A new website listing all of the food-based businesses in Ayrshire still operating has popped up online.

The website is called Ayrshire Food and on it visitors can see what shops, restaurants, cafes and other suppliers are still operating in the wake of nationwide closures due to the coronavirus.

The project is the work of Kilwinning Rangers Chairman, Colin Boyd and it lists information such as name and type of business, opening hours, and whether it’s a delivery service or if customers have to collect the goods themselves.

The website also features a function whereby you can search based on your location, all major towns in Ayrshire are listed and by clicking through the link to each town you can see which businesses are still operating in your area.

Businesses wishing to add themselves to the list can do so easily by going to the website at ayrshire.io and clicking on the “Get Listed Today” button on the top right hand corner of the screen.

Last Friday it was announced by the UK Government that all pubs, restaurants and cafes were to close their doors to customers in a bid to prevent the gathering of people and the spread of the virus. Only those offering takeaway services are to remain open.

The website is a welcome addition to the dramatically changed food scene in Ayrshire which is having to find novel ways to reach customers.

Chief officer of Scotland's Towns Partnership, Phil Prentice last week appealed to the public to help their local businesses where possible, saying:

"This is a critical time for our town centres and many local businesses desperately need our support. Our town centres aren’t just buildings and streets. The people who own the businesses aren’t just some group of abstract entrepreneurs. They are our brothers and sisters, our cousins, our sons and daughters and our friends.

"Many local businesses are innovating and being creative about how they can provide their goods and services within the confines of new public health guidelines - many are now offering online and over-the-phone orders with deliveries. Many are re-purposing their businesses to offer something completely different, often helping vulnerable people in need of support in the wider community. Local people, too, can be creative in how they support local businesses to do this.

"These are anxious times for us all, but my plea is that we all come together to do what we can to support our local town centres. When we’re all adapting to the government guidelines, think local first. Think about whether you can get what you need from a local business."