Elgin's first vegan café serves up praise
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AN ELGIN café has praised the expertise of Business Gateway as new figures show the positive impact made by the advice service in Moray over a decade.
Business Gateway Moray says that since it opened in 2009, the service has helped create and safeguard more than 1700 jobs, supported more than 1200 start-ups, helped over 200 existing businesses to grow, and enabled upwards of 3000 people to attend free workshops.
Craig Robertson, senior area business manager for Business Gateway Moray, said: "Moray is synonymous with the Scottish food and drink industry, with its Speyside region boasting the highest concentration of whisky distilleries in the world.
"Over the past 10 years we have seen huge growth in the craft beer and gin sector, with five craft beer breweries supported by Business Gateway as well as two new gin distilleries and two new tap rooms. More recently, the region has played an increasingly important role in offshore wind energy, forestry, textile, technology and tourism industries."
One local business to have made strides with Business Gateway support is Elgin’s first 100% vegan eatery, Café Kombucha.
Owner Sarah Doonan contacted Business Gateway in 2017 with her idea to transform an unused council office building on the High Street into a vegan haunt. A funding loan of £15,000 secured from DSL Business Finance Ltd with support from Business Gateway enabled Sarah to open her own café and convert the upper floors of the building into her family home.
The cafe, with steam-punk themed interior design, brings something different to Elgin. Sarah is keen to ensure the menu is made up of locally-sourced seasonal produce. Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers to cut down on waste.
Café Kombucha was shortlisted for Scottish café of the year in the Scottish Café awards 2019.
Sarah said: "Business Gateway has supported me from the very beginning of my business journey. From one-to-one support, advice on my business plan, advice on HR issues and help with funding applications, the support provided has been invaluable.
"What has been nice is the people coming in who are open to trying a new independent restaurant that focuses on producing high-quality food and drink – not just vegans. This demonstrates the need for somewhere like Café Kombucha in Elgin. I’m so grateful to Business Gateway as, without them, none of this would have been possible."
Lorna Williamson, Business Gateway adviser Moray, said: "The best part of my job as an adviser is guiding entrepreneurs, like Sarah, who have the passion coupled with a raw business idea, and equipping them with the connections and skills necessary to get their business off the ground.
"It’s not always easy, but Business Gateway is equipped with the tools and resources to help those like Sarah and to provide support to entrepreneurs who have a dream they want to turn into a reality."
For more information about Business Gateway, visit www.bgateway.com.
