Industry in Ayr has evolved from the
original trades of the guilds and the crafts practised
in homes. Alongside this Ayr developed as a popular trade
and tourism centre supporting a healthy shopping centre
for visitors over many years.
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding as a major industry developed in the late eighteenth
century. Construction of wooden sailing ships changed to
steel steamers by 1883.
From then to 1930, 142 vessels
and a number of barges were built, first by Samuel B. McKnight
and Company, and then from 1902 by the Ailsa Ship Building
Company. Ship repair work continued into the 1960s.
Fishing Industry
The catching of white fish and salmon at the mouths of the
rivers Ayr and Doon was of great importance to the town from
its earliest days. Barrels of salted fish were a major export.
There was a major fish market and the harbour was home to
a number of fishing vessels.
Textiles
By the late Middle Ages the weaving of woollen and linen
cloth in homes had become a popular activity with the fabric
sold to local tailors and merchants.
Attempts during the
late eighteenth century to formalise the industry were unsuccessful
until James Templeton purchased a factory in the early 19th
Century for woollen yarn production for carpets, craft and
blankets.
One of the most enduring factories was that
started in 1876 by a Templeton employee, William C. Gray.
He developed his own carpet business, which operated until
1974.
Shopping
The Business Listings of the 19th and 20th Centuries show
the economic prosperity witnessed by the town through its
shopping industry.
Major improvements to build actual shop fronts took place
in the early 19th Century along with the development of
the Sandgate and Newmarket Street with cobbled streets and
open sewers to carry off rainwater.
Ayr’s first department store was David Hourston’s
Draper’s Emporium in Alloway Street (1896).
The Directory for 1913-1914 shows the prosperity of the town
with reference to antique dealers, photographers, music teachers,
laundries, picture frame makers and typewriting offices.
Shopping facilities were extended from 1950 –1980 with
major stores like Marks and Spencer, Littlewoods and the
Kyle Centre in 1988. A further shopping centre is currently
being built on the site of the old Wool Mill and Templeton’s
carpet factory and is due to open in late 2005 – 2006.
Tourism
Industry
From 1870 until 1880 there were noted improvements to Ayr’s
beach and tourist venues with organised entertainment, the
sea wall, flattening of the Low Green, ice cream huts and
pleasure cruises. In 1902 the Attractions Committee added
shelters, lavatory accommodation, bathing machines, and permission
was granted for boating, ice cream vendors, and automatic
sweetmeat vending machines. In 1911 a new Pavilion opened
for summer variety shows. All of these contributed to Ayr
becoming on of the prime tourist spots outside of Glasgow.
From the early 19th Century the interest in visiting the
Land o’ Burns developed and continues to the present
day.
