Popular takeaway SCRAN has hailed its dream team link with a local football club as it rises from the ashes of a devastating train station blaze. Bosses at SCRAN and Troon Football Club have proved a potent partnership over the last five years.
A popular food takeaway which rose from the ashes of Troon Train Station's fire has revealed its secret to getting back on track. SCRAN, which now trades from inside the walls of Portland Park football ground, has formed a dynamic partnership with the town's successful football team.
Five years on from the devastating blaze which tore the heart from Troon in July 2021, bosses on both sides are hailing the community spirit which saved the day.
Kyle Smith, who heads up SCRAN with his mum Pam Main, said: "Mum had run the Troon Station Kiosk for many years as a morning rolls and newspaper place, but when Covid hit we looked at the idea of a nighttime takeaway option and that was how SCRAN was born. We were just starting to take off when the fire happened. The soul was ripped out of us. I was sat in the house thinking the dream was over and my next step would be the job sites. That's when I got a call from Marty Fraser, who's on the committee here at Troon Football Club."
He added: "He asked if we'd be interested in coming in as they wanted a food vendor to operate the games. When we initially looked at their kitchen unit, we felt it would be too small to operate from. But mum came across a place in Motherwell that had these old shipping containers. They wet walled them inside and transformed them into kitchens. Jim Kirkwood, the chairman here at Troon, was fantastic in getting everything sorted and it just went from there to get the container down here and operational. It's allowed us to be open seven days a week as a takeaway from within the football ground and we've never looked back, really."
The fire which tore through Troon Station five years ago this summer devastated the town and businesses like Pam and Kyle's. But through good old fashioned community spirit and a growing social media presence, SCRAN has quickly become a go-to destination for foodies across Ayrshire.
Pam, 56, revealed: "Without Martin reaching out from the club, I don't know where we'd have been. I had four staff that I had to get back into work after the fire and that was my main priority. At the time, there were no units or shops available. I've lived in Troon since I was five and this is where the business had to be for me. We were so well known in the town so we had to stay here. It was a daft wee shop that sold rolls and newspapers. But it was my life for almost 15 years and I needed it to remain as part of the community."
The business has since taken off, aided by its large social media presence with Pam playing the role of 'Scran Maw' in a series of hilarious video clips and reels. Kyle laughed: "We can't go anywhere these days without someone recognising her as the 'Scran Maw' from TikTok. You get a bit of craic here with the food and that's vital. Up at the train station you got your roll, your paper and a bit of a slagging from my mum. We've moved that mentality down here to the football ground. You'll get a bit of a tearing while waiting on your food and I think punters - especially the football ones - love that human side of it."
Troon club secretary, Richard Henderson, says having SCRAN on board at Portland Park has been a match made in heaven. He added: "It makes a huge difference to the overall club. For years we've been pushing community involvement, whether it be things like handing out free tickets to schoolkids or hosting their sports days and family events. Having SCRAN here opens the venue seven days a week as a real destination in the town and that's what we're driving towards. We think it's a pretty unique setup and it's been hugely successful for both parties. You'll have football fans who come here if they don't have a game of their own - simply because the food is so good! The fire was a devastating day for everyone. It was our first game back after Covid and we were playing up at Kilwinning Rangers. Someone mentioned there had been a fire at the station and by the time we got back the whole thing was gone. Thankfully this partnership has been a positive example of the community working together and long may that continue."
SCRAN are currently gearing up for World Cup fever and Kyle revealed: "We're known for being hot on the trends so our Scottish Spice Bags which launched this week have proven a huge hit. We'll be staying open right through to 5am on Sunday morning for the Haiti game so here's hoping there a win to go with it!"
