Established in Alloway Street in 1896 D. Hourston & sons became one of the largest retail drapery establishments in Scotland. Its tearooms, smoking rooms and roof gardens became famed across the country.

In April 1949 the business was acquired by the House of Fraser group and in the years following, various changes took place, both in name (it became Arnotts for a time) and in ownership. Trading once again as an independent AIS member store, the original name has now been restored and Hourstons remains one of the busiest stores in Ayr.

Departments available include Ladieswear, Menswear, Ladies Accessories and Beauty, Homewares and Gifts – all of which are complemented by the excellent restaurant facilities and home cooked food available from either The Alloway Room restaurant or The Atrium café.  And Hourstons renowned Bridal Registry offers the perfect combination of assistance to the Bride and Groom (or family) in gifts selection, with the online facility for either the wedding couple or guests to monitor the progress of the gift list.

Touchretail provided Hourstons with a full Retail Accounts solution, and including P&L, departmental profitability reporting and stock & profit reporting. CENPAC clearing house invoice and payment processing is part of Hourstons administrative system, which is an inherent part of Touchretail’s AIS - specific modules.