Harry Gow bakery thanks customers for their 'phenomenal' loyalty that has helped the long-established Inverness business weather the Covid economic storm
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AS a firm deeply rooted in the local community, bakery firm Harry Gow has every reason to be grateful to the way the Highland community has supported the business over the last few months.
Director Fraser Gow, a fifth generation member of the Inverness baking dynasty, said: “The loyalty of our customers has been phenomenal and their continued support in shopping local is very much appreciated. It’s what the recovery of our business and many other businesses depends upon.
“As far as we are concerned it’s been nothing short of hard graft over the last six months and as a family we’d like to show our appreciation to our very loyal staff who have been with us, and continue to be with us, every step of the way.”
Whatever the current challenges, the family firm is remaining positive about its long-term future.
“Looking ahead we are getting back to our pre-Covid strategy of investing in the business, looking at new product development, etc,” Mr Gow said.
“We, like everyone else, are desperate for normality to return.”
Claire Moistner, manager of Harry Gows’ Union Street branch, said business had been picking up since the shop reopened in July, although a number of city centre firms which had provided regular customers remained closed or had shifted their focus to home working.
There had also been a reduction in the number of older customers visiting the shop as more vulnerable members of the community continued to shield or avoid the city centre.
“It’s good that there are still businesses around us that are able to open, but it is a struggle for everyone,” she said.
“But everyone is now back to work in the shop and that’s good.”
However, it had meant some adjustment to coping with “the new normal” of doing business amid pandemic restrictions. “Coping with masks and social distancing was a bit wearying at first, but now it is just common. It would feel a bit strange if you didn’t wear a mask,” she added.
“We’re not back to our full range of products because not everyone is back to work in the bakery and we are a bit more limited in what we can do, but we still have a great selection of stock.”
In addition to its city centre shop, Harry Gow also has a number of other stores in Inverness and across the north of Scotland, from Dornoch to Keith.
It also supplies shops and supermarkets throughout the region.
