Kilmarnock florist moving yards away from old premises

Jul 3 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

A KILMARNOCK florist shop is on the move to premises just yards away from its current location – but only temporarily.

Paper Roses at 100 John Finnie Street, is moving up the road, and its temporary home couldn’t be more appropriate, as it is the former Donaldson’s florist shop at 72 John Finnie Street.

The move is to accommodate extensive renovation works at 100 John Finnie Street, which is part of the Kilmarnock CARS (Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme) project.

And with the erection of scaffolding at Tannahill’s furniture shop in John Finnie Street and the former Johnnie Walker bonded warehouse on Strand Street, the visible signs of work to regenerate the historic core of Kilmarnock are now starting to bear fruit.

Evelyn Murray, owner of Paper Roses, said: “I am very supportive of the extensive regeneration proposals which the council is pursuing in Kilmarnock town centre and I fully understand the reasons why my current shop has to be vacated to allow the renovation works on the building to be undertaken.

“What could have been a very worrying and difficult time for my business has been smoothed considerably by the great support which I have received from East Ayrshire Council and the owner of the shop into which I have moved, only just along the road from my original location.”

Councillor Jim Buchanan, spokesperson for regeneration and environment, added: “Paper Roses is a local business which has been built up over the last decade, providing a service which is valued by its many customers.

“The business is based in an accessible central location in Kilmarnock, which will be greatly enhanced by the renovation work being done under the CARS scheme.

“I am delighted that the council has worked with Evelyn to ensure that the business continues to trade effectively during the period of disruption.”

Evelyn was due to open Paper Roses at its new home at 72 John Finnie Street on Wednesday.