Let’s all have a Barr- tea

It is not very often a housing association gets praise for what it does.

But Jim Whiston, the Director of Ayrshire Housing, insists they are more than just a roof provider.

The agency has grown thanks to new- builds and taking on South Ayrshire Council and former ‘ Scottish Special’ stock.

Ayrshire Housing has helped the Barr co- op shop and tearoom.

Volunteers including Ayrshire Housing tenants have used a grant from the association to create the tearoom.

Tenant and board member Kenny George said: “Ayrshire Housing looks to help community initiatives such as this.

“It’s great to see the work of so many villagers in developing this cooperatively run shop and tearoom.

“I t v e r y mu c h complements the aims of the housing association as a community and tenant led organisation.”

The tearoom, seen here with volunteer Jo Muir, is now a popular stop- off for touring cyclists.