A YOUNG Wee County business owner believes there is vast potential in central Scotland and sees a bright future ahead for the art and design industry.

Bradley Pow, 24, is from Kincardine but has lived in Alloa for the last five years and recently became owner of Art Is An Option in the town centre.

After beginning working as a graphic designer at 15, Bradley studied at Forth Valley College in Stirling for two years while working as a designer before joining Art Is An Option.

He recently took over the business from the previous owner in September last year, who had decided to retire amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Bradley said: "I always wanted to have my own business. Art Is An Option was the first place I started working straight out of college and it was always my idea to take it over once Trevor [Andrews, the previous owner] retired.

"I've always had the idea of running an agency so Trevor was kind of mentoring me in how to take over so that was great for me.

"I expected it to be much more stressful, especially with the pandemic but it's been quite good.

"Some of our larger clients have been unaffected which has been great for us."

Throughout the pandemic, Art Is An Option have been working with Clackmannanshire Council and the BID (business improvement district) to make Covid-19 guideline banners and signage in the town centre.

Now Bradley wants to expand the business and push on to continue what Trevor had built after more than 30 years.

He sees a bright future ahead for the art and design industry and believes that as people move away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the smaller communities will thrive.

Bradley added: "I'd love to have public recognition for the design work we're doing, I think the central belt has got really interesting potential for design and art at the moment.

"It seems to be taking away from the big cities and into more local environments so I think it would be nice to get Scotland recognised for doing excellent design work.

"It's quite a large task but I think it's achievable.

"I think it's nice seeing people come together and doing things for the community. It feels like there's more stuff to come."