Town centre market plan
Town to get festive market to help boost trade
A Christmas market will throw open its doors in Ayr this year as part of a bid to boost festive trade.
Town centre restaurant ASK is to transform itself into a winter wonderland next month.
Twelve stalls which will operate on each weekend throughout December were all but sold out within hours of being advertised.
A Christmas market will throw open its doors in Ayr this year as part of a bid to boost festive trade.
Town centre restaurant ASK is to transform itself into a winter wonderland next month.
And the entrepreneur behind the idea reckons he’s cracked a yuletide winner.
Chris Steele runs the successful eaterie as part of his chain that includes Ayr’s Stage Door Cafe and Hollybush Inn.
A summer beer garden is to make way for packed Christmas stalls selling everything from festive keepsakes to mulled wines and hot waffles.
Chris, 38, said: “I hit on the idea after going to the Christmas market in Vienna last year.
“They go crazy for it out there and I’m not saying for a minute that we’re going to replicate that.
“But the town of Ayr deserves something like this and I reckon it will be very popular.
“We’ll have a range of stalls accompanied by hot food and drinks prepared by our chefs.”
Twelve stalls which will operate on each weekend throughout December were all but sold out within hours of being advertised.
ASK general manager, Jon Neil, said: “The response has been incredible and we only have limited spaces left now.
“The beer garden was a huge success when we launched it during the summer and this looks like being the same.
“It was a no brainer for us.” A snow machine will add to the festive feel at ASK, which celebrates its first anniversary this weekend.
Chris added: “People can expect the usual favourites like wreaths, candles, local cheeses and health and beauty products.
“And when we add in the hot chocolate, doughnuts, crepes and mulled wine, it should be a fantastic
I hit on the idea after going to the Christmas market in Vienna