An Ayr businessman admits he is excited for the future after opening his first store in the town centre. 

Scott Lambie opened the doors to Oakholme Interiors earlier this year, selling mirrors, wall art and canvas prints.

The shop had previously been used as a tattooist, hair salon and a kitchen studio, but had been lying empty since 2017. 

Scott admits he always wanted to run his own business, but his path to opening in Ayr was far from straightforward. 

He explained: "I started my business online nearly six years ago, mainly because I always wanted to work for myself and run a business and have a chain of shops.

"I was studying at college for half a year and then I decided that it wasn’t for me and that I would rather be earning money so I took the plunge and set up my first website.

"I started off my working life working in my uncle's furniture shop when I was just 15, that’s where I learned a lot of the knowledge that I use nowadays to run my own business.

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"After he sold up and took early retirement I then ended up in hospitality as well as running my own business online on the side."

Scott reveals he looked into market stalls in Glasgow, but eventually decided to open up in South Ayrshire. 

He said: "It was after spending so many years in hospitality that made me decide one day just to run my business full time and get a physical location.

"I was looking into getting a market stall in Glasgow but when I compared the price of that versus an entire shop in Ayr, I decided to go with a shop instead.

"I feel home interior items like mirrors, art and furniture are things that people want to come and see in person first before buying."

Scott has thanked the Ayr community for their support in his first few weeks of trading, and admits the interest has been beyond his expectations. 

He added: "I think it was maybe a little nervous for the first couple days in terms, but I am definitely excited for the times ahead.

"There’ll be a new website on the way as well around the start of May time, which hopefully will feature a new shopping cart system which will enable customers to buy direct.

"The response to my opening has definitely been great, most people walking by will stop and have a look in the window.

"There’s certainly been a lot of interest since I opened up my shop, especially with my canvas prints which are created by photos that I have taken myself from my travels across the UK.

"The local community have definitely been very supportive, lots of people are happy to see an empty shop be transformed and giving a new lease of life again."

Oakholme Interiors can be found at 17 New Bridge Street, or go to www.oakholmeinteriors.com.