that their mother passed on to them. She was the main inspiration for them to start their own business. Sadly she died in February 2002, and did not live to see her two daughters gain success.

In four years the two sisters have built up their business from nothing. Their sales figures have consistently doubled every year, and this year will hit £500,000.

Frances and Ellen started off selling their products to coffee shops, delis and hotels. Their aim was always to build a sustainable business with an infrastructure that would support them as they moved forward and grew their business.

They now have three distributors, and Dessert Depot products can be found in establishments from the Highlands to the south of England and also in Ireland.

Three years ago they took the lease of the empty unit next door, which doubled their floor space and made room for new much needed packaging machinery, greater oven capacity and a walk-in chill.

And in August this year, due to the ever increasing demand for their products, they expanded for the second time by acquiring the lease of a third unit where they are now concentrating their shipping and packing activities. This expansion was supported and part funded by a Small Business Improvement loan provided by South Ayrshire Council.

The Dessert Depot Ltd
Unit 11
Green Street Lane Business Park
Ayr KA8 8BE

Telephone: 01292 285566
Fax: 01292 288842

E-mail: CLICK HERE

http://www.thedessertdepot.co.uk/

A Christmas message from John Scott, MSP for Ayr

“During 2008 we need to develop still further the Ayrshire brand”


“2007 has seen good progress made in developing the business and tourist sectors in Ayrshire, and I believe we are on the cusp of a time of new opportunity locally.

“During 2008 we need to develop still further the Ayrshire brand, capitalising on our skilled and flexible local workforce, our improving road, rail and air transport links and the growth opportunities that these present to both domestic companies and businesses seeking to relocate or make investments.

“Government at all levels, the enterprise agencies and other business groups all have a part to play in creating the right conditions for growth and development in Ayrshire, and that’s why it is essential that enterprise-friendly policies such as reducing business rates, cutting red tape and speeding up the planning process are given the priority they deserve.

“Above all, we must all work together to send out the message that Ayrshire is a good place to live and work, a part of Scotland that values and encourages economic development, and that as a county we are truly ‘open for business’.

"I am glad to have the opportunity to send this message to readers of Ayrshire Scotland Business News, and wish you all a happy and prosperous 2008."

[John Scott was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in March 2000, after winning the Ayr by-election for the Conservative Party. He was re-elected in May 2003 and again in May 2007.]

John Scott’s Scottish Parliament web page

www.AyrshireBusinessNews.com

Leading recruitment specialist Adecco’s
Ayr branch achieves another record year

WORLDWIDE recruitment organisation Adecco have achieved another record year at their branch in Ayr.


[Adecco Ayr branch manager Elana Chilton (left) with recruitment consultants Chris Arkley and Karen Butcher.]

Adecco Ayr has built upon its success since it opened in September 2004.

Now based at 3 Wellington Square Adecco has continued to grow, and now has three experienced recruitment consultants working within the Ayrshire market.

Karen Butcher and Chris Arkley now complete the team.

Adecco Ayr branch manager Elana Chilton says: “Having been awarded Adecco Scottish Branch of the Year in 2006, we are keen to capitalise on our success.

“We have grown our market share substantially in 2007, with a real focus on permanent recruitment.

“We have placed a variety of candidates this year in both local and multinational clients throughout Ayrshire, ranging from administrators to engineers.

“Adecco Ayr is fully committed to providing both the candidate and the client with a fantastic experience which results in a happy customer and repeat business.

“We also specialise in temporary recruitment, and provide staff within all disciplines, including catering, production, sales and finance. We are continuing to grow our network and services by adopting an innovative approach to the ever changing requirements of our clients.”

Adecco is the world leader in human resource solutions, with a comprehensive service offering that includes temporary and interim staffing, outsourcing, permanent recruitment, outplacement and career services, training and consulting.

With 6,600 offices in 70 countries and territories, they claim to be perfectly placed to support their vast client base – from local business partners to large global clients.

3 Wellington Square
Ayr
KA7 1EN
Tel:01292 292943
Fax:01292 292944
http://www.adecco.co.uk/ayr

Clydesdale announces further expansion
of business banking team in Ayrshire

WILLIE MACKIE, managing partner of Clydesdale Bank’s Financial Solutions Centre in Ayr, has announced two senior appointments to further augment his Commercial and Agricultural Banking teams.


[Picture shows, left to right, new managerial appointees Jennifer Craig and David Kennedy with Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centre managing partner Willie Mackie.]

David Kennedy (43) from Troon joins has been appointed as senior partner, Corporate and Commercial Banking.

Reporting directly to Willie Mackie, David will be responsible for managing the team of Commercial Business partners who are all based in Ayrshire.

David has over 20 years experience with Clydesdale Bank, having held various senior management roles within Business Banking, most recently as a credit executive within the Bank’s central credit team.

David is already well known in Ayrshire, being a member of Royal Troon Golf Club.

Jennifer Craig (27) from Blackwood, South Lanarkshire joins the team as Asset Finance partner supporting the Agricultural, Commercial and Private Banking teams.

Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role, where she will be looking to expand the Clydesdale Bank’s hire purchase, leasing and contract hire business across Ayrshire.

Willie Mackie said: “These latest appointments represent a further significant step in the expansion of our regional team here in Ayrshire. The addition of such experienced managers will add further momentum to the delivery of our Integrated Financial Services proposition.”

Clydesdale Bank plc is a subsidiary of the National Australia Bank Group of companies, an international financial services organisation that provides a comprehensive and integrated range of financial products and services through its group of banks. NAB is one of the world's top 30 financial services companies, and as at 30 September 2005 had total assets of £180 billion. NAB serves 7.7 million banking customers and over 2.3 million wealth management customers. Globally, the National is organised around regional businesses in Australia, Asia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. These regions include the retail bank brands, National Australia Bank in Australia, the Bank of New Zealand, and the Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale Bank in the UK.

Clydesdale Bank PLC in Glasgow became a member of National Australia Bank Group in 1987, with Yorkshire Bank in Leeds joining the Group in 1990.

Clydesdale Bank was established in 1838 in Glasgow and has a proud history of innovation and support for Scottish industry and communities. With over 150 retail branches and a network of Financial Solutions Centres, Clydesdale is one of Scotland's largest banks. Clydesdale is currently expanding its operations into the South of England with its innovative Financial Solutions Centres, offering customers a highly integrated business and private banking service.

www.cbonline.co.uk

www.nabgroup.com

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Allison Lightbody Waddell Chartered Surveyors
open branch office in Ayr

AS part of their continuing expansion programme, Glasgow-based chartered surveyors Allison Lightbody Waddell have opened new offices in Ayr.


The office is situated at Falcon House in Barns Street, and will be managed by associate director Anthony Zdanowicz BSc MRICS (pictured above).

Born in Irvine, Anthony was educated at Kilwinning Academy and the University of Paisley, where he gained a BSc degree in Real Estate Management. He has worked as a chartered surveyor for seven years, specialising in commercial property.

Anthony said: “I am looking forward to the challenge of making a significant contribution to the expansion in Ayrshire of a dynamic firm like Allison Lightbody Waddell.”


[Picture shows: Anthony Zdanowicz, second from right, with ALW Surveyors directors, left to right, Graham Waddell, David Allison and Sandy Lightbody. Click on image to view full-size version.]

Director Graham Waddell said: “At Allison Lightbody Waddell we pride ourselves on a close director-led service, valued by an established clientele and an increasing number of new clients. The underlying philosophy, shared by everyone at the firm, is to add value to the client at every opportunity, with a strong desire to extend this successful business concept geographically.

“With an increasing amount of work being undertaken in Ayrshire, partly helped by the M77 upgrade and relative ease of access to their head office at Glasgow, it was a logical move, and it was felt very strongly that for an Ayrshire operation to be a complete success it had to be firmly based in the centre of the principle county town of Ayr.

“Anthony will be able to significantly increase the existing business that Allison Lightbody Waddell conducts in Ayrshire, and help to make the firm a significant player in the area. He has a strong track record, having practised with a major firm in the area and has developed an excellent network of existing clients, being very much Ayrshire born and bred. As well as excellent business contacts and an in-depth knowledge of the Ayrshire property market, he has an intuitive understanding and empathy about what makes Ayrshire tick.”

Allison Lightbody Waddell advise and act for clients throughout the whole commercial property ownership experience, from initial acquisition to asset management, tenant matters, lettings, rent reviews, lease renewals and ultimate asset disposal.

For further information telephone 01292 430313 or visit www.alwsurveyors.co.uk

Ayr retailers win awards for best Christmas shop window displays

SOUTH Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan has presented prizes to the winners of the Best Dressed Christmas Window in Ayr Independent Retailer and the winner of the Multiple Retailer section.

Provost Winifred Sloan said: “I would like to congratulate the staff of all the shops in Ayr who went to a lot of effort and spent time decorating their premises. Choosing the winners was a very difficult, although enjoyable task. I was delighted to present the trophies to the winners and runners-up, and hope that they inspire others to help make Ayr town centre colourful and full of festive fun at this special time of year.”

Richard Devine, A Picken & Sons Butchers won the trophy for Independent Retailer and Wendy Russell, World of Art was awarded the runner-up trophy.

The Kyle Centre in Ayr won the trophy the Multiple Trader class and it was presented to Dave Rose, Kyle Centre manager. Elaine Connell, manageress of Henderson’s was awarded the runner-up trophy.

In addition to the trophies, the winners will receive two patrons tickets for the 2008 Ayr Flower Show that were donated by the organisers of the Show. The winners will also receive tickets from the Council to see the pantomime at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr.

The competition was supported by Ayr and Prestwick Lions, Ayr Retailers Committee, Ayr Rotary Club, Ayr Chamber of Commerce, Ayr Guildry and Ayr Flower Show.


Pictured outside A Picken & Sons Butchers who won Best Dressed Christmas Window Display Independent Trader 2007 are (left to right): John Walker, chairman of Ayr Flower Show; Provost Winifred Sloan; A Picken & Sons Butchers manager Richard Devine; John Kean, Ayr Rotary; and Stuart Hudson, Ayr and Prestwick Lions.


