Event Details

East Ayrshire’s business and community enterprise landscape is full of opportunity- - and this June, we’re bringing the support you need, directly to you.

Whether you’re running a business, starting one, growing one, or leading a community organisation that operates like an enterprise, this drop‑in event is your chance to connect with the right people, discover new resources, and explore what’s ahead for Kilmarnock Town Centre.

Date: Thursday 11 June

Location: WG13, 13 West George Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1DH.

Time: Drop by anytime between 12.30pm and 4pm

Closest parking: Kilmarnock Train Station or East George Street Car Park

Come along at a time that suits you to explore support services, speak directly with advisors, and learn more about future developments shaping Kilmarnock.

Who you can meet

First floor | Council services and support partners

Business Support: Meet Business Start‑Up and Growth Advisors, Business Gateway, and our Food and Tourism Officer to explore tailored support for new and growing enterprises.

Trading Standards: The team will be available to offer guidance on staying compliant with consumer protection laws.

Cleaner and Greener: Get advice on commercial waste services and sustainability options.

Employability: Learn how employability programmes can help your organisation recruit and grow.

Funding for Communities: Find out how to stay informed about funding streams for community‑focused groups.

Council for Voluntary Organisations: Access training, resources and support for voluntary and community‑led organisations.

Second floor | Business networks and local partners

Kilmarnock Business Association: A business‑led group championing economic growth, footfall and independent traders.

Ayrshire Chamber: Practical support, networking and advocacy for local organisations.

Federation of Small Businesses: Business support, networking and member services including legal, HR and financial guidance.

East Ayrshire Gift Card: Learn how this initiative strengthens the local economy by encouraging people to shop locally.

We Make Kilmarnock: Hear about ongoing and plans shaping the town’s development, share your thoughts and ideas.

Kilmarnock Town Centre Masterplan: An opportunity to hear an update about the Master Plan for Kilmarnock and have an input as part of the whole vision. Comments are welcome from anyone who lives, works, plays and visits Kilmarnock.

Help us tailor your experience

To help us prepare and ensure you get the most out of your visit, please take a moment to complete our short pre‑event survey.

High Street Hero Hugh helps drive jobs boost into Kilmarnock

A prominent businessman has lifted a top national award for the “profound” impact he has had championing and improving his community

Kilmarnock-based optician Peter Telfer has lifted the Scotland Loves Local Place Leader Award in recognition of his dedication in championing his hometown and the wider area.

He was surprised with the honour at a meeting of Kilmarnock Business Association, of which he is a former chair – with his success among a number for the region in the awards announced today (Friday).

Mr Telfer is the managing director of Urquhart Opticians, which has 13 branches, and a member of Kilmarnock Town Board.

Speaking after being presented with his prize by Scotland’s Towns Partnership Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie, he said: “I’m delighted.

“This is recognition of a lot of hard work by many businesses, people and organisations in Kilmarnock. It’s an award for the whole community.

“Kilmarnock is a town where we are making things happen and we have some great opportunities in front of us. It’s great to play a part in that, as so many others are.”

Mr Telfer’s award nomination described him as “an unwavering champion for the development and regeneration of Kilmarnock”.

“Peter has made a profound impact on the community. He embodies the qualities of a true place leader,” it stated.

“His dedication to Kilmarnock’s development, support for local businesses, leadership in regeneration projects and commitment to collaborative working have profoundly shaped the town’s landscape and future.

“He has not only driven tangible improvements in Kilmarnock but has inspired a sense of community spirit and collective purpose that will benefit the town for years to come.”

Key projects in which he has been involved include the promotion of the East Ayrshire Gift card and the Scotland Loves Local campaign encouraging people to choose local, as well as improvements to St Marnock’s Square and the creation of the town’s Countess and Robert Burns murals.

