Thriving Economy South Ayrshire

10/11/2026

Ceed Scotland are hosting an interactive workshop facilitated by Reg Stewart of Business Excellence Networking.

Reg has been working with this Assessment Tool for a number of years across a wide range of business sectors. Most recently, as Business Excellence Lead at Land Energy, Girvan, he supported the company on its journey to success, culminating in winning the 2026 Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award.

This workshop will provide participants with a practical framework to assess where their organisation is on its journey to Business Excellence, helping to identify strengths, prioritise areas for development, and support strategic operational improvement.

During the session, you will receive:

An introduction to the Business Excellence Assessment Model

A real-life case study demonstrating how the assessment process works in practice

Practical templates and tools to help you get started within your own organisation

Guidance on using the framework to support continuous improvement and business performance

In addition, the workshop will provide an opportunity to build peer-to-peer connections with fellow attendees, supporting future benchmarking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration as you develop your own Business Excellence Assessment approach.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday 8th December

Venue: NMIS, 3 Netherton Square, Paisley, PA3 2EF

Timings: 9.30am for tea/coffee and registration, 10am start, 12pm finish

Register

30/10/2026

Celebrate the season with
businesses from across Ayrshire at our Christmas Networking event 🎄🎅🏼

Join us for an afternoon of festive refreshments, valuable conversations and new connections. It's the pertect opportunity to reflect on the year's successes, expand your network and finish 2026 on a high.

📆Wednesday 9 December
🕐12:00pm - 2:00pm
📍Ingram Enterprise Centre
🔗Book your place today: https://www.bgateway.com/
events/christmas-networking-32258

30/10/2026

Just 4 weeks to go until !
Join us, East Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council, South Ayrshire Council and more on Wednesday 25 November, at Ayr Racecourse, from 9.30am-12.30pm.
Register here: https://bit.ly/4z8Tz1s

27/10/2026

Pride In Places are pleased to host information sessions:

Community group session: Tuesday 3rd November 2026, from 9:30am to 12:00pm in the Ally MacLeod Hospitality Suite, Somerset Park.

The session is open to all community groups, organisations and partners working alongside communities in Ayr North and Ayr Town Centre.

Business sector events: Tuesday 3rd November 2026, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm and Thursday 5th November 2026, from 8:00am to 10:00am at the Fairfield Hotel, Ayr.

We're giving an option to businesses to attend either a morning or a twilight session. Events are open to all businesses in Ayr North and Ayr Town Centre.
These sessions will provide an opportunity to:
• Learn more about the Pride in Place programme.
• Meet members of the Board.
• Network with other organisations/businesses and partners.
• Explore potential funding and partnership opportunities.

If anyone wishes to book a place, they can do so by following links:
Community event - Pride in Place Launch Event - Community Groups Registration Form Tues 3rd November 9:30am – https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/0hxVHSPAWE
Business twilight session - Pride in Place Launch Event - Businesses Registration Form Tues 3rd Nov 5:30pm - 8pm – https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/WLD20xhqmt
Business morning session - Pride in Place Launch Event - Businesses Registration Form Thurs 5th Nov 8am - 9:30am – https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/w0i34UFzJx
Or via the QR codes on the flyers. Any queries please email [email protected]

21/10/2026

The 2027 Business Excellence Awards are returning! If you are interested in learning more or applying, please visit the link below.

Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce

Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the return of the prestigious Business Excellence Award.

The award recognises businesses that are committed to excellence and follow a path of continuous improvement.

Learn more about the 2027 Business Excellence Award on our website here:
🔗 https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0zb_g30

The award is free to enter and is open to any SME (under 250 employees) or Social Enterprise within .

Applications close on Friday 27th November 2026.

09/10/2026

🎉 A week on from an unforgettable evening, we’re still celebrating the incredible achievements of Ayrshire’s business community at the Ayrshire Business Awards 2026!

"Congratulations to all our winners. Their achievements reflect strong business performance, an ability to overcome challenges and embrace innovation, and a commitment to making a positive contribution to their communities." Claire Baird, CEO Ayrshire Chamber

Relive the magic of the night by watching our official highlight reel and browse our photo album to see some of the memorable moments from the celebration dinner.

Watch the highlight reel 🔗 https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0y-fZd0
View the photo album 🔗 https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0y-fZf0
Official press release 🔗 https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0y-fZg0

With thanks to our Principal Sponsor: Business Gateway Ayrshire

02/10/2026

£2 billion is coming to East Ayrshire! Could you be a part of it ?

Join the East Ayrshire Renewable Developer Forum on the 27th of October at Cumnock Town Hall to meet developers, discover upcoming contracts and get tender-ready.

This opportunity is open to all businesses across a range of sectors — not just energy.

Get tender ready ➡️ https://portal.ayrshire-chamber.org/events/1889/book

Tender ready ➡️ https://portal.ayrshire-chamber.org/events/1890/book

16/09/2026

Skills Development Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government-led Foundation Apprenticeship Enhancement Group, is currently seeking feedback from employers and industry representatives on draft Foundation Apprenticeship principles and guidance. It's a really important piece of work and we're keen to hear from as wide a range of employers as possible to help shape the future of the programme.

Employer Survey:

https://sds.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4GfljlPx6t9ScSy

Further Information:

https://www.apprenticeships.scot/foundation-apprenticeships-your-views

Skills Development Scotland wants your views on the proposed principles and guidance that'll inform future re-developments of Foundation Apprenticeships.

09/09/2026

£10 Million Hospitality Grant Scheme Announced to Support UK Pubs, Restaurants and Cafés

Independent pubs, family-run restaurants and neighbourhood cafés will be able to access support through the Hospitality Grant Scheme, launched by the UK Government to help businesses grow, create opportunities and strengthen local communities. The reworked programme, originally announced in January, will operate over three years and is focused on supporting new hospitality ventures, bringing vacant premises back into use, and funding training initiatives that help people develop skills for careers in the sector.

The £10 million scheme is designed to provide direct financial support to projects that can stimulate local economic activity and increase opportunities in hospitality. Funding can be used to help entrepreneurs establish new businesses, support the redevelopment of unused sites, and deliver training programmes that equip people with the skills, confidence and work experience needed to enter the workforce.

Of the total funding available, more than £3 million has been specifically earmarked for Pub is The Hub, an independent non-profit organisation that supports pubs in rural and disadvantaged communities. This dedicated allocation will fund projects that help pubs diversify their services and expand their role within local communities. Supported activities may include the creation of village stores, community cafés, play areas, arts and crafts facilities, and other services that increase footfall and improve local access to amenities.

The Hospitality Grant Scheme builds on earlier government support for this key sector and reflects the industry's importance as a source of employment, training and community activity. By combining support for entrepreneurship and community-led innovation, the programme aims to ensure that hospitality businesses have access to the resources needed to grow and contribute to local prosperity.

More information to follow.

02/09/2026

Business Gateway Scottish Start-Up Month is here! Please see the below post for information about Scottish Start-Up Month.