Celebrating 150 Years
2023 marks 150 years of Wallace Allan. In a stellar century and a half, we have transcended into our fifth generation of family ownership and continue to lead with the same core values and quality that our customers expect and deserve.
As it’s a monumental anniversary, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the last 15 decades and recount our remarkable heritage and history. Read on for more.
Wallace Allan
Our origins begin in 1873 when Wallace Allan took the principles and talent fed down to him from his father to open a jewellers that was rich in quality and craftsmanship. Wallace was ignited by his father’s passion for watchmaking who sadly died of printer ink poisoning when Wallace was 8 years old. However, his devotion to craftsmanship continued. Having served as his father’s apprentice watchmaker with Templeton in the High St of Ayr, Wallace developed the idea of a jewellers that fronted luxury and quality.
1890 - Wallace Allan and Robert Allan (oldest son)
1921 Unveiling of an outside clock
Following the death of Wallace in 1931, the jewellers came into the ownership of his son, William Allan. William served in the 1st World War in the Blackwatch. He received the military cross and bar for his extraordinary efforts and was also a councillor of justice and peace.
After William’s death in 1958, the jewellers passed down to his son, Wallace Allan. Like his father, Wallace joined the war effort and served during World War II in the Fleet Airm as an instrument fitter. He became a prominent scouts figure and received the highest award for his efforts, was a justice of the peace, and was a lifelong member of the Rotarians.
During both wars, the shop remained opened and committed to remaining a strong and united front in the face of warfare. In fact, the only time the store closed was during the Covid19 pandemic (although remained active online).
By 1952, the war ended and the jewellers was in the hands of William Grant Allan. Under his keep, the shop underwent its largest shop fit the store had ever seen. The full building was renovated, securing Wallace Allan’s place in the heart of Ayr Town Centre.
1960s
Today, William Grant Allan continues to lead the store as Managing Director alongside the help of his son Ian Wallace, who decided to take the business online. The transition proved highly successful and the legacy shows a strong progression towards another, outstanding, 150 years.
1990
2020s
Upon visiting the store, you’ll see that the building retains its old charm so that you feel the five generations before you. It remains in its original premises on Newmarket Street, right in the centre of the ancient market town and borough of Ayr where it continues to provide quality products and incomparable customer service.
We want to say thank you to all of our customers, old and new, for allowing us to reach this remarkable milestone. We look forward to continuing our great work and representing the great qualities that allowed us generations of success.
