GRO Coffee confirms plans to open new site in Ardrossan

It comes after GRO Coffee owner and founder Gordon Rennie revealed that the popular organic café chain had purchased a new premises in Ardrossan - adding to their existing portfolio which includes Irvine and Ayr.

Earlier this week, the former owners of the Rowan Tree restaurant and garden centre on the A78, between the town and West Kilbride, announced they had sold up after more than 20 years at the helm of the old Little Chef.

After the news broke, Gordon confirmed that the North Shore Road spot had been snapped up by GRO after years eyeing up a move into the venue.

(Image: GRO Coffee/Street View)

He said: “Seven years we were trying to buy it, so many attempts, and eventually out of the blue we were told they want to sell and that was it.

“Within Ayrshire, or even Scotland, it’s an iconic site and such a good one, no matter what it is always busy – it’s just suited to a GRO.

“You can go out in the countryside, buy premises in the city centre, at the end of the day people travel for a destination and a view – that’s what we like.”

And with the purchase now complete, grand plans are now in place to try and get the site up to scratch and ready to go.

Gordon said he is planning a significant investment, bringing plenty of jobs into the area.

He said: “It will be much of the same but even better. About £1.5 million we estimate to get it open and renovate it totally.

“It will create about 40-50 jobs and hopefully it’s as good as the other two.”

The type of work required is not yet clear at this early stage, with Gordon adding that extra attention will need to be given to their ambitious plans to open by June of next year.

He added: “I don’t know until we get in and about it. Initially you think about flattening it and going again but we’re just looking at it superficially just now.

“With the rising building cost and timeframe – I don’t want to have to wait a couple of years and go through planning – there might need to be some compromises.

“We just need to get it absolutely stunning, sitting on that beach, so it will be an absolute gut out at the very least.

“June, it has to open for the summer, if you don’t make it to the summer that’s you for another year because you don’t want to open this in say, October.

“The pressure is on, what’s achievable and what can we do in a short time frame? It should be possible."

GRO Coffee in Irvine. (Image: GRO Coffee/Street View)

It is also hoped that discussions could take place at some stage with owners of land in nearby fields to help expand parking provisions at the premises.

One thing the business owner does know is that he wants the venue to be just as cosy and welcoming as GRO Coffee has become synonymous for.

Gordon continued: “It will be log burning fires in front of a window, overlooking Goatfell, that’s the idea. All the big couches and armchairs.

“I’m probably going to put in Scotland’s biggest cake bar, so I’m going to redesign it to be even bigger than Ayr.

“I just want to make it absolutely stunning for people coming from all over and we think it’s a good compliment to what’s already becoming a good stretch for people coming down to North Ayrshire.

“It’s great for Ardrossan too, which has been struggling a wee bit with the likes of the ferry situation, hopefully it’s a good boost to the area.”

Gordon, who founded the business nearly a decade ago when GRO Coffee Irvine first opened, also feels the move could be the catalyst for further expansion on a wider scale if it proves to be a hit.

He explained: “From the day I opened I planned three [premises], that was going to be the target, after that we would look to roll out nationwide.

“You have to prove it across those sites, anyone can open up one successful restaurant or café.

“Two is a learning curve and if you can get three open it proves a model. After that, let’s see if we can go across the UK, or to Glasgow and Edinburgh. That’s the plan.”