Having the foresight to see the value in invigorating a tried and trusted way of shopping has proved to pay dividends for an entrepreneur and the local community.
A Whitehills greengrocer has become a pillar of the local community since it reopened in new premises in 2022 thanks to a £625,000 funding boost from Royal Bank of Scotland.
Three years ago, greengrocer Billy Gatt secured £625,000 funding from Royal Bank of Scotland to prepare for the future, building a new premise for local convenience store, Premier Whitehills.
Billy, who has lived in Whitehills for almost 40 years, has worked to save local businesses throughout his career - including stepping in as postmaster after the post office closed and working with the council to become a drop off for books after the library shut its doors.
Premier Whitehills owner Billy Gatt and Granddaughter Bethany Gatt
Having opened the original premise of the shop back in 2005 with his wife, the couple recognised the need for a better store to serve their community more effectively following an especially busy period during COVID-19. The pair designed plans for a store that would be wheelchair and pram accessible and saw an opportunity to add a café and food production business, with Auntie Meg’s Kitchen opening in the next unit to serve sit in and takeaway meals.
The financing for the new premises was facilitated by Royal Bank of Scotland, Billy’s business bank since the 80’s when he first started his career in the fishing industry. The financial support has been instrumental in bringing the vision of a new, improved store to life, and since opening the premises, Premier Whitehills has continued to evolve, enhancing its offerings and maintaining a strong focus on the local community. Its efforts have also been recognised with the "Best New Store" and "Scottish Local Retailer of the Year" awards at the 2023 Scottish Local Retailer Awards.
Premier Whitehills and Auntie Megs staff
Premier Whitehills regularly supports local groups and charities through donations of food, hampers, and vouchers and is a major donor to the Whitehills Gala, which raises funds to maintain the local community park. During the pandemic, the original store location also donated food to local foodbanks and ensured essential products were available by going the extra mile to source stock from wholesalers.
Billy Gatt, owner of Premier Whitehills said: “We are incredibly grateful for the funding from Royal Bank of Scotland, which allowed us to transform our new premises into a vibrant and welcoming space for our customers. The move enabled us to offer more than a shop, allowing for space to expand our community work and grow the catering business. We’re excited to continue growing Auntie Meg’s and serving our community better than ever before.”
Looking ahead, Premier Whitehills remains committed to supporting local groups and charity initiatives, including its book house in partnership with The Rainbows and Mens Shed.
Gary Summers, senior relationship manager at Royal Bank of Scotland, added: “Over the past two years, we've seen Premier Whitehills not just grow the business but also give back to the community through the offering of their shop and adjoined Auntie Meg’s Kitchen. The popularity of their new premises has shown the value of anticipating local needs and building a business with purpose, offering more than the typical local store.
“We are proud to have played a role in their journey with assistance in acquiring their new premises. Their dedication to community support exemplifies the spirit of partnership we strive to foster, and we look forward to their continued success."