Talking Shop: Fonehouse Galashiels

BID for Galashiels’ Retail Resilience Pilot has been supporting local businesses with tailored advice from retail expert Graham Soult, helping them identify practical ways to improve their businesses and build connections with each other. In our Talking Shop series, participants share what they’ve put into practice and the difference it’s making. This time, we hear from Gary from Fonehouse Galashiels.

“I signed up for the Retail Resilience Pilot for a couple of reasons. Firstly, if I'm being honest, a bit of exposure for the business! But secondly, to meet other local businesses, and that's been great.

It's just nice being around like-minded people who all have a common goal. That sounds a bit corny, but essentially that's what it is. You've got people who want each other to do better, because as a group, if everyone does better, we all benefit.

The report from Graham was really useful. It highlighted areas where we're lacking and things you just don't notice when you're walking into the same building every day, day in, day out. You walk past things so often that you stop seeing them, but somebody coming into your business for the first time would notice them straight away."

"I think that's been one of the biggest benefits. It's exposed some of our shortcomings and given us things to work on. We've taken a proactive approach to the feedback and will be looking to make those changes going forward.

I think if you're going to take part, you've got to be able to take criticism. It's not all going to be positive, and it will highlight areas where you're lacking. But that's the whole point, really. You've got to go into it with your eyes open and be prepared to hear what could be better.

I genuinely think it's really worth doing. You get an outside perspective on your business, you meet other local business owners, and everyone's there wanting to see each other do well.

So, if I had to sum it up: Do it & with an open mind! And the biscuits are pretty guid too!”