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For more than 30 years, Whitletts has been home to a sports complex with an emphasis on football. Its pitches have seen at least two generations of enthusiastic players experience the thrills, spills, ups, and downs of the planet’s favourite sport, and its gym has been used by those seeking to add muscle, lose weight, or rehabilitate from injury.

Having provided driver training for over three decades, Jim Mair has few rivals when it comes to experience and expertise in his field.
Jim’s company, Jim Mair Driver Training Limited, which he runs with his son Neil – who, like Jim, is an experienced Large Goods Vehicle (‘LGV’) instructor – operated for several years from premises in Kilmarnock but moved to Ayr in 2018 when the opportunity to buy a site which had been designed as a driver training centre came up for sale.

Kerr & Smith, the Cumnock-based Vauxhall commercial vehicle dealer, were kind enough to invite us to take one of their electric vans for a spin, so naturally we jumped at the chance.
The vehicle we drove was a Vauxhall Combo Electric, a small panel van with three seats, sliding side doors, and a 134 bhp electric motor mated to a 50 kWh battery.

Founded in 1876 by John Lockhart and originally based at premises in the town’s Wellington Square, Lockharts/Law is Ayr’s oldest surviving firm of solicitors.
The Lockhart family has always been represented at partner level throughout the firm’s existence, but that will cease to be the case when Peter Lockhart, a highly regarded criminal ligitation solicitor who has been a partner since 1980, retires in 2024.

Ayr is home to the only consultant-led private eye clinic in the west of Scotland: Ayrshire Eye Clinic.
Started in 2012 by Consultant Eye Surgeon Professor Sathish Srinivasan, Ayrshire Eye Clinic was originally based at Dalblair Road, Ayr. As those premises did not, however, offer the facility to conduct eye surgery onsite, the clinic purchased a former nursing home in the town’s Broomfield Road in 2017, thereafter transforming it into a bespoke eye clinic equipped with a full suite of state of the art diagnostic and surgical facilities before moving into it in 2019.

With winter fast approaching, many of us will be keeping a closer eye than usual on our energy bills, and with the cost of living crisis still very much a concern, reducing our heating costs remains a priority. But unless our homes are protected by efficient windows and doors, those bills are likely to escalate.
That’s where Ayrshire Trade Frames can help. Established in 2014 by James McCormack, it is a local, family owned business and Ayrshire’s leading supplier of quality windows, doors, conservatories and sunrooms. Victoria, James’ wife, also works in the company, as does their son, Kyle.

Situated in the historic market town of Cumnock, The Dumfries Arms Hotel has delighted locals and visitors for over 300 years. Once a coaching inn, it is now a contemporary boutique hotel with a recently refurbished ballroom and 26 elegant en-suite bedrooms, including the luxurious Lennox Suite, designed with honeymooners in mind.
When it comes to weddings, the rural location of this characterful hotel makes it the ideal choice. Perfect for both intimate ceremonies and grand celebrations, the hotel prides itself on its bespoke, personal service and attention to detail.

Corney and Barrow’s beautiful little wine shop, tucked away down the historic cobbles of Academy Street, is a welcome respite from the Christmas hustle and bustle – simply follow the glow of twinkling fairy lights, cross the threshold, and let one of their resident wine experts take care of you. Whether it be wine for your Christmas dinner, or the perfect gift for a work colleague, there is something for every occasion and every budget. They also have a fleet of iconic red vans delivering all over the UK, so why not relax and let them do the hard work for you!

This December, the door opens to an exquisite and unique new venue in the heart of Ayr: The Stravaig Restaurant, Bar & Function Room at the Kylestrome Hotel.
Having opened The Bistro Restaurant in Sandgate, Ayr, last year (already number one on Tripadvisor), owner David Storrie is delighted to bring life back to the extensive venue in Miller Road. “At Stravaig, we champion the finest seasonal Scottish produce, to create an exquisite and relaxed dining experience like no other.

With its eye-catching frontage and vast array of products, Cherry Soda has been a favourite with shoppers in Ayr town centre since it first opened its doors in 2007.
Such is its popularity, the boutique has again moved to bigger premises – its third home in Ayr Central Shopping Centre – and is now open for business at 15 Skye Square.