HSBC finances expansion of Morayshire retail and leisure business

HSBC has provided owners of Pozzi Ltd and Bijou by the Sea Ltd with substantial funds to upgrade and expand their existing group of four stores.

David Robertson, co-owner and managing director of the longstanding Morayshire businesses, has invested the finance to rebrand the group, and has extensively refitted his original store, Pozzi in Buckie’s high street.

This store has benefitted from a new kitchen installation, and now provides a selection of freshly made café food, including sandwiches, soups and home bakes, made on the premises. It also specialises in food to go, takeaway coffee and ice cream.

Additional changes to the store include a new jewellery and gift shop area.

The second Pozzi shop, also in Buckie’s high street, has used the finance to support new frontages and further core work to the building. The Elgin based store, Bijou, has expanded its Clarins beauty salon, and given its existing coffee shop a facelift with new colour scheme, furniture and the new cross group branding.

Since the upgrade, Pozzi’s has enjoyed an increase in customer trade, and to cater for the demand, has recruited four extra members of staff. Funds have also been used to upgrade and refurbish Bijou by the Sea, a restaurant and coffee shop located on the beach front at Portessie, with new flooring, restrooms and kitchen upgrades.

The refurbishments have brought all premises together under the same branding for the first time, and the new corporate identity has been further enhanced with the addition of renewed websites.

Susan Rowand, HSBC head of business banking in Scotland, said: “It’s fantastic to see a long serving family business of nearly 30 years continue to contribute to the local economy through more services and new jobs. We were more than happy to enable David and his team to realise their growth ambitions and support diversification of the business.”

The business moved its full banking facilities to HSBC where the finance comes as a part of the bank’s national £10 billion SME fund to actively support UK SMEs, of which £500 million is specifically designated to support Scottish firms.

David Robertson said: “The excellent support from HSBC has allowed us to put our future growth plans into action. Thanks to the bank, we’ve been able to completely refurbish, rebrand, and most importantly, diversify our offering. With our core business of news and stationery coming under modern day pressures it was very important to reposition the business for many years to come. We’re excited by the increase in customers in what is a challenging retail climate, and hopefully our new offerings will attract visitors and locals to use our stores more and more. We are already looking at further developments with HSBC and it is refreshing to work closely with a bank again.”