When a large company shuts up shop for the final time, ripples are often felt across local communities for a long time.
But it’s not just the demise of big employers that can have a profound impact. Sometimes even the smallest of businesses can be cherished institutions that are the beating heart of a town or city, and the idea of them disappearing is unthinkable.
One such example is Glasgow’s Tchai-Ovna House of Tea which is more than just a place to grab a speciality cuppa – it’s a cultural institution tucked away on Otago Lane in the heart of Glasgow’s west end.
It has made the shock announcement that it will close its doors for the last time at the end of July.
The place was never known for its slick décor or modern frills. It’s based in a cobbly former stables built in 1825, with mismatched furniture and a bohemian charm.
Its founders (an aerospace engineering student who grew up on Bute and a saxophonist from Eaglesham) were inspired by Czech tea houses which serve as a counterculture to pubs and clubs, and to realise their business dreams they had to put in a hard slog, funding the conversion using student loans, scavenging materials and enlisting the help of friends.
These young entrepreneurs carved out a real niche, providing an inviting and vibrant social environment without the need for alcohol, and it exuded a charm rooted in authenticity and human connection.
West-enders, students, musicians, vegetarians, tourists and even the odd tea-enthusiasts have been lounging around the adored nook for over 20 years.
It also became a cultural haven, with patrons regularly treated to intimate performances by local musicians, often exploring genres and sounds that wouldn’t get a stage elsewhere, as well as exhibitions and literature readings.
It has attracted big names (sometimes for performances or photography, and sometimes just for one of its 80 blends of tea) including Belle & Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand and Scarlett Johansson.
It has always embodied Glasgow’s spirit of inclusivity, celebrating the offbeat and the unconventional.
If you’ve lived or worked in Glasgow I’ll bet that, whether or not this type of venue is (ahem) your cup of tea, you’ll almost certainly have heard of it and its legendary status.
I was talking to a business associate recently, a top Scottish social media guru, about the closure and he casually mentioned that he moved to Glasgow on the strength of one visit to Tchai-Ovna. He said he sat down with a brew, one of his favourite albums came on, and he had that epiphany moment where he thought “this is where I want to live.”
That, my friends, shows the incredible influence small businesses can have.
So it seems timely to mention the Scotland Loves Local campaign, spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), which has issued a rallying cry for people to choose local this summer.
It revealed that Scottish businesses absolutely depend on local support – in fact three quarters say it’s essential to their survival.
I can’t agree more with STP’s chair and retail academic, Leigh Sparks, who said the businesses that operate at the heart of our towns, villages and local places are the social glue of the country.
As the final cups of tea are poured and last notes of music played at the tea house’s July Farewell Festival, the legacy of Tchai-Ovna will undoubtedly continue. Its closure serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing the institutions that enrich our lives and add vibrancy to our communities.
Local businesses survive not on sentimental memories, but also on support and cold hard cash. So if you read this and are reminded of a local business that you hold dear, put your money where your mouth is and get out and support it.
Scotland’s unexpected role in the Titan sub tragedy
Many of us watched in hope as events played out off the shores of Newfoundland, as the search for the missing tourist submarine Titan, which sank during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck, came to a tragic end.
As the drama unfolded over 2,000 miles away, who could have imagined that Scotland would play a prominent role in the attempted rescue mission.
With Aberdeen having been at the forefront of the oil and gas industry for over fifty years, local companies have pioneered the development of cutting-edge technologies to address the unique challenges posed by offshore exploration.
These innovations, such as subsea robotics and sonar, have subsequently allowed us to provide aid in scenarios like the Titan search.
North Sea pipe-laying vessel Deep Energy, operated by Aberdeen based subsea firm TechnipFMC, was used during the search, and Aberdeenshire-based subsea firm Tritech played a crucial role in the unfortunate discovery of wreckage from the ill-fated submarine after scouring the seabed and locating debris.
I was also saddened to hear of another unexpected Scottish connection when it transpired that one of the people on board was a young student from Strathclyde University. My thoughts go out to the families of all who tragically lost their lives.
It Made Me Laugh
Is something fishy going on with these chippy awards?
Just a week ago I applauded the Scottish Chippy Awards in my last column, heaping praise on the winners.
However, it seems that not everyone is celebrating. I’ve been caught hook, line and sinker and failed to foresee controversy on the horizon.
The owner of the Bay Fish & Chip Shop in Stonehaven, which picked up the Mobile Operator of the Year award, was less than impressed with his win, claiming his shop didn’t enter or undergo any judging process.
It’s bizarre. I mean, what would the end goal be for organisers Creative Oceanic if his claim is true? Is there or isn’t there something fishy going on? At the time of writing they’d chosen to remain ‘Koi’ on the matter.
It Made Me Weep
Online fraud hits Scottish entrepreneur
Online banking can sometimes resemble the wild west, with sophisticated scammers looking to exploit the vulnerable.
Fraud cases have increased by 68 per cent in Scotland since 2018, with the majority occurring online, and even the more tech savvy amongst us can easily fall victim.
It really made me angry to read about John Donald, an entrepreneur based in Arisaig who sells robotic falcons, who became victim of cybercrime during the pandemic. A sophisticated scam saw him conned into transferring almost £100,000 to a fake bank account despite being suspicious of the purported phone call from his bank.
Luckily John’s bank reimbursed his missing funds, but it’s a cautionary tale to be on your guard against these scumbags.
