Road closures may have made life more tricky in Galston for the past couple of months, but as the demolition of a dangerous building and the regeneration of surrounding buildings progress, local retailers are gearing up for a busy Christmas trade.
At a time when local shops all over the UK need more support than ever, the enthusiasm of traders in Galston is reflected in the bright displays, packed with unusual Christmas gifts, and the high standard of personal service and attention that make shopping in a small town such a pleasurable experience.
Proof that there’s no need to travel miles to big shopping centres, comes when you look around the streets of Galston.
Everything you might need to prepare for Christmas is here – from that special party outfit, jewellery or a new handbag, to a new hairstyle, presents for friends, floral decorations and sweeties for the kids’ stockings and even the Christmas Turkey and all the trimmings, are all available within a short distance from the car park in Bridge Street.
Kicking off Christmas in Galston, the Community Council staged its Christmas Market on 26th November. Kicking off Christmas in Galston, the Community Council staged its Christmas Market on 26th November.
Now it its 6th year, the Market had over 40 stalls under one large gazebo. With a raffle, hot dogs and teas, it’s a sociable afternoon, topped of course with a visit from Santa Clause himself.
Another date on the Christmas shopping calendar is 30 November, when Linda Findlay’s Look Again gift shop will be holding a late opening night with free wine and nibbles and 10% off all purchases.
It’s a great chance to pick up that special gift from their great selection of handbags, jewellery, scarves and greetings cards.
Lesley Kirk’s 2 La Rue Boutique, in Henrietta Street, has been open since 2009, and together with A M Christie’s in Titchfield Street provides a great choice of exclusive clothes, meaning shoppers on any budget can find something that you won’t see others wearing at that special Christmas party.
For an unusual and lasting gift, or just to provide something special for your home décor, Lotus Crystals sells an amazing range of crystals and geological minerals from around the globe, from pebbles to jewellery, quartz eggs to fossils and pendulums, it’s a treasure trove of exotic creations of Mother Nature
For those special Christmas floral arrangements, or a bouquet for a present, look no further than Amy O’Farrell’s Amy’s O’Florals, in her newly opened premises “down the lane” at 5a Wallace Street. Amy is running special Festive Workshops on Wednesday 29 November, Monday 4 and Wednesday 13 December at 7.00pm for both beginners and more advanced floral fans.
One of the first buildings to be regenerated under East Ayrshire Council’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme, is now home to The Candy Coated Café.
Owned and run by Lauren Clark, the successful sweetie and cake shop is now approaching its first anniversary. Stocking a large selection of old fashioned, retro and tuck shop sweets and cakes, the café also stocks a large selection of ice cream, desserts, sundaes and milkshakes. With lots of treats to fill those stockings, it’s worth a visit, and for those special functions, the Candy Cart and Pop Corn Cart are available to hire.
And when the shopping’s done, Galston offers a great selection of eateries, coffee shops and pubs.
Aroma’s Coffee Shop in Henrietta Street was opened by Kelsey Findlay six years ago and is a popular venue for a deli style meal, smooth Italian coffee and some delicious home baking. A warm welcome awaits those weary Christmas shoppers.
Of course this is just a small selection of the locally owned, family run businesses that are passionate about what they do in Galston and very grateful for your custom.
It may not be the obvious place to take your Christmas spending money, but it’s certainly worth a visit in the run up to the big day.
To find out more about the redevelopment of Galston, and for regular updates, click here
Shops
Look Again 21-23 Cross Street, KA4 8AA, 01563 829290 Gifts for all occasions. Bags, jewellery, greeting cards, gift vouchers. Late night opening Thursday 30 November 2017 with wine and nibbles and 10% off all purchases.
The Candy Coated Café 35 Bridge Street, KA4 8AE 01563 820220 Sweet cones, sweet bags, wedding favours, popcorn and candy cart hire. Deliveries available
2 La Rue 2 Henrietta Street, KA4 8HQ 01563 259665. Small friendly independent boutique with something different for everyone. Gift vouchers available.
AM Christie 1-3 Titchfield Street, KA4 8AW 01563 820638. A family owned, independent boutique established in 1961. Beautiful range of clothing for all occasions. Great brands from across the globe
Ayrshire Cancer Support 2 Titchfield Street, KA4 8AP 01563 829175
Wilma Scade Newsagent 10 Titchfield Street, KA4 8AP 01563 821389 We are the pickup and drop off point for the Galston Boy’s Brigade Christmas Card delivery.
Lifestyle Express 45 Henrietta Street, KA4 8HN 01563 820647 Friendly convenience store. Hot and cold food available.
Key Store 92 Titchfield Street, KA4 8AZ 01563 820130
The Wee Shop 31 Orchard Street, KA4 8EJ 01563 822263 See us on facebook
Tofs – The Original Factory Shop 3 Park Road, KA4 8EU 01563 829460 Big brands up to 70% off.
Lotus Crystals 1 Polwarth Street, KA4 8HG 01563 822211
Knitwear & Coffee Shop
Balmoral Knitwear 16 Church Lane, KA4 8HF 01563 820213. We pride ourselves in offering high quality garments at straight from the factory prices. We have been manufacturing garments at our Galston factory for over 100 years.
