Leith-based communications agency debuts retail and events space

A Leith-based communications agency whose clients include National Galleries of Scotland, the Sheraton and Gleneagles hotels and jeweller Hamilton & Inches has taken the wraps off a concept and coffee store as it looks to grow its overall brand.

On offer is a sustainable-focused range of products including non-toxic toiletries. Picture: contributed.

The move by Wonderhouse comes as it looks to grow turnover by a fifth and expand its team, by about two from seven currently, in 2020 – after a “brilliant” year in which it became more established.

The business is led by Rachael Grieve plus sisters Tamsin and Bryony Ansdell – who all hold the role of director. It launched in April 2016 with a focus on lifestyle brands – and earlier this year moved into new premises formerly housing two shops. It had been using one as its office and the other as pop-up space w2 for other brands.

But it has now decided to make the premises its own offering with a sustainable-focused range of products including plants, stationery plus non-toxic toiletries and candles.

From left: sisters Tamsin and Bryony Ansdell with fellow Wonderhouse director Rachael Grieve. Picture: contributed.

The non-traditional ethos of the firm means the new division “does feel like quite a natural fit,” Tamsin told The Scotsman.

Suppliers include beauty line Montamonta, the brainchild of Glaswegian cosmetic scientist Montague Ashley-Craig whose products are also stocked in high-end department store Liberty, and Bare Bones Chocolate also from Glasgow. Furthermore, a fashion sale is in the diary for February.

In addition local coffee from Edinburgh roastery Obadiah is served, the site can be used as a quiet workspace, and there are plans to run evening events, with say a professional or lifestyle focus, “that just use the space and bring it to life a bit,” Tamsin added.

Additionally, the business is mulling the development of its own Wonderhouse-branded product line encompassing, say, lifestyle products for the home. “One of the things that we’re really excited about is using this [space] as a testbed to see what sort of products are exciting and then developing our own,” Tamsin added.

As for the comms side of the business, the brands it works with are growing in stature and “really exciting,” Tamsin said. “We can keep growing the team and the ambition of the agency… we’re hoping we can stay ahead of the curve.”