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STV News
16-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Businesses in plea for help to 'rebuild' as police investigate wilful fire
Fundraisers have been launched to help businesses that were destroyed by a fire in Kilmarnock. Six fire engines and two specialist units battled the well-developed blaze at a four-storey building on King Street from around 9pm on Monday. The building, which was home to Hard Luck Tattoo Studio, Sixtyone Café and Project Pop Up Scotland, has suffered an internal collapse and is expected to be demolished. The fire is being treated as deliberate, and investigations are ongoing. STV News spoke to the owner of Hard Luck Tattoo Studio, who said that they had 'lost everything'. A GoFundMe launched for the shop's artists has already raised over £27,000. Other businesses have also appealed to the public for help after their livelihoods were destroyed by the blaze. Pop Up Scotland has said that everything in the shop 'has been lost' and is appealing for funds to rebuild the space. A spokesperson said: 'You will all have seen the fire on King Street, Kilmarnock on Monday, July 14, that has tragically destroyed several businesses in its wake. Project Pop Up Scotland is one of those businesses. 'We have lost everything in the shop, every piece of art, every book written by a local author. 'Every creation made by our local creators and collectors who entrusted their work to us to sell on their behalf. 21 different local crafters have been affected by the destruction this has brought to our shop. 'We are asking, if you can, please spare a donation to help us rebuild our community project. Help us provide some support to those who have lost their work. Help us rebuild our community. 'The smoke and water damage has devastated the shop, and we don't yet know whether the building is even structurally sound. 'We need the help of our community to come back stronger than before, to help our creators be able to create again and and to be able to help make sure this doesn't happen again.' The fundraiser can be accessed here. Sixtyone Cafe, described as a 'cosy and welcoming café', was also destroyed in the blaze, with the owner describing the fire as 'destroying their future'. A fundraiser explains: 'Last night's fire didn't just take flames to bricks and mortar—it swept through my memories, my present reality, and the dreams I'd worked so hard to build for the future. Decades of tireless effort, of sacrifice, of saying no to life's smallest luxuries just so I could say yes to one dream: opening my own café. 'Sixtyone Café wasn't just a business. It was my story, my struggle, and a symbol of hope. It stood because this city stood with me—every kind word, every loyal customer, every helping hand gave it life. 'Now I find myself starting from ashes. And while the fire took much, it didn't take my spirit. I'm reaching out once more, not for charity—but for solidarity. Even the smallest gesture will help rebuild what was lost. I believe in this community because you've helped me rise before, and I know together, we can do it again. 'With heartfelt gratitude and deep respect—thank you, always.' Donations can be made online. STV News Four-storey building was destroyed following a fire in Kilmarnock Police Scotland is treating the fire as deliberate and has appealed for information. Local area commander Chief Inspector Scott McCurdy said: 'This was a large fire and I would like to thank our emergency service colleagues for their help throughout the night. 'We understand the impact this fire has had on local businesses and I want to thank the public for their patience and assistance while we carry out our inquiries. 'We are treating the fire as deliberate, and our investigation is ongoing. 'I am appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of the fire and who saw anything suspicious to contact us.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Sky News
16-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Police investigating deliberate fire that tore through Kilmarnock shops
Why you can trust Sky News A tattoo shop owner has said his team has been "left with nothing" but will "bounce back" after a devastating fire tore through a number of town centre stores. Police are treating the blaze in Kilmarnock's King Street as wilful and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. No one was injured, but a number of businesses have been impacted by the destruction. The four-storey building partially collapsed, with East Ayrshire Council confirming parts of the listed property will need to be demolished "as a matter of urgency" to allow for recovery works and further assessments. Hard Luck Tattoo had only opened within the building in June. Speaking to Sky News, owner Niky Brown said he's still not allowed near the premises as emergency efforts continue. Mr Brown said: "Insurance could take a number of years to pay out because it's a police matter, I've been told by one of my friends. So, basically, I'm running at zero now. "Sixteen years I've been working and saving money to buy that place. I bought the place - it was a dream thing for me to do - but now we're left with nothing. "But I've got a lot of good friends in the area, and they've been helping me out. We've been away viewing a couple of properties this morning. "They're all saying that they're going to give me it for free until I can find my feet, which is amazing." While there were no reports of injuries, other businesses that have been forced to close include Project Pop Up Scotland and Bonmarche. Mr Brown said: "When I first saw the fire, my first thought was 'who's in the building?' "That was the main concern for me because there's other boys in the building." Mr Brown has set up a fundraiser to help the shop's team of eight get back up and running ahead of any potential insurance payout. The GoFundMe has raised more than £27,000. Mr Brown described Kilmarnock as a "community-driven place to live" and thanked all those who have shown support. He said: "I've never really asked for anything in my life, I've always done things myself. I did feel a little bit embarrassed asking." Mr Brown hopes the team will be able find a suitable premises and quickly get back to inking. He added: "It's bricks and mortar. We'll bounce back - we always do." Emergency crews were alerted to the fire in King Street shortly before 9pm on Monday. At the height of the blaze, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) mobilised six appliances and specialist resources. A single appliance along with specialist resources remain at the scene as efforts continue to make the area safe. Surrounding roads were closed after the alarm was raised and Scottish Water warned local customers of potential disruption to their supplies with fire crews working in the area. Police Scotland said the blaze is being treated as wilful. Chief Inspector Scott McCurdy said: "We are treating the fire as deliberate and our investigation is ongoing. "I am appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of the fire and who saw anything suspicious to contact us. "I would also ask anyone who was in the area and who may have dashcam or private CCTV which could assist us to get in touch." Douglas Reid, leader of East Ayrshire Council, thanked the efforts of the emergency services as he announced a recovery fund would be implemented to support local businesses affected. Separate support focusing on strategic engagement will also be provided to national chains and larger employers. Councillor Reid said he "saw first-hand the scale of the disaster unfolding", adding: "It breaks my heart to say that regrettably parts of this listed building will need to be demolished as a matter of urgency to allow other recovery works to be progressed and further assessments continuing thereafter." The local authority leader said the loss of Bonmarche had raised concerns over job losses, reduced footfall and the longer-term recovery of the town centre. He added: "For now several local businesses are unable to trade due to safety concerns and road closures, and some have lost stock or incurred operational disruption. "Several small businesses have been forced to close at short notice, with no clear indication of when they will be able to reopen. "We won't know the full extent of the damage until business owners can regain access to their properties, and for some, this could result in a critical loss of income and jeopardise their ability to continue to trade."
