Grantown Remakery is spreading the up-cycling word with next door extension
Grantown Remakery is growing all the time. They now have the keys of next door - 40 High St and are ready to expand.
“The staff have been meeting with volunteers to discuss how we want to use the two spaces,” celebrated spokesman Pete Carson.
“We are also in the process of releasing our first Newsletter in a long time - this will be a fairly regular thing now.”
Mr Carson explained: “At present we are renting No 40 but we are well on the way to raising enough to buy it reasonably soon - so that is our plan.
“Spring 2025 has been an exciting time to be a part of the Remakery. Whether new trainee gaining invaluable employability experience and practical skills or a local resident whose precious family-heirloom has been lovingly restored in our workshop, it’s been very fulfilling.
“Someone who shops in Grantown who has noticed that there is one less 'To Let' sign on the high street; or simply a part of the faithful community of locals and volunteers for whom The Remakery offers a safe environment with a friendly welcome, things are happening and our impact is increasing.”
The team collected the keys earlier this month with great delight.
“With an ever-increasing uptake on our repair services, an expanding staff-and-volunteer team, and a burgeoning reputation as ethical stewards of well-loved items of furniture, space in our current hub has been at a premium for some time now; the decision to rent extra space represents our commitment to deliver growth and excellence in what we do.
“We will continue to operate from our current premises and expand into the shop next door to almost double the footprint of our dynamic and supportive project-space.
“Whilst in the first instance we are renting, George has been tirelessly fundraising with a view to purchasing the property next-door: we want to offer our sincere gratitude to the Robert Barr Trust, The Pebble Trust and The Cairngorm Trust for the support we have received so far in this exciting endeavour.”
The extra space promises the facilities to empower more trainees, redeem more beautiful artefacts which would otherwise be destined for landfill and serve the community's repair needs more fully.
“We love Grantown on Spey,” said Mr Carson. “The vibrancy of its high street bucks the worrying trend in rural towns of high streets becoming increasingly populated with empty units.
“We take pride in the part we play in ensuring that visitors and locals to Grantown are met with a warm welcome and a town which exudes energy, creativity and inclusion.
“Renting additional space is a gesture of commitment to Grantown's High Street and its amazing atmosphere: anyone who loves the High Street too should drop into the shop and say 'Hi' sometime - we often find that the shop has just the thing our customers didn't realise they needed!
“We are open 9:30 - 16:00 Tuesday to Friday and take great pleasure in showing visitors the work we are so proud of.
“And anyone who has utilised our repair services will be aware of how incredibly skilled and conscientious our repair team is. Whether you have witnessed Tomas' forensic triage of a beloved item of antique furniture, or Marie's dedication to ensuring that customers are included in the process of choosing the fabric used in reupholstery, you will know that we care deeply about every item which is entrusted to us. This level of skill and enthusiasm is a key factor in the remarkable surge in uptake of our repair services over the past twelve months .
“Compared to this time last year, our shop revenue has seen a 50% increase - the majority of which can be accredited to the repairs and restorations with which we have been commissioned.
“There is no doubt that tendering and winning a contract to run a Share and Repair Network Tourism Fund through Circular Communities Scotland bolstered local knowledge of our work, or that we continue to reap the reputational and profile fruits of our Royal visit last year, but the loyal support of our community and the word-of-mouth promotion from our patrons is a foundational resource which we never take for granted.”
The growth in popularity of the Remakery’s repair services was accompanied by certain logistic challenges, Mr Carson conceded.
“Where do we keep items to be restored? How can we ensure that an excellent quality of service is maintained when demand is on the increase? How do we nurture the wellbeing of staff and volunteers?
“Whilst we work out a strategy to remedy these challenges, transition to a new shop, and whilst staff enjoy some well-earned time off over the summer, we have a small ask of our valued supporters and customers: please can we request additional patience over July and August?
“Repairs may take a little longer, big jobs may need to be postponed, the shop may be a little quieter.
“Rest-assured, we are motivated to ensure that we meet our community's needs, but sometimes that requires time for planning, discussions, and even to allow Tomas a few weeks in Czechia!
“Alongside the joy we experience when we return restored items to our customers, we take seriously the impact that the concept of 'Restore, Reuse Recycle' can have in supporting the Green agenda to safeguard the planet for future generations.”
Anyone who wants to partner with the team in supporting the Cairngorm 2030 Net Zero Plan can by telling their friends and neighbours about them the next time they are thinking of updating their home.
“We are incredibly proud of the work we do to support our trainees. Whether they have been referred to us to gain experience toward employment, offered the chance of an alternative curriculum with us by Grantown High School, or come in under their own steam - knowing the transformative impact of meaningful activity for mental health - the growth-journeys undertaken by our trainees is central to our work.”
“We know that we can support more people,” Mr Carson added. “We know that throw-away-culture continues to thrive and that our planet demands radical change; and we are proud to stand with those who value the characteristics of creativity, craftsmanship and integrity in a climate where the rise of AI threatens the livelihoods and soft-outcomes which our project exists to nurture.
“If you have used our services in the past year we would love to hear your feedback. We are currently conducting a public survey and we would love your input as we strive to deliver the best service we can to our stakeholders.”
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