The Scullery’s post lockdown optimism

While non-essential shops in Scotland do not have a re-opening date yet, The Scullery in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee has started to deliver customer orders following interest in its Facebook posts. Owner Kenny Mitchell is “encouraged that many people want to shop locally.”

Kenny took over the town’s homewares store last October, revamped and renamed it The Scullery, focusing on kitchenware and gifts. During lockdown he has been regularly posting on social media, focusing on activities such as cheese making, barbecues and home baking. The store has also featured Scottish designers and its own Scullery Maid textiles in its posts, and is promoting a gift voucher initiative, adding 20% extra to its vouchers bought in lockdown in advance of the shop’s reopening.

Above: Looking into The Scullery.
Above: Looking into The Scullery.

“We’ve been encouraging customers to post feedback and share photos,” says Kenny. “Over the past three weeks we’ve started to take orders via Messenger resulting from our posts and delivering to 60 customers in the local area.” The local traders’ association is also providing mutual support for members, sharing social media posts.

The Scullery’s lockdown sellers include baking tins, Mason Cash coloured mixing bowls (from The Rayware Group) and Russell Hobbs hand mixers from EPE.

Above: Kenny inside The Scullery.
Above: Kenny inside The Scullery.

Kenny is “reasonably optimistic” for post lockdown trade, and hopeful that customers will support the shop when it reopens. “Some people have got used to buying things on Amazon and eBay but I’m encouraged that many people want to shop locally,” he acknowledges. The town has a large elderly population that “are not affected by furloughing, have a bit more money to spend, and like to see and feel quality.”

The possibility of local tourism (as people cannot go further afield) may also benefit the shop, as well as its location “in the heart of golf country,” notes Kenny.

 

Top: Kenny and Nicola Mitchell outside The Scullery, Broughty Ferry.

MORE NEWS
Copy of Progressive Preschool featured image (14)
 
BIRA has condemned yesterday’s (30 October, 2024) budget as the most damaging for independent retailers in recent memory. ...
Copy of Progressive Preschool featured image (2)
 
Spring Fair needs your help to bring together a Hall of Fame compilation of memories, pictures and great stories from the show’s 75-year history....
Copy of Progressive Preschool featured image (13)
 
Saladmaster UK, a division of Regal Ware, has announced its membership of the Federation of the European Cookware, Cutlery, and Housewares Industries (FEC). ...
Copy of Progressive Preschool featured image (12)
 
The upcoming Digital Academy event is a unique opportunity for retailers who want to focus on sustainability when ordering their product range....
Copy of Progressive Preschool featured image (11)
 
New research reveals that under half (43%) of families sit down and eat together and a third of people eat their daily meals on the sofa. ...
Copy of Progressive Preschool featured image (10)
 
The award was a result of Lakeland’s Future Ready initiative over the last three years, showcasing transformation and innovative thinking within the business....
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.