TBA HISTORY

The Association, in its present form, was created as a lobbying body on behalf of local businesses.

For example, we backed the creation of Port Ranald Drive when Seacat, followed by P & O, came to the town, in order to avoid lorry traffic having to come through the town centre.We campaigned to have a CCTV system installed in the town centre as a deterrent against crime and vandalism.

With a great deal of local support we raised money and bought Troon's first Christmas Lights. Since then we have worked with South Ayrshire Council to expand these Festive displays and have contributed over £13,000 to the Council for this purpose.

Four years ago we installed brackets and summer hanging baskets around the town. We now work with the Council annually to expand the floral displays. Shopkeepers pay for the baskets and the Association funds the maintenance and watering services provided by the Council. Private individuals have sponsored the floral planter displays on Ayr Street and Templehill as well as the Galleon Baskets at The Cross. These combined efforts enhance our town and make it a nice place to visit as well as live. This year Troon participated in the Beautiful Britain in Bloom Competition and the efforts of the Business Association were highly praised.

During the Open Golf Championships we had the first ever TBA presence at Royal Troon where we provided town and business information as well as sponsoring a free bus service from Royal Troon into the town centre in order to encourage visitors to shop with us. We also donated a prize for a free draw, which was wone by a visitor from Canada.

We liase with Troon's Community Council on a monthly basis and sponsor their Gala Queen and Princess who in turn participate in Wintertainment and assist the switching on of our Christmas Lights.

Under the banner of the Association we have produced joint advertising in The Herald to promote businesses and troon. By doing this we have given small businesses the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience without having to spend huge amounts of money. The artwork is provided free of charge by a member of the Association.

We liase regularly with South Ayrshire Council to highlight issues which affect the town, for example: closure of our public toilet facilities, cleanliness of the town centre, public car parks, the state of our pavements, flooding issues at The Cross etc. All of these things affect business and the visitor's impression of our town.

Without the active participation of all of our members, we cannot continue to represent the business community in the way we have done in the past, as the burden continues to fall on the shoulders of the same few volunteers every time.