Café and deli in grounds of Scottish castle taps into electric car boom

A café and deli located within the grounds of a castle in Dumfries and Galloway has boosted its offering to locals and tourists after going electric.

OakHill Café & Deli, owned by partners Eshan Owarish and Suzy Johnson, opened in early 2022 and is located in the grounds of Carsluith Castle, on the A75, a key route connecting England with Northern Ireland, western Scotland and beyond.

Looking to increase footfall, the couple identified an opportunity to support the growing number of electric vehicle (EV) drivers using the A75.

OakHill Café & Deli opened in February 2022 and is located on the A75 on the grounds of Carsluith Castle.

With support from Business Gateway, the café was signposted to routes to funding through the climate resilience programme, which led to it securing an EV charger grant. The installation has allowed visitors to charge their vehicles while enjoying food and drink and has resulted in increased footfall and sales.

Owarish said: “Business Gateway was there for us from the very beginning, providing invaluable local insights when we were new to the area and helping us shape the business with confidence.

“The support we’ve received has made a real difference, and as we look ahead, we’ll be seeking their advice again as we explore the next stage, expanding and scaling OakHill while keeping it the welcoming, inclusive place our customers love.”

Gail MacGregor, chair of the Business Gateway board, said: “OakHill Café & Deli shows how rural businesses in Dumfries and Galloway can innovate to meet changing customer needs. By identifying a gap in local infrastructure and responding in a sustainable way, Eshan has strengthened his business and enhanced the visitor experience.”

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