Meet the kind-hearted new coffee shop owner at Paisley Gilmour Street

Ashley MacIver, who is a former cop, recently opened The Coffee Stop on platforms two and three at Paisley Gilmour Street.

The new eatery specialises in hot drinks, homemade cakes, and pastries.

The 36-year-old decided to open the store after leaving the police force due to a health condition.

Ashley, who lives in Gartcosh but is originally from Clydebank, revealed opening a coffee store has always been a dream of hers. 

She said: "It's something I always wanted to do but it's one of those things from when you're a kid and playing coffee shops with your gran who taught you to bake, you never think it's going to happen.

"I left the police for health reasons as I've got quite a rare heart condition which meant I couldn't be an operational police officer anymore. 

"I then thought 'I can't spend 20 years behind a desk, that's not what I joined for, I'm a people person, and I like being amongst people'.

"However, having quite a rare heart condition, it has been touch and go at times, and I think it just put life into perspective a wee bit and I thought if I don't do it now, I never will.

"Paisley then came up and I looked at it and just fell in love with it. 

"I thought it was ideal because I wouldn't have to fight the high street shops for customers. It's perfect really, the perfect location."

The keen chef has been baking since she was "old enough to crack an egg" with her grandmother.

She also revealed the inspiration behind the store was sparked by her love of baking with her gran.

Ashley said: "My gran taught me to bake, and I used to go to coffee mornings with her at church."

Before opening the store, the former officer ran a baking business on the side while in the police force.

She added: "I just took my baking from there and did my own thing, but I've always wanted to have a coffee shop.

"It's just something that I always wanted."

In total, the entrepreneur spent over a decade fighting crime in Scotland.

"I served 14 years in the police, and I absolutely loved it," Ashley said.

"It was the best job in the world. I loved being a cop - I just wanted to be a police officer out in the streets to help people.

"I know that sounds really cheesy and it's what everyone says but I genuinely mean it.

"I wanted to be part of a community and wanted to be a positive influence on young children."

However, the lead-up to opening the new eatery in the busy railway station has had its challenges, Ashley revealed.

She said: "It's been very challenging as I was dealing with ScotRail and Network Rail - two very large companies, but the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.

"I've had a lot of support and help from Business Gateway Renfrewshire - they are worth their weight in gold."

Ashley has two staff members working in the shop, who are both "fantastic".

Looking forward to the future, the business owner said she is "excited" to see where it goes.

The baker added: "The first day was a bit slow on the uptake, however, it's been a nice wee rise every day and more people are starting to get to know we are there.

"It's an exciting time and fingers crossed there will be potential for expansion in the future, but I just need to get Paisley off the ground first."

To find out more about The Coffee Stop, click HERE.