About the business
Husband-and-wife team, Mahinda and Menaka Jayaratne, took over The Exchange Bar & Restaurant in late 2023, keen to offer a fresh take on dining, socialising and live music. The restaurant is based in the Trinity Chapel of Ease, which has been home to various businesses over the years, including as an art gallery and various restaurants, including Musa and Hop & Anchor.
The restaurant’s menu boasts some well-loved pub classics like burgers and pies, but also includes a range of rich Sri Lankan curries, including chicken, pork, slow-cooked beef, yellow fish and dhal. Its signature seafood and meat sharing shovels are also a popular hit with locals and visitors alike.
The support we’ve received from Business Gateway has been so valuable. I’d like to thank our adviser for all the support and advice, which has helped us get The Exchange off to the strongest start possible.
How Business Gateway has helped
Mahinda and Menaka worked with Business Gateway in Aberdeen to develop their business plan, and for advice on how to turn their ideas into a reality.
Through Business Gateway, the couple accessed a suite of start-up services, including one-to-one support from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on marketing, branding and HR.
Business Gateway also helped the pair brainstorm ideas on how to attract more customers to the premises and improve their online reviews on Tripadvisor and Google.
Mahinda said: “The support we’ve received from Business Gateway has been so valuable. I’d like to thank our adviser for all the support and advice, which has helped us get The Exchange off to the strongest start possible.”
Support Provided
1:1 Business Advice
Business Plan Advice
Marketing Advice
Specialist Support
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