Narture CIC in Ayr hailed at Scotland Loves Local Awards

Narture CIC, led by father and daughter team Robert and Saskia Singer, was a runner-up in the Most Enterprising Community category.

Founded at the peak of the pandemic, it has repurposed empty town centre spaces for cultural and creative uses, with the aim of creating a community hive at Newmarket Street.

Its current work includes its award-winning Sourdough Bakery and acclaimed Artisan Café with work founded on the pillars of food, creativity and wellbeing.

Saskia said: "It feels fantastic to have been recognised, especially in such a competitive category.

"Being runner-up for 'Most Enterprising Community' is a huge honour, and it highlights the work we’ve been doing with Narture to create positive social change through food, art, and community initiatives.

"It’s lovely to see the hard work of our team, volunteers, customers, and the support of the community being acknowledged.

The community interest company has been active in Ayr since 2016, starting with Fresh Ayr, which ran various pop-up projects and events in empty shops.

Saskia continued: "In 2020, during the pandemic, Narture was created to better reflect our mission of nurturing the arts and respecting nature.

"We opened our experimental bakery kitchen, which has since expanded into the bread shop/café directly opposite at 22 Sandgate.

"Now, we have three spaces on Newmarket Street, including artist studios, a wellbeing room, workshop spaces, a gallery, a shop, a riso printer, and a darkroom.

"We’re also developing a new, larger food and arts venue. Recently, we’ve expanded to offer more training opportunities in hospitality and creative workshops, and things are going really well!"

Saskia has revealed that even more exciting plans are in the works, starting with a new food and arts cafe. 

She added: "Looking ahead, we’re excited to develop our new food and arts venue, Café Shape.

"It will offer nutritious, delicious meals alongside a diverse range of food, art, and music events, as well as supper clubs featuring different cuisines to bring the community together.

"We're also focused on promoting sustainable solutions in our food offerings and creative events, while developing collaborative partnerships.

"People can support us by visiting our bread shop/café, where we also supply wholesale to local restaurants and cafés, attending our workshops and events, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about what we do."

The public can join them at their upcoming Newmarket Street Winter Festival on Saturday, December 14 from 1-9pm at 30 & 32 Newmarket Street.

There will be an art market with studio holders selling their work, a stall with sustainable, local wreaths, face painting for kids, a riso Christmas card workshop, a bakery stall, mulled wine and local drinks, and origami demos.

The evening will feature food and music, with canteen-style hot meals, cocktails, and local beverages.