Pieroni’s fishmongers and a health food shop called Neet Wheat from the town were both winners within their particular categories at this year’s Scottish Independent Retail Awards.
Neet Wheat has been a fixture in Bridge Street for close to 14 years and took the award for Health and Lifestyle Retailer of the Year – although the woman who owns it had no idea that it was even in contention.
In an interview with the Daily Record, Yvonne Doolan stated that she only became aware upon receiving a phone call – which she initially believed to be a prank – and paid tribute to her customers:
“They’ve been great, we’ve got a great customer base that started when we were in the market, and they’ve come with us. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Shops in the town have the benefit of services like poster printing in Ayr that let them advertise their wares to local residents.
J Pieroni and Sons fishmongers, based in Peebles Street, was the other winner – claiming the Scottish Fishmonger of the Year award – and Jonathan Pieroni told the Daily Record that he was delighted to have overcome impressive competition to take the prize.
He also thanked the shop’s customers for the nomination and the staff for their excellent service.