An Ayrshire businessman has called for more support for small businesses as he prepares to close his store.
Scott Lambie, owner of Oakholme Interiors in Ayr, has said rising costs and the current economic climate have forced him to move the business back to online only.
The store on the town’s New Bridge Street had become popular since opening one year ago but he says the increasing cost of rent and a lack of support for small businesses have made it unviable to continue with a physical high street store.
Earlier this month, they announced plans to close the store from Friday, February 28.
Speaking to Ayrshire Live, Scott thanked his many customers but explained that the trading environment on the high street wasn’t enough to sustain the store.
Scott said: “The past year in Ayr town centre has been a lot quieter than I was originally expecting it to be. You don’t realise how busy Ayr actually is in the summer months until you see how quiet it is over the winter months; the place is like a ghost town.
“I think the problem is people just don’t have money to spare for non-essential items in the current economy meaning businesses like mine will struggle to survive.
“Most people who walk past my shop will have a look in the window but they won’t come in, for whatever reason they have. I think it must be a common problem for any small shop, unless people plan on buying something they won’t actually go into the shop itself.
“I have been told by quite a few people over the past year that I have some lovely pictures at great prices but they just don’t have the money to spare to buy them right now.
“At the end of the day there is only so much I can do at my end to keep prices as low as possible and maintain high quality.
“One of the biggest challenges for me in Ayr town centre is how poor the mobile phone signal is for making phone calls and trying to get a good internet signal.
“I don’t think that there is enough support given to independent high street businesses to prevent them from closing down their brick and mortar shops hence why Ayr and other Ayrshire town centres are in such a poor state. There is basically next to no help and support out there for new start or small businesses.
“The only help that does really exist is small business rate relief.
“What I think would really help is if the price to rent a shop was lowered then small businesses like mine would have a much higher chance of surviving. I feel this is the main reason why there are so many empty shops out there just now.
“Estate agents will tell a landlord they can get x amount per month rent for their property and then a lot of landlords won’t accept anything less than this amount.”
Oakholme Interiors was established in 2018 and is an independent Ayrshire business selling furniture, art and mirrors.
Last year, they opened their first physical shop after years of success online.
Scott plans to continue running the business online but is always on the lookout for opportunities to stock his artwork and photos in other Ayrshire businesses.
He added: “Oakholme Interiors will continue to trade online via the new website that was massively upgraded during the summer of 2024.
“Lots more products will be added to the website over the upcoming months especially lots more of my own local photography which people will be able to buy in various different options like canvas prints, framed prints and mounted prints and potentially gifts, as well, further down the line like mugs, cushions and jigsaws puzzles.
“My future plans for the business over the next few years is to maintain an online presence like I have done now for almost seven years.
“I will also be looking at shop alternatives like markets, pop up stands, exhibitions and trade shows etc so I can still have some sort of physical presence out there to promote my business.
“Another idea I have is to display some of my own photography on walls and in windows of other shops, cafes, restaurants and galleries and in return I would pay them a commission for any sales.
“On a similar note, I am also looking for stockists of my own photography as well, so if you have a shop and are interested in selling some of my photography then I would be more than happy to give people a discount on bulk orders of it.
“If anyone is interested in working with me on either of those two options above then please do get in touch with me via any of my business contact details.
“I may try a smaller shop in the future at some point but I doubt it will be any time soon unfortunately.”
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