A fresh start for Carsphairn shop
What began as an idea raised through community surveys has become a reality, as Carsphairn’s village shop opens its doors once again. With a new name, a new look and a renewed purpose, the shop is ready to take its place once more at the heart of the community. Carricks o’ Carsphairn General Store and Café is the fresh new trading name of the shop, owned and run by Carsphairn Village Shop Limited (CVSL).
Those behind the project knew from the outset that a village shop in Carsphairn was unlikely ever to be a significant money-maker. But community surveys made something else very clear: for the people who live here, having a shop at the heart of the village matters.
After months of planning, funding applications, building work and an extraordinary amount of volunteer effort, Carricks is now ready to serve Carsphairn and the surrounding area.
The shop will stock everyday essentials, including fresh and frozen foods and cupboard items, alongside logs, kindling, coal and pet food. The café will offer breakfast rolls, light lunches, freshly filled sandwiches, paninis, chips and locally supplied cakes.
But the hope is that Carricks will become much more than somewhere to pick up groceries or grab a coffee. Its success will be measured not simply by what goes through the till, but by once again giving Carsphairn a warm and welcoming place at the heart of village life.
Supporting local businesses and producers has been at the heart of the plans for Carricks o’ Carsphairn.
The shop will stock meat from local farmers William and Irene McCreath of Polquanity Farm, alongside locally grown microgreens from Lisa at Beans Greens. It will also be supplied by Dalmellington Country Butchers and Stewart’s Fruit and Veg, while cakes for the cafe will come from Sarah Maxwell Catering, former owner of Rudds Rolls.
The aim is to open seven days a week wherever possible, with flexibility to offer later evening opening when needed.
New shop manager and assistant, Martyn and Laura Walker, have already begun putting their own stamp on Carricks, with plans for themed window displays, Christmas activities and 'Talking Tables' – a space where anyone can sit down for a chat over a cup of tea. The idea is to help reduce loneliness and isolation in a rural community.
Moorbrock Estate has also donated a winter’s supply of firewood, ensuring the log burner can keep customers warm throughout the colder months. A huge community effort Getting to opening day has taken months of work, much of it carried out by volunteers.
Emily Wall, chair of Carsphairn Village Shop Committee (CVSL) said:
“I want to personally thank Becky, Cathy, Debbie, Pauline, Joe, Greg, Bryan and Tom for the countless unpaid hours they have put in. There is simply no way we would be where we are today without their commitment. A very big thank you also goes to David Mason Joinery and Construction, and staff Lee, Tommy and Adam, for transforming the premises. My last-minute changes certainly didn't make their job easy, but they stuck with us throughout.”
CVSL also thanked the volunteer directors of Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Ltd (CREFL), Fred. Olsen Renewables, South Kyle Wind Farm and The National Lottery Community Fund, whose support helped make the project possible. The CVSL committee has already turned its attention to its next project – bringing Carsphairn’s village pub back to life – but for now the focus is on welcoming customers through the door.
“We are delighted to be serving Carsphairn once again," said Emily. "This has only happened because so many people believed that having a shop here was worth fighting for. Now we want everyone to enjoy their local shop and cafe.”
Carricks o' Carsphairn will be open from the last week in September with opening times: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.