Growth plans are on menu for Carradale business owner
A COUPLE who bought a restaurant in Carradale three years ago are now hoping to expand the business to offer self-catering apartments for visitors.
Bill and May Currie decided they were at a stage in life when they wanted a change and, with encouragement from family, they took over the Glen Bar and Restaurant.
After refurbishing the premises, Bill and May opened the doors in November 2013 and have been overwhelmed by the support of their customers.
May said: ‘Bill was a catering manager and I was a nurse practitioner but a few years ago we felt that it was time to do something different. It was actually Bill’s father who first suggested the idea of buying the Glen Bar and Restaurant and, after we looked into it and researched it, we decided it would be a fantastic opportunity for us.
‘Since we launched the new-look restaurant the response has been phenomenal from locals and visitors to the area. We do attract a lot of passing trade with holidaymakers during the summer season, with many returning to us during their stay which has been very encouraging and shows we are doing things right.
‘We have received a lot of praise for our food, which is exactly what we hoped for. We use locally-sourced ingredients and try to ensure we’re offering tasty meals for everyone.’
Now, with support from Business Gateway Argyll and Bute, the pair are making plans to expand the business.
They want to build three self-catering studio apartments to offer holiday lets for visitors.
May added: ‘Carradale is a wonderful, picturesque fishing village with many visitors passing through during the summer and we feel that offering apartments for people to stay in is the natural progression for us.
‘Business Gateway has been a fantastic source of support for us. Our adviser has offered us business planning advice which in turn helped us to obtain funding support.
‘Having an expert on hand to talk over things with was and is an advantage for anyone in business’.
Donald Melville, of Business Gateway, said: ‘The Glen Bar and Restaurant has developed an impressive reputation and the refurbishment has transformed it into a modern, quality envi- ronment. Bill and May have benefited from our one-to-one advice on a number of issues that have helped them make their business a success.’
For more information visit www.glenbarandrestaurant.co.uk. To find out more about how Business Gateway can help you set up and develop your own business, call 01546 808 363 or visit www.bgateway.com/ argyll-and-bute.