An Ayr community organisation has been shortlisted for two national awards after helping bring empty town-centre spaces back into use.
NARTURE CIC is a finalist in the Innovation in Place category at the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards. The South Ayrshire organisation has also been shortlisted for the Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2026, where voting is open for the People’s Choice Award.
Five finalists in the Scotland Loves Local category
Narture is one of five contenders in its Scotland Loves Local category. It is competing against Climate Action Strathaven in South Lanarkshire, Fife Council’s Riverside Park Regeneration Project in Glenrothes, Inverness BID and partners’ Street Scene, and Our Union Street’s Our Aberdeen App.
The winners, along with the winners of the regional High Street Heroes awards, will be announced in October. The Scotland Loves Local Awards are organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership and recognise projects intended to make Scotland’s towns and neighbourhoods stronger and more sustainable.
Community projects supported by bakery sales
Narture says its work focuses on turning unused town-centre premises into places where people can connect, learn and make. Money from every sourdough loaf bought at its bakery supports creative projects, artisan skills training, apprenticeships, local jobs and community spaces in Ayr.
The organisation is run by Robert and Saskia Singer. It recently opened The Auld Toy Shop on Newmarket Street, using the site as a community space.
Public voting is open for the Social Enterprise Awards Scotland People’s Choice Award, giving supporters an opportunity to back Narture alongside the organisation’s award-panel shortlisting.
