Our beautiful bid for town revival
Entrepreneurs demand more council help
A business duo set to revive one of Ayr’s most famous shops claim council chiefs are “suffocating” trade in the town.
Victoria Williamson and her husband Kevin are set to embark on the ambitious expansion of their Beau Beau clothing boutique.
Currently located in the town’s Miller Road, the business moves to the Sandgate next week, replacing the big William Bell Menswear unit which was abandoned years ago.
But the entrepreneurs insist a constant stream of red tape has turned their positive bid into a long running headache.
Victoria, a former Miss Scotland, revealed: “The lack of support from South Ayrshire Council has actually been quite startling.
“We have a town which is crying out for investment and it needs people like ourselves to try things.
“But you don’t get any kind of help – quite the opposite in fact.”
Victoria, who established Beau Beau more than two years ago, has been forced to look for bigger premises following the success of the business in the proms to cocktail wear market.
But she says tasks like bidding to sub- divide her unit have been turned into an administrative nightmare by the council.
“It has been hurd l e s everywhere we’ve turned and it makes you wonder if they want investment in the town,” said Victoria.
“I understand there are processes to follow but our council has done nothing to make this easy.”
Kevin, 47, said: “It’s the attitude of those who are supposedly there to help.
“We’re not even open yet and the first thing through the door was a rates demand.
“By re- opening this unit, we are bucking the trend and bringing new life into a key part of the town.
“I’ve driven by this place many times and looked in the window thinking... who on earth would take on a unit of that size?
“Now it’s us – but we’ve had no hint of assistance from a council who should be going out of their way to do so.”
He added: “You get nothing in life if you don’t take risks and we know this business works.
“We’re excited to reopen such a historic unit in the town and Victoria is going to make such a huge success of it.
“The only downside has been our negative experience with the council and it makes you wonder how many others would invest in this town given the chance.
“We have stuck with it because we’re determined and have confidence in what we’re doing, but not everyone will be the same.
“It just feels like they’re suffocating Ayr with their backward approach.”
The high- end boutique, which specialises in prom and evening wear, will feature an “exclusive” shopping experience for customers.
Victoria, 48, added: “Our social calendar in Ayr is fantastic and we have so many events now.
“We have customers coming from as far afield as Glasgow and Stranraer because they appreciate the service they get here.
“That is also good for the town of Ayr and means people are coming in to spend their money.
“It is independents that are the future of this town but they need the council’s support.”
Ayr SNP councillor, Siobhian Brown, stepped in to assist the duo after the problems with officials.
She said: “I was delighted to help – this is a great business which will prove a real asset to the Sandgate.
“There are plenty of positive things happening in Ayr and this is just one example.”