About the business
Founded by Lorna Macaulay in May 2019, Lorna’s Larder is a new artisanal food outlet business in Leverburgh, serving fresh homemade food in South Harris. Lorna started the business after many years’ experience of owning and operating a successful café and events catering business in Edinburgh. Both originally from Harris, Lorna and her partner Grant have a natural affinity for the Hebridean way of life and recently returned to the island, where Lorna took the leap to launch her new business.
Business Gateway’s support has really helped me to clarify my objectives for Lorna’s Larder.
How Business Gateway has helped
In order to help launch her new business, Lorna approached Business Gateway Outer Hebrides for support. In addition to a one-to-one session with a business adviser, Business Gateway helped Lorna to develop her business plan, set objectives and identify potential sources of funding. Business Gateway is currently assisting Lorna to source appropriate guidance from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, with a view to extending her home-based premises to accommodate more customers.
Lorna Macaulay, owner of Lorna’s Larder, commented: “Business Gateway’s support has really helped me to clarify my objectives for Lorna’s Larder, and my adviser has opened my eyes to potential funding and business development opportunities that I didn’t even know existed. I’m looking forward to working with Business Gateway to continue developing the business.”
Derek Maclean, Business Adviser at Business Gateway Outer Hebrides, added: “Lorna’s passion for delicious, homecooked food combined with our business support has helped Lorna’s Larder get off to a fantastic start. Lorna had a clear vision to provide high quality meals for customers throughout Lewis and Harris, but Business Gateway advice has been the missing piece that helped to show her potential routes to grow the business.”
Support provided
1:1 Business Adviser
Advice on Business Plan
Advice on Funding
Advice on Premises
Routes to Funding
What’s next?
Since launching in May 2019, Lorna’s Larder has enjoyed an encouraging start, achieving an audience reach on Facebook of over 8000 people in their first weekend. Consequently, this resulted in the business operating at full capacity on its launch and the need to recruit a part-time staff member to help meet demand.
As well as providing healthy delicious meals for busy families and catering events in Lewis and Harris, Lorna has future plans to serve the island’s popular self-catering and tourism industry.
Get the support you need right now
You can connect with us through the contact form, call us or contact your local Business Gateway office.