A HUSBAND and wife team are set to realise their bookshop dream as they prepare to open the doors to their new store in Ayr.
Fiona Clark Northcote and husband Ewan will throw open the doors to Flirtatious Fiction in Queens Court on the Sandgate at 10am on Saturday, June 20.
The new independent bookstore, which has taken over a building vacant since 2013, is specifically aimed at romance novel lovers, which Fiona says makes their business quite unique.
She said: "There's a whole community on TikTok obsessed with romance novels, and there are very few places in Scotland like us at all
"I have had every job under the sun, including working in care and pharmacy, and I always had a dream to open a bookshop
"Ewan is a silent partner in the business. He left work last year and will be my childcare, so there is really no better time.
"I am from Saltcoats but my granny was from Drongan and I spent my summers in Ayr, so it was a no brainer to open here."
Fiona hopes that she can bring something different to the town centre, which she hopes can make a comeback.
She explained: "It's heartbreaking what Ayr has become. It used to be bustling and everyone went there.
"So it's nice to be able to bring something different, and a reason for people to come into the town.
"This is our first time running a business, and everyone on the Sandgate has been so welcoming to us.
"I'm not from here originally so I was nervous about being a new business owner, but it's like a wee family.
"We've had great feedback ahead of opening, and we'd love for people just to open the door and come in."
To find out more, visit https://www.flirtatiousfiction.co.uk/.
Fiona hopes Flirtatious Fiction can be a space for everyone, but is specifically looking to provide a safe place for women.
She added: "A lot of this is inspired by my daughter who is 11 and loves reading. We've got stuff for slightly younger audiences up to books for adults.
"It's difficult going into bigger bookshops. You have to go hunting for the books, and there's not an area for dedicated romance novels.
"We're going to try and do lots of fundraising for things like Women's Aid, and we hope the shop can be a comfortable place for women to get help or talk."
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