A history of Blindcraft

BLINDCRAFT - originally called the Royal Blind Asylum - was founded in Edinburgh in 1793.

It moved into its current Peffer Place factory in 1972. More than half of its staff are blind or disabled.

The company has always relied on a subsidy from the council.

A drive for new business in 2008 won a contract to supply beds to John Lewis. But sales slumped by 22 per cent in 2009/10, to 1.58m.

It is estimated that costs for 2010-11 will be 3m, so income will be well short of expenditure - meaning the council has to plug the gap.