Strengthening Girvan’s Business Community: Key Updates & Upcoming GBA Meeting
Girvan Business Association Meeting Notice
The next Girvan Business Association (GBA) meeting will take place on Wednesday, 26th February 2025, at 6:30 PM at Duff Street Kitchen, Girvan. The proposed agenda is as follows:
Agenda
Welcome – Chair, John McCreath.
Information Note – Key topics covered since the inaugural meeting – Roddy MacDonald.
Update on Survey Returns – Verbal feedback – Roddy MacDonald.
Open Forum – Looking ahead to 2025 & sharing of information – All present.
Date of the Next Meeting
As GBA enters its second year, we reflect on key discussions and milestones since our inaugural meeting in September 2023. Below is a summary of past meetings and topics covered.
Meeting Summaries
Inaugural Meeting – Wednesday 6th September 2023
Strategic Group established to oversee early development:
John McCreath (Chair), Jamie McDonald & Lee Wilson.
Core purpose of GBA agreed:
Act as a lobbying group for local businesses.
Provide a forum to agree on common interests.
Serve as a networking group for referrals.
Meeting – 6th December 2023
Joan McMurdo, Membership Development Officer, outlined benefits of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Tom Henderson, Community Wealth Building Officer, South Ayrshire Council, provided an overview of Community Wealth Building funding opportunities.
Susanne Arbuckle, Go Girvan Officer, updated on the Dog Friendly Scheme, including Girvan winning a UK award.
Corene McCrindle, Project Lead (Girvan’s Story), discussed a £170,000 award for a National Heritage Fund and Historic Environment bid.
Meeting – 19th June 2024
Sue Jones & Marie McNulty promoted the 'Proud Supporter Scheme' for Go Girvan & Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.
John McCreath sent letters to UK Parliamentary candidates regarding Girvan regeneration, infrastructure, and the proposed Banking Hub.
Heather Perkins gave a presentation on supporting customers with Dementia & Alzheimer’s.
Corene McCrindle facilitated a visit to the Govan Heritage Project, with shared insights at the evening meeting.
Meeting – 21st August 2024
Governance of the GBA: Agreement in principle for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Girvan Town Team, to be finalised next meeting.
Strategic Group (John McCreath, Jamie McDonald & Lee Wilson) scheduled to meet newly elected MP, Elaine Stewart, regarding issues raised at the Association meeting around improvements to Dalrymple Street and related matters.
Kathleen Pearson, WAVE Community Hub, provided an update on this initiative.
Corene McCrindle, Project Lead GIrvan’s Story, provided an update on the skills audit and on the business planning process around the McKechnie Institute.
Kirsti Bell, Microenterprise Community Engagement Coordinator, introduced the CAYR Local initiative and support available for health and well-being businesses facilitating people to remain independent in their own homes and communities.
Connor Pattie, Economic Support Officer, South Ayrshire Council, presented an overview of Scotland Loves Local.
Meeting – 30th October 2024
John McCreath updated on the meeting with MP Elaine Stewart.
Governance finalised: Agreement on the MoU, confirming GBA as a formal sub-committee of Girvan Town Team, chaired by John McCreath.
Cath Maguire, Go Girvan Officer, updated on the Go Girvan Christmas Market (7th December 2024).
Chris Hinz, local business owner, led a discussion on branding Girvan’s unique offer (to be revisited).
GBA Membership Growth: Database now includes 50+ members.
Next Steps: Plans for another plenary meeting in early 2025.
Join Us!
The Girvan Business Association supports businesses of all sizes and sectors. If you run a business in Girvan, we encourage you to attend our upcoming meeting, share your views, and be part of shaping Girvan’s business community.
For further details, please contact:
Roddy MacDonald, GBA Secretary
Email: macdonaldpartnerships@gmail.com