Alison Kelly, Partner at James Guthrie & Company LLP, was among those who congratulated Mr Telfer on his success, saying: “Peter Telfer is a remarkable leader and visionary whose dedication to both his business and the community of Kilmarnock is truly inspiring.

“His unwavering dedication to the betterment of Kilmarnock is a testament to his character and his deep-rooted love for the community.”

Kimberley Guthrie added: “Every town in Scotland needs a Peter Telfer. It’s fantastic to be able to recognise and reward all that he does for Kilmarnock and, indeed, the wider region

“People make places and are at the heart of transforming our towns into places that people want to work, visit, live and – ultimately – invest in.”

DATE 2023

High Street Hero Marion celebrates power of community with TV presenter

Region’s trailblazing gift card - and the tremendous difference people have made by choosing local - showcased as part of Scotland Loves Local campaign

Television presenter Sean Batty has been hearing from Scotland’s High Street Hero about the town she loves - and the community’s critical support.

Cumnock businesswoman Marion Gilliland highlighted the difference that people can make by backing businesses in their area as she flew the flag for Scotland Loves Local.

The Presents and Correct owner, who has dedicated 36 years to supporting her community, sat down with the STV weatherman at CentreStage in Kilmarnock as he learned about trailblazing work taking place locally to support people and businesses.

And that ranged from the dedication to make a difference shown by community champions such as Marion and the team at CentreStage to the life-improving and business boosting impact of initiatives such as the East Ayrshire Gift Card.

Marion, who was crowned as the nation’s High Street Hero at last year’s Scotland Loves Local Awards, met Sean as she received another accolade - a certificate from the Motor Neurone Disease Association for raising in excess of £26,000 by gift wrapping in her shop.

On the need for everyone to choose local, she said: “It’s 100% important. Without our customers we wouldn’t be here.

“We have to provide a good service to make them want to come, to stay in their community and spend their money. Even the likes of sports clubs need that support. If people support the businesses, we, in turn, can support them because there’s always someone looking for a raffle prize to raise funds.

“Money spent locally goes around in a circle, which makes high streets really important. In businesses such as ours, we also might be the only people someone speaks to in a day.”

Sean said: “The work that Marion and her team do is a powerful example of the difference people can make by getting behind local businesses - ensuring they not just survive, but thrive. It was great to meet her. The awards she has received are very well deserved.”

The TV personality was at CentreStage filming a special video in his role as an ambassador for Scotland Loves Local, the campaign encouraging people to build stronger communities by choosing local and getting behind people and organisations in their area.

Presents and Correct and CentreStage are both places which accept the East Ayrshire Gift Card - a way by which people can spend directly with businesses locally and lock more money into the region’s economy.

Spearheaded by East Ayrshire Council, it has been used by the authority to channel financial support to lower income households as well as being available for all to buy, including local businesses who have used them as staff rewards.

Iain Linton, the council’s cabinet member for the economy, said: “It’s important we give whatever support we can to keep our local economy going. One of the great things has been the gift card.

“During the coronavirus pandemic we gave gift cards to some of the neediest families in our communities. It worked well in terms of supporting the economy - because that money was spent locally - but it also gave dignity to those receiving the cards because there was no way of knowing where that had come from.

“We’ve gone from 80-odd local businesses registered to accept the card when we started in 2020 to more than 240. It’s proven to be very successful and the money is staying in East Ayrshire.”

Councillor Linton explained that every £1 spent with the gift card translated to £6 into the local economy because of the knock-on effect of people supporting local businesses.

Filming at CentreStage took place as polling commissioned by Scotland’s Towns Partnership - the organisation behind Scotland Loves Local - revealed a desire among people living in the region for businesses to use gift cards to better support each other.

Nine-in-10 (90%) of people in the South Scotland Scottish Parliament region, which covers East Ayrshire, agreed that when rewarding and incentivising staff, employers should use local gift card schemes to support local town centres and small businesses rather than national alternatives.

A similar number agreed that employers should do more to support local businesses in their area.