Imagine sipping your coffee in a beautifully converted gothic church – sounds pretty amazing. That’s exactly what you’ll find at The Culdee in Monifieth! This unique spot isn’t just a coffee shop; it’s also a vibrant art gallery that hosts all sorts of fantastic events throughout the month, including jazz nights and sessions.

Having just opened its doors in November 2024, The Culdee was relying solely on its Facebook and Instagram pages. While word-of-mouth was certainly spreading, customers were often finding them by happy accident! To truly grow, The Culdee knew they needed a stronger online presence. They wanted a proper website where customers could easily find them and, importantly, book tickets for their events online. They also had their eye on a high-speed oven to whip out food faster and keep customers happy.

The Culdee applied to Angus Council’s SME Start & Grow Grant scheme, and the funding they received has made a huge difference to their business. Their brand-new website, complete with stunning professional photography, has totally transformed their online visibility. They’ve seen a huge increase in social media followers, and their coffee shop is often fully booked – a great problem to have! The website’s booking system has been a game-changer, helping them manage expectations, ensure a smooth experience for customers, and even take deposits for events, which has significantly reduced no-shows and wasted resources.

And that high-speed oven? It’s been a massive hit! They’re now serving food to customers up to 20 times faster than before. This means everyone gets their order quickly, leading to a much more positive experience and ensuring they’ll want to come back for more.

Director Gillian Noble said: “We are very grateful to Invest in Angus for the grant. The proceeds have allowed us to develop a professional website and booking system. It helps us to showcase our beautiful building and what we offer at The Culdee. The high-speed oven really does make a difference too – it has improved our service and ability to manage tables so much. Service is everything to us.”

The Angus Council SME Start & Grow Business Grants were funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Grants were delivered by Angus Council’s Invest in Angus team, supported by Business Gateway.