THE long-term owners of the Rowan Tree restaurant and Garden Centre have announced that they have sold the business on the A78.
David Castelvecchi and Abi Cox put out the announcement on the Rowan Tree's official Facebook page last night that they had taken the decision to sell.
The sale has been completed but the owners have tantalisingly revealed that it is not the end of their business, which is now being extended into their Haylie Stores business in Largs - and will also play a part in an as yet unannounced future project.
Both David and Abbie have been running the restaurant and garden centre, on the A78 between Seamill and Ardrossan, for nearly two and a half decades, and have thanked all their customers for their loyal support, as well as staff for their endeavours in making the business what it has become.
Abi said: "David and myself have taken the decision to sell The Rowan Tree site in Ardrossan. The papers have been signed, the deal has been done.
"But this is not the end for Rowan Tree.
"We have an exciting plan and will share this with you over the coming months. The sale of our Ardrossan site is a stepping stone into a new chapter for The Rowan Tree. Exciting times ahead.
"It goes without saying, our team members are very important to us, after all we couldn't have achieved what we have without them.
"We are working with our team members individually to do everything we can to help and assist them through this time.
"We will continue in our catering partnership with West Kilbride Golf Course, serving food daily to members and catering to all the club's function needs
"Haylie Stores will continue to trade as normal, we are excited (in the short term) to bring The Rowan Tree Garden Centre to Haylie Stores.
"It's been an absolute privilege to serve you all on such an iconic site on the Ayrshire coast for almost 25 years.
"But we're not quite ready to say our cheerio's just yet!
"The restaurant's last day open will be Tuesday, October 1. The Garden Centre will remain open for a little longer, final day to be confirmed.
"It's an emotional time for us both as we look back over nearly 25 years of building the business up to the success it has become.
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened, look forward to what's coming... THE BEST IS YET TO COME!"
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