Hard-working Irene Shields has been the face behind the kiosk in Kilwinning railway station for 28 years.

She admits that times have been very tough since the pandemic and has weathered the storm.

Now she hopes the town can be improved by Kilwinning's next elected member as the by-election looms on May 9.

She said: “I have worked in this business for 28 years, but have run it on my own for 13 years.

"We have no newspapers now as the delivery charge is far too expensive. I  was being charged £65 a week which is just far too much. If the delivery charge was reasonable I would sell them.

“Stock has gone up horrendously at the cash and carry, so it’s tough, although I would hate to lose my wee business.

“Hot and cold food and drinks sell really well. But chocolate prices are going up horrendously as cocoa plants have been infected by bad batches.”

She feels North Ayrshire Council offer a good service and said: “The council are good, they do your elementary check and also a food hygiene check.”

Irene is hoping the winner of the Kilwinning by-election will champion the area which has suffered during the pandemic. 

She said:  “Although the Scottish Government gave us £10,000 we couldn’t get any of the other schemes but I was rejected as I was classed as takeaway and essential. I was an essential business but got no grant.

“I never took a wage for two years during the pandemic as I wanted to keep the business going. My husband, Robert, was working full-time and could pay the bills. It is picking up but the kiosk is not nearly as busy as it was in the pandemic.”

She feels the town now needs a reinvention. 

“We don’t have a bank in the town but we really should have one," she said. "I have to do banking in Irvine.

"It would really boost the area if we could have more shops in the main street and hopefully whoever is elected will encourage people to set some up in the town centre.  

"A post office has just opened up at the bottom of the town in November.

“But we really need a bank as there’s not a single one in the town. I don’t do online banking, so I just have to go to Irvine.”

In terms of leisure she says some facilities are good but more would be better.

Irene added: “Kilwinning Sports Club is successful and they have a gym and cafe.”

“There should more all-round things for kids in the town, although some play football and tennis at the sports club.”

The Kilwinning by-election was called following the death of Conservative Councillor John Glover earlier this year.

Five candidates are standing for election: Ian Gibson (Scottish Family Party - Putting Families First); Sheila Gibson (SNP); Mary Hume (Scottish Labour); Ruby Kirkwood (Scottish Liberal Democrats); and Chris Lawler (Scottish Conservative and Unionist).