Entrepreneurs hail Glasgow as "perfect place" to launch new business as Scotland experiences busiest events season ever

Two young entrepreneurs have hailed Glasgow as “the perfect place” to launch a business, after experiencing a flurry of bookings since opening three months ago.

Best friends Afton Ferguson, 22, and Nikki Fairful, 25, opened The Haberdashery on Sauchiehall Street in April, and have since been “welcomed with open arms” by members of the events industry and the local community.

The pair have been inundated with viewings and requests, as Scotland’s events industry experiences one of its busiest ever seasons following two years of Covid cancellations. “We received more than 300 enquiries over our first weekend alone,” explained Afton.

“Since then, it’s been an absolute whirlwind. In the last three months we’ve hosted more than a dozen private and corporate events, and are carrying out viewings on a near daily basis. We’ve already started to receive enquiries about Christmas parties, which we have recently opened bookings for.

“We never could have imagined how busy it would have been so quickly after opening. People have travelled from across the country to view the space – the reception we’ve received so far has been amazing.”

Named after a ladies’ tailors that operated in the building for more than 50 years, The Haberdashery is the first venture by University of Strathclyde graduate Afton and Nikki, who left a career in the property sector to launch the business.

After initially spotting the empty unit, which had lain vacant for six years, on Gumtree, the pair spent nine months restoring the 6,604 sq ft building back to its original “grandeur”. The venue now boasts a modern bar and events space as well as a fully commercial kitchen, breathing new life into its traditional setting.

Afton continued: “Opening the venue was a bit scary, we launched the business shortly after Covid restrictions were eased, so we knew we were set to receive a wave of enquiries from people whose events had been cancelled.

“Not only that, but Glasgow’s events sector is extremely established and we weren’t sure how other venues would react to a new space opening up. However, the support we’ve received so far has been incredible.

The pair are hoping to build on their early success by hosting their first ever wedding show this autumn.

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