A WELL-established town centre business is to leave Saltcoats town centre next month.

But for those who often pop into Stems and Gems, the business itself will remain in operation.

The Hamilton Street store has been a staple of the town for the best part of two decades, selling a selection of gifts and flowers.

However, a restructure is now coming as the business looks to continue to thrive in the current economic climate.

In a social media announcement, the shop confirmed that it would be changing the business model and becoming a "flower only" store.

As part of the move, Stems and Gems will be closing the doors of its town centre store and relocating elsewhere in the town.

The business will remain in operation from a different unit, which is to be set up in the town's Factory Place.

It says that the changes had to be made due to the current business madel being "no longer viable". 

A statement said: "As many of you already know, it is with mixed emotions that we wish to inform all our customers that we will be closing the doors of our high street shop to restructure our business into a flower only model.

"This is a necessary move for us as the current climate has meant that gift sales are no longer viable.

"Although we are so sorry for all our regular customers, we are seeing this as a positive move and are very much looking forward to still being able to provide the high quality flowers that we have done for the last 19 years, but just under a different set up at a unit in Factory Place, Saltcoats.

"Our name, contact number, Facebook and email will all remain the same to make sure all our customers are still able to contact us for flowers."

The town centre shop will close on Saturday, October 7, and until then will be running a sale to clear some remaining gift stock.

Stems and Gems will be offering 25 per cent off all Arran and DCUK products and 50 per cent off all other gifts (excluding flowers) until this closing date.

For further updates on the business, customers will continue to be informed via their Facebook page which can be found here.