Pictured inside the World of Art who were runners-up in the Best Dressed Christmas Window Display Independent Trader 2007 are (left to right): John Kean, Ayr Rotary Club; Wendy Russell, World of Art; Provost Winifred Sloan; and John Walker, chairman of Ayr Flower Show.


Pictured in Ayr Kyle Centre, winner of the trophy for the Multiple Trader class of the Best Dressed Christmas Window Display 2007 are (left to right): John Walker, chairman of Ayr Flower Show; Provost Winifred Sloan; Dave Rose, manager of the Kyle Centre; Stuart Hudson, Ayr and Prestwick Lions; and Jim Young, Ayr and Prestwick Lions.


Pictured outside Hendersons’ are (left to right): John Walker, chairman of Ayr Flower Show; Provost Winifred Sloan; Hendersons’ manageress Elaine Connell; Stuart Hudson, Ayr and Prestwick Lions; and Jim Young, Ayr and Prestwick Lions.

Fouters Restaurant in Ayr celebrates 30 years of fine dining

DESCRIBED on its website as “the small restaurant with the big reputation”, the ever popular Fouters in Ayr’s Academy Street, off the Sandgate, is celebrating its 30th anniversary of fine dining this year.


Outwardly, nothing much has changed. Located in an 18th century converted bank vault down off street level, the stone floors, uncomplicated décor and sense of subterranean calm make it a rather serene and familiar dining venue for its numerous regular clientele.


But new furnishings and fittings and a relatively new man at the helm have given the place an extra buzz and excitement.

George Ramage (45) took over earlier this year from Brian and Odette Murphy, and looks set to carry the famous restaurant on to new heights of achievement and popularity.


George, originally from Greenock, but who now lives in Troon with his partner of ten years Fiona, already boasts a distinguished CV in the catering industry.

Trained at the Gleneagles Hotel, he continued his career at Malin Court and several country house hotels in England before being appointed head chef at Auchrannie House Hotel on the Isle of Arran, where he stayed 10 years before moving to the Bank restaurant in Prestwick.


Insistent upon using fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers wherever possible, George continues a long tradition at Fouters of specialising in a cuisine that is essentially a blend of classical French and Scottish but with an original twist.

One of his favourite signature dishes is roast rack of new season local lamb with pine nut, garlic and herb crust accompanied by honey roast root vegetables and redcurrant and thyme jus.


Asked what his ambitions for Fouters is, George replied: “I want Fouters to be not only a special occasion restaurant as it has perhaps tended to have been in the past, but somewhere for everyone to come, on any occasion.”

Prices remain eminently reasonable at this fine dining venue that has already achieved success, but whose best days are undoubtedly yet to come.

For more information telephone 01292 261391 e-mail chef@fouters.co.uk or visit www.fouters.co.uk

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Gaiety Theatre in Ayr to close "temporarily"

THE stage and auditorium areas of Ayr Gaiety Theatre will be "temporarily" closed from 31 March next year, according to a statement from South Ayrshire Council today.


The theatre will be examined, and a report compiled detailing any building work or necessary improvements required in order to meet modern operating demands and health and safety standards.

South Ayrshire Council says that the Gaiety Theatre celebrated its centenary in 2002 and, like many buildings of its age, has to be constantly maintained and monitored to ensure that it is in good working order.

The Council has commissioned CRPG (a specialist company in updating and renovating threatres). In order to carry out an examination of the theatre and to produce an accurate report, access to all areas of the auditorium and stage areas will be required.

South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Carrier for Community Services, Councillor Margaret Toner said: “The Gaiety Theatre is a great asset for Ayr and South Ayrshire, but like many older buildings, it requires high maintenance. The report that has been commissioned will let us know the extent of any work that should or could be carried out to look after the building and maintain it to the proper standards.

“Initially the stage and audience area will be examined, and this will mean that the theatre will be closed. Popplewells Café Bar and the Box Office will remain open while the examination of the theatre takes place, and this will mean that the public can still use the facilities, and the staff can continue to work there.

“I am looking on the positive side that a temporary closure and some inconvenience now will eventually lead to better facilities that will benefit the artists who perform, the audiences and the staff. Ayr Town Hall has recently been refurbished, and many artists will be able to change venues and perform there while the Gaiety is temporarily closed.

“During the temporary closure Council staff will carry out consultation with the public to see if the way in which the Gaiety operates can be improved. The type of artists and performances that appear on the stage will be looked at to see if what is being produced meets what the public would really like to see. It is an ideal time to try and encourage younger people, and others who do not currently use the Gaiety’s facilities, to let us know how they would like to see it evolve in the future.”

The Gaiety Theatre has a total of 584 seats on three separate levels that have been used by local people and visitors to the area for over 100 years. There have been a number of changes made to the theatre since it was built - including an extension, refurbishment, wheelchair access, infra-red sound system for the hearing impaired and a café bar and studio.

www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk