IN a move that effectively has doubled the retail space available for customers, family-owned Watt Brothers has opened a new store in the heart of Ayr town centre.
The company has moved from its old premises on High Street into a first-floor unit covering 15,000 square foot several hundred yards away at 143 High Street.
As well as increasing the floorspace for its range of products, the company has also increased its workforce from 20 to almost 50.
Company MD Willie Watt has described the reaction from customers to the new, relocated store as “amazing” and said: “Expansion for the Ayr store had been on our drawing board for some time and we’re delighted with the move. “We’ve seen an increasing demand for the big brand products we stock and which we can offer at great value prices. It’s a formula that’s allowed us as a company to expand even in times of recession.
“Our team worked very hard to turnaround the vacant unit into what is a fantastic retail space which is the perfect showcase for our product ranges.”
At the beginning of December the company, which is currently celebrating its centenary, opened the doors of its ninth location, a new store in Irvine’s Rivergate Centre. That new store is 20,000 square foot in size. Founded in April 1915, the firm initially focused solely on ladies’ fashions but has evolved into a department store offering big brand products at good value prices stocking everything from ladies and gents fashions to homewares, electrical, beauty products and perfumes. Earlier this year the company, in its fourth generation of family control under Willie Watt, announced major expansion plans with a goal of six additional new stores.
In 2016 the company is planning to open stores in Port Glasgow and Falkirk with other locations pending negotiations, in the pipeline.