When we started, we had over 25 product lines but we soon realised that servicing this was eating into our margins. We forecast and plan orders at least six to nine months ahead and so, when we sold out of specific lines, we’d have to wait 18 months to restock; it was a missed opportunity. We took a good look at what was working – you must be brutally honest with yourself – and decided to cut back to around 50 lines and do higher runs. At the same time, we looked critically at all of our costs and stripped back anything we didn’t need; it meant taking on a little extra ourselves but it has paid dividends and we’re now leaner, and far more focused on the market we’re in. We sell direct to consumer via our online shop and have a wholesale arm which supplies to select brands whose values align with our own.
What is next for Robertsons of Scotland? Growing internationally. When we started, about 20% of our customer base was outwith the UK. Now, it’s around 50%. Export is our big focus for the next two years and we’re busy converting an outbuilding at our new home to give us more space and to cut down on overheads as we prepare to ramp up our international presence. We plan to tap into the Beyond Scotland Market Development Grant and the Green Recovery Capital Development Grant available here in Perth & Kinross to help us make these things happen – another great reason to be based here! robertsonsofscotland.com
Cross Tay Link Road Launches Community Artwork Project
T
he Cross Tay Link Road project is the most significant infrastructure investment Perth & Kinross Council has undertaken. Budgeted at £150m, the road will provide substantial economic and environmental benefits for generations to come. Alongside the build, the Council has produced a robust Community Benefits and Social Value Strategy which targets main contractor, BAM UK and Ireland, to deliver social value through a range of community benefits including volunteering, work experience opportunities, adult employment, charitable donations of labour and equipment, fundraising, and local charity support. These targets dovetail with the areawide ambition as laid out in the Perth and Kinross Offer which demonstrates the Council’s commitment to balance the relationship between people who design and deliver services and those who ultimately use them. Inspired by the area’s strong links to the creative industries, the project team has appointed an artist-in-residence to work with the nearby local communities in creating a series of legacy artworks. Nichol Wheatley is a Scottish artist, based in Kinross-shire, who, since graduating from Glasgow School of Art in 1993 has gained a wealth of experience in public realm art, creating large-scale mosaics and murals, and advising as the arts consultant for many infrastructure projects. Nichol commented, “There is much in the way of evidence to support communityled artworks bringing local residents together, creating both legacy and unity.
By focusing on subjects or values that are shared among everyone – such as history, nature, and culture – we hope to generate ideas that will lead to mass participation and a series of artworks that will instil pride and ownership.” Aiming for eleven locations throughout the new road corridor, it is the intention that these focal points provide a sense of identity and support wayfinding. Using the rich history and culture of the area as inspiration, some of the themes and features that might influence the development of the artworks are: Scone Palace and Designed Landscape Considered one of Scotland’s finest and oldest designed landscapes and containing Category A listed Scone Palace Perth Racecourse The northernmost course in Britain with racing activities starting in this location in 1613, opened in its current form in 1909 Archaeology There are a total of 14 scheduled monuments within 1km of the proposed route; this includes the discovery of a souterrain which has been removed from the site, safely stored and ready to be installed at a suitable location within the project site Local Ecology The site is rich in ecology with extensive woodland and tree belts. A full list of the artworks with a brief for bids can be found online at: perthtransportfutures.co.uk Artists interested in bidding for one or more of the artwork projects should contact Nichol directly to find out more: nichol@nicholwheatley.com Invest in Perth Magazine
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