East Ayrshire’s high street heroes have been announced, with locals being recognised for their remarkable work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Janice Hendry and the team at Yipworld in Cumnock came close to being nominated as regional champion, being one of the two highly commended businesses (the other being Coffee Press, Kilmarnock) that lost out to regional winners, Allan & Sons Butchers, Stewarton.
The judges of the awards said: “Janice Hendry and the team at Yipworld in Cumnock noticed that some local families were really struggling during lockdown. They applied for funding and provided local children who had grown out of items like training shoes and clothes with new ones.
“Although they work with a lot of local families, they contacted the teachers at the schools for any families that may be in need but not known to them. Janice, Robert and all of the team have been true heroes.”
The awards, part of government-supported Scotland Loves Local campaign’s High Street Heroes Awards, sought to encourage people to shop locally to aid the response to the coronavirus pandemic and highlight the importance of local businesses.
Judges reviewed nominations sent in by members of the public and whittled them down to one regional champion, two highly commended, and the rest of the nominated businesses and people were all designated High Street Heroes. A full list of those nominated High Street Heroes follows at the bottom of this article.
Councillor Jim Roberts, Cabinet member for Economy and Infrastructure, East Ayrshire Council said: “[These] businesses represent a much wider pool of fantastic, resourceful and innovative business people throughout the area who really pulled together at a time which has been incredibly difficult for everyone.
“Like so many they made huge efforts, at considerable personal cost in time, energy and money, to make sure they provided exactly what so many of our businesses are so good at, excellent personal service.
“By shopping local, choosing to spend in small businesses we’re helping feed families, keep people in jobs and keep money circulating locally. It’s a win win situation if we all keep pulling together. Their contribution to our communities should not be underestimated.”
Full list of East Ayrshire High Street Heroes:
Alan Green, Royal Mail postman
Allan Brown & Team, Kilmarnock Railway Station Heritage Trust
Barry Whiteside, Captain Cone / Wynd Coffee Shop, Kilmarnock
Bryan Parker (community help during floods)
Claire Wylie, Stewarton Coronavirus Support Group
Craig & Fiona Robertson, Dunlop Post Office & Village Store
David Leggat, Kilmarnock (community volunteer and support)
David, Gillian and Lucy Gall, David @ Brownings, Galston Ayrshire
Dinner Ladies, Darvel
Donald McNaughton, DM Fruit Company, Kilmarnock
Elaine Stewart (community support)
Elizabeth Young & Staff, Forever Young, Kilmarnock
Gaela Hall, Doon Academy, Doon Valley
Heather McEwan of Cumnock, Create a Smile Scotland
Heather Montgomery, New Cumnock Food Hub
Iain Burgoyne, Scout Master, Pathead, New Cumnock
Ian Faulds, Faulds the Butcher, Kilmarnock
Imran (Sid) Akhtar, Best-One, Hurlford
Jane Goldie, Stalkers, Kilmarnock
John Cairns (community deliveries)
Kay Lopez, Brian Park, William Morrison, Andy Shaw, William Fegan (Hostel Support Workers)
Ken McCracken, Accountant (community service)
Margaret Lennox, Baker (cupcakes for carers)
Marion Gilliland, Gilliland Gifts, Cumnock
Morag Crichton, The Cup and Saucer, Stewarton
Morean Hamilton, The Thistle Bar & Jeely Piece Club
Moreen Baird, Langholm Farm, Symington
Natalie Carmichael (community service)
Norman Neilson, N & I Neilson Newsagents, Dunlop
Peace Childcare Ltd, Kilmarnock
Rachael McRoberts, The Jaggy Nettle, Sorn
Ryan McCall, McCall Heating & Plumbing Solutions, Kilmarnock
Sandy Hillan, Kilmarnock Local Coronavirus Support Network
Sharon Nicol, Volunteer, local community cafe
Stephen McGarrity, KP’s Fresh Fish, Kilmarnock
Bello Luca Coffee & Gift Shop, Kilmarnock
Create A Smile Scotland
Donsport Cumnock
Dunlop Post Office & Village Store
East Ayrshire Care Workers
Emma's Boutique, Cumnock
Fenwick Pharmacy
Field to Flower, Darvel
Flowers by Karen, Kilmarnock
Galos Peri Peri, Kilmarnock
Gauchalland East Tenants and Residents Association
Gilmartin's Bakery, Stewarton
HPS Hollywood Plumbing Services, Kilmarnock
Idle Hands Bakery, Dunlop
John Dawson Butchers Ltd, Cumnock
Keystore, Drongan
Lainshaw Lions Childcare, Stewarton
Patchwork Community Organisation, Kilmarnock
Staff of The Food Warehouse, Kilmarnock
Staff, Sainsbury’s Stewarton Store
Stewarton Coronavirus Support Group
Struther Farmhouse, Dunlop
Take a Bow Musical Theatre Company, Kilmarnock
The Espresso Kart, Kilmarnock
The Foundation Cafe [Recovery Enterprise Scotland]
The Sugar Cube, Stewarton
The Thistle, Hurlford
Townsley Butchers, Kilmarnock
UCAN-Learn.Work.Live, Kilmarnock
Your Home Store, Stewarton
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