Fresh Faces at Grandtully Coffee House

Rachel said she was glad the business had grown so much in the last year that each of the different Grandtully enterprises could become more focussed. “We are delighted Julie has joined us because we want to exploit her very strong business development skills.

“Our coffee house is not simply a place that serves great beverages and food. It has a special, magical atmosphere that has made it a meeting place for friends from all over Perthshire. We want to build on that, and encourage more innovation.”

Rachel added: “With Sarah joining us, we have someone with lots of ideas for developing our menu, and enhancing the experience we try to give to every visitor.”

Julie Collier, who lives in Bankfoot and is a leading member of the Perthshire Businesswomen’s Network, has had a successful career in marketing and business management in different parts of the UK. However, she was eager to try something different.

“I was attracted by the fact that Legends’ expansion plans required someone with a strong business background,” she said. “My first few weeks have been a hugely enjoyable learning curve, and with Sarah’s support I have already found my feet.”

Sarah had worked for Fern Cottage for five years but was looking for a job nearer home. Now she is literally only a minute away as she lives in The Paddock, next door to Legends. “It was at a chance meeting at New Year in the Inn on the Tay that I learnt about the vacancy, and I am looking forward to working with Julie on finding new ways of attracting more and more people to the coffee house.”

After being closed in January, the retail side of the Grandtully businesses has been revamped. Chocolatier is now selling its wide range of hand-crafted chocolates in a much-expanded chocolate sales area in one of the gift showrooms, an improvement much praised by customers buying gifts for Valentines Day, Mothers Day and Easter. Moving chocolate sales from the coffee house allows it to seat people more comfortably as the tourist season approaches.