Restaurant, Coffee Shop, Café, Pubs
Mayflower 15 Cross Street, KA4 8AA 01563 822072 Delivery service available.
Marmaris 25 Bridge Street, KA4 8AE 01563 829433 Fast food delivered direct to your door. Order on-line at Just Eat.
Bucks Head 8-12 Bridge Street, KA4 8AE
The Golden Lion 6-8 Titchfield Street,KA4 8AP 01563 821718
The Burns Tavern 18-20 Titchfield Street, KA4 8AP 01563 821735
Standalane Tavern 94 Titchfield Street, KA4 8AZ 01563 820280
Taj Kitchen 3 Wallace Street, KA4 8HP 01563 821067 tajkitchenonline.co.uk Order on-line at Just Eat. Delivery available.
The Wee Train 22 Wallace Street, KA4 8HP 01563 821123 Christmas menu available from 1 December. Find us on Facebook
Peking House 23-25 Wallace Street, KA4 8HP 01563 822021 Deliveries available
The Principal Café 3 Brewland Street, KA4 8AQ 01563 822097 ivaitalia@hotmail.com A family run business serving Galston since 1919. Delicious fish and chips and a variety of freshly cooked food made to order. Deliveries available. Fifth generation Liam (Lucchesi) Mair thanks his customers for their continued support during the town regeneration.
Aroma 4 Henrietta Street, Galston KA4 8HQ 07747 771640 kelsey.findlay@hotmail.com Find us on Facebook. Aroma Coffee Shop. Fresh Italian Coffee and home baking. Deli style lunch menu.
Masons Arms 10-12 Henrietta Street, KA4 8HQ
The Maxwood Hotel 12 Maxwood Road, KA4 8JN 01563 821572 We offer an excellent selection of food, freshly made to order, using the finest ingredients from locally sourced suppliers
Loudoun Arms 5-7 Polwarth Street, KA4 8HG 01563 821555
Hair, beauty and wellbeing
The Beautique 19 Cross Street, KA4 8AA 01563 820772. Gift sets and vouchers available. Beauty, spray tans, nail bar
CC Hair 17 Cross Street, KA4 8AA 01563 822224 I would like to thank my clients for their patience and continued support during the disruption and road closure. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year.
Bliss 21 Cross Street, KA4 8AA 01563 822455 Beautician. Christmas gifts and gift vouchers available.
Mrs Jess 29 Bridge Street,KA4 8AE 01563 820585 Hairdresser/Hair Replacements/Beautician. Christmas and New Year appointments still available. We would like to wish our customers, old and new, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The Cutting Room Barber Shop 3A Wallace Street,KA4 8HP Drop in for an appointment
Signature Hair & Beauty 9 Wallace Street, KA4 8HP 01563 259147 Gift vouchers available. See our latest deals and competitions on Facebook
Hair by John Rankin 3 Polwarth Street, KA4 8HG 01563 821555 Book now for Christmas. Wishing all my customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Dan Druffs Barber Shop 14 Polwarth Street, KA4 8HG 01563 822349 Debbie would like to thank her customers for their support and wish them all a lovely Christmas.
Gwen’s 18 Polwarth Street, KA4 8HG 07738 850518 Gift vouchers available.
Looking Good 1 Standalane Street, KA4 8AY 01563 822614 Follow us on Facebook. We specialise in Kerasilk Novalash and high definition brows.
Valley Holistics 4 Polwarth Street, KA4 8HG 07548 488282 Hollistic treatments Find us on facebook.
Sun Bed Sisters 7 Station Road, KA4 8HS 01563 822259. 2 sunbeds available – Megasun lie-down bed and Collatan maxi twist standing. 100 minutes for £30 (valid for 4 months)
Florist
Amy’s O’Florals 5A Wallace Street, KA4 8HP. 01563 257080 Florist and Gifts. Weddings-funerals-local deliveries, flower arranging workshops for beginners and advanced.
Baker
David@Brownings, 13 Cross Street, KA4 8AA 01563 821327 Fresh cream gateaux and trifles – buffet food available. Orders now being taken for Christmas and New Year. Buffet Menu and price list available on request.
Butcher
Afton Glen Meats 8-16 Cross Street, KA4 8AL 01563 820343 Turkeys, Turkey Crowns and Steak Pies – orders now being taken for Christmas and New Year. Meat Packs available – see us on facebook for details
Optician
Lesley Dobbie, Dobbie Optometrists, 9 Bridge Street, Galston KA4 8AE 01563 821881 Your sight matters to us as much as it matters to you
Galston Community Development Trust
David Richmond, Galston Community Development Trust 16 Titchfield Street, Galston KA4 8AP 01563 257050 or 07771 606393
Pharmacy
RW McConnell & Son 4 Wallace Street, Galston KA4 8HP 01563 571066
Funeral Director
Thomas McKellar & Sons 8 Polwarth Street, Galston KA4 8HG 01563 624025. Family funeral directors since 1870