Member of the Month – Strut

Everyone in Nairn knows of Brambles and Ink & Pink and the wonderful clothes they sell. Owner Georgina has been talking with us about her newest venture, “Strut” opening in April on Leopold Street.

How it started
“Hailing from Stirling originally, I studied at the Scottish College of Textiles in the borders while establishing a business alongside. In 2000, I purchased an exhibition unit and trailed the length and breadth of Britain selling my wares. I met my husband Andrew at Burgie Horse Trials during the summer of 2001, and the rest, as they say, is history!  I’m everything from bottle washer to buyer and cleaner to cashier.  There is never a dull moment.”
Brambles was established in 2002 and has just celebrated 20 years of business. Ink and Pink followed in 2015 and Avi Boutique opened in Aviemore in February 2020 at the start of Covid.

Strut!
Strut will be the 4th shop in the offering between Nairn and Aviemore. Opening on April 8th, Strut will have 3 staff who are well known Nairn faces. All of the staff are looking forward to opening the doors & enjoying a celebration day with special opening day offers, prizes and, of course, bubbly!  Brambles and Ink&Pink will join the celebrations with special offers too.
Georgina agreed that “The current financial climate has definitely cast a shadow in recent months, but there is light at the end of the tunnel in particular with electricity prices falling in recent weeks.” She remembers the sombre mood after the crash of 2008 but how the country tightened its purse strings and adapted quickly, lessening the impact – so is optimistic that we will weather this crisis and come out the other side.

Where will the future lead?
Having instructed her sons to tell her “No” to any further signs of expanding, Georgina will focus on Strut’s evolution as the customers guide the journey and influence the product selection the shop will carry.
Georgina also enlightened us about an endeavour she is now reaching the end of, with her digital advances which see the integration of the new till system with a brand new website. This new site will replace the current site shortly although the address will remain the same: www.inkandpink.co.uk 
“Covid changed the business climate in a crazy frenzied way … it has moved the technical side of things along swiftly and it’s definitely a time of keep up or get out!” – Wise words indeed! Getting training and consulting experts on technical issues is so important.

Georgina said she is “Very proud to be part of Nairn’s Town Centre. Nairn has weathered the Covid storm and the ups and downs of the current climate astoundingly well.  I think we have a wonderfully diverse and interesting high street that many a visitor remarks upon.” long may she continue to be a feature of it!