Calum's Kitchen owner Calum Main thankful after move to Moray Sports Centre in Elgin "saves" his business
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LOCAL café Calum's Kitchen is set to move into Moray Sports Centre in Elgin – in a move owner Calum Main said "saved" his business.
The Alves-based café was "all but bust" before a chance encounter Calum had with Moray Sports Foundation CEO Kathryn Evans.
With the doors now shut in Alves, a new and exciting adventure is on the horizon, with the café to begin operating at Moray Sports Centre on January 2.
The move is also set to see a number of jobs created as the new operation will be much bigger – with about 150 seats to fill at the sports centre's clubroom.
Calum said: "I was all but bust and Moray Sports Centre saved me. It's a great thing that they have done.
"I was under a lot of financial stress due to coronavirus and I met Kathryn Evans by chance.
"I told the sports centre my business' position and they saw what I was doing in Alves and felt I was person to help them, while they help me and my staff.
"Not only have they saved the jobs of my eight staff members, but they are also creating jobs too. I'm hoping to have about 16 staff by the time summer comes.
"Things are going to be incredible in Elgin. There is so much parking and the disabled facilities are phenomenal – I have lots of customers with learning difficulties and disabilities so that is ideal.
"The feedback I'm getting is that my customers are going to follow me to Elgin so that is really positive.
"This shows there are good people out there who are willing to help."
Kathryn Evans, CEO of the Moray Sports Foundation, believes that Calum's Kitchen will be a big asset for the ever-expanding Moray Sports Centre.
His arrival comes after Cobbs pulled out of the sports centre's clubroom at the beginning of lockdown to "consolidate".
Ms Evans said: "Myself and Calum were introduced when Calum had a failure of equipment in Alves. I said I had an empty centre with equipment, which he came to see, and from there we started talking.
"Calum said he was looking for somewhere in Elgin. We did mystery shop of his café and the food was great, the service was great and the ethos is exactly what we are trying to do. We thought it would be a great fit.
"We are excited to get him on board."
With building on the tennis facility at the sports centre set to begin in 2021, Kathryn is sure it will be a good year.
She added: "2020 has been very difficult for everyone, there was a time when were concerned for our future, but we always hoped everything would piece together like big jigsaw. Next year is looking very exciting."
