Welcome to the 'NEW' TBA website.

We will keep you up to date with the activities of the Association and with important events taking place in our town via these pages

We have a new Management Committee to take us forward through this period of difficulty for everyone in business.

At the AGM held on 10th February 2009 the following office-bearers were appointed:

Chairman: Marian Lochrie 0000000oooo Vice Chairman: Crawford Young oioo Secretary/Membership Co-ordinator: Tracey Bradford oooooooooooooooo0000 Treasurer: To be appointed

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

For example, in order to avoid lorry traffic coming through the town centre, we backed the creation of Port Ranald Drive when Seacat, followed by P & O, came to the town. i We also 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 and in the following years contributed over £13,000 to South Ayrshire Council to expand these displays. i It is the Association's intention to purchase new Christmas Lights for Troon and do some serious fundraising to pay for the next batch of lights as well as defray the ever increasing costs of running our annual Wintertainment event. We have bought new lighting features with the money raised this year which we hope will add something to the festive season.

In 2002 we installed brackets and summer hanging baskets around the town and we work annually with South Ayrshire Council to keep the baskets and planters looking attractive. i In 2007 Troon participated in the Beautiful Britain in Bloom Competition and the efforts of the Business Association were highly praised.

At Easter we have our highly successful Odd Object Competition for the local primary schools - participants put something they don't sell in their windows which the children have to find. i There are three winners from each school and they receive vouchers to spend in participating shops. i It attracts a great deal of interest as well as showing the 'searchers' the diversity of merchandise and services available within our town.

Throughout the year we liaise with Troon Community Council and sponsor their Gala Queen and Princess, both of whom switch on the Christmas Lights on Wintertainment day in November. i This event kick-starts the Christmas shopping period with a parade followed by entertainment for both children and adults at various venues around the town. i It culminates in the switching on of the Christmas Lights followed by carol singing beneath the Beacon in Church Street. i It is a great 'Family fun day' and people come from far and wide to enjoy the fun, some Christmas shopping and hospitality offered by shopkeepers. In addition, this year sees the town participating in a 'Nostalia Weekend' (27th - 29th Nov). Click on the Red button at the bottom of the page for full information.

In past years we have done some 'group' advertising in The Herald Christmas Magazine which has proved very successful. i We divide the cost amongst those participating giving small businesses the chance to reach out to a bigger audience at a small cost. We are doing the same thing this year and the artwork for the ad is done freely by one of our members further reducing the cost.

It is a challenging period for us all and if we work together we should continue to thrive.

The Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday 16th February at 7.30 pm in the Council Chambers, Troon Town Hall.

(Enter by the front door of the Town Hall, go up the stairs and the entrance to the Council Chambers is the door directly in front of you)

Marian Lochrie ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Chairman

If you have any questions aboutTroon Business Association you can contact me by e-mail atoajourneythroughtime@wightcablenorth.net :Subject: TBA or by telephone on 01292 311855

TROON GALA NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHS