AN ARDROSSAN laundrette has once again been crowned the best in the county.

Well, in fact, it was across two counties this year - as the Ayrshire business awards moved to also cover the Dumfries area.

But the extra competition did not stop the team from Sylvia's Soapy Suds from cleaning up once again.

After success in 2022, this year saw the Ardrossan team named as the Best Cleaning Business in the area at a glamorous ceremony at Kilmarnock's Park Hotel.

Owner Dora Kane commented: "Well we did it, Ayrshire and Dumfries winner of the Best Cleaning Business award.

"Even though we were combined together with Dumfries, we did it!

"The second year in a row for us within Ayrshire. I'm delighted, it wouldn't have been possible without everyone who voted for us, and of course the staff - without their willingness and hardwork wouldn't be here.

"We all work our hardest, and pride ourselves with our standards."

The business, which operates with a small team of Dora, Fiona, Lesley and Laura, is now aiming to win the same prize on a national level as it competes with other regional winners across Scotland.

It is an award it won last year, and one it hopes to retain, just like it did on the regional stage.

Dora says she is still blown away every day at just how far the business has come since she took the reigns from her mum Sylvia.

She remarkably started the business as her own mother was taken into nursing home after Sylvia, a single mother of three, had been looking after her for the 12 years previous.

Dora added: "When my mum started this business on her own 11 years ago she didn't expect anything like this, or to be even still trading and everyone knows the last few years for all businesses hasn't been easy."

Though Sylvia’s has become a cherished feature of the Ardrossan community, and to many it can be so much more than a laundrette - particulary given the hard work throughout the Covid pandemic.

And customers have a chance to show their appreciation to the business, by giving it their vote ahead of the Scottish Business Awards at the end of October - as the team heads to Glasgow's Doubletree Hilton.

Cast your vote online at nominees.info/vote or by texting 'Sylvia's Soapy Suds, Ayrshire' to 07520 634133 to back it to claim the national title.