Straiton villagers celebrate a year of running their own shop

Jan 8 2010 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

IT’S celebration time in a village whose residents saved vital facilities.

And Straiton folk raised glasses and cups to mark a year of running their own shop.

Villagers faced a crisis when the former owner closed a business that had become unviable for him.

But they rallied together and decided Straiton Stores was too important to lose.

Volunteers offered their services, and a Straiton Village Co-operative was set up.

Villagers joined the ‘club’ with a £10 membership fee.

And Ayr-based optician Ian Jordan gave them first year rent free in his former garage premises.

Co-operative treasurer Roy Morrison said: “We’re now at the stage where we need to pay staff.

“The shop is currently open 66 hours a week – all thanks to volunteers.

“And we can’t go on indefinitely trading on people’s goodwill.”

Roy himself is acting store manager, and Straiton Stores is offering a growing range of goods and services.

“We source as much as possible locally, from farms, estates, cake and confectionery makers.

“Fresh fruit and vegetables are collected twice a week by volunteers who go to the wholesaler in Girvan.”

Roy admits that grocery deliveries by the likes of Asda and Tesco have an effect on the village shop income.

But he said: “We’re so grateful to people who have supported our effort.

“And we hope even more will become regular customers during 2010.”

Straiton folk also showed their commitment to rural life by saving their public loo last year.

South Ayrshire Council refused to run it any longer.

But the community council stepped in to save an important facility for the village.