Edinburgh roasters Cairngorm Coffee has appointed a new director and unveiled new packaging as part of its plan to pivot following the pandemic.

Harris Grant, Co-founder of the Edinburgh-based vegan fashion retailer Treen, has joined as Co-owner and Operations Director.

The Edinburgh business opened two coffee shops in the city centre, however, when the pandemic hit, the firm’s Melville Place and Frederick Street coffee shops suffered a 72.5% loss in 2020, as a result of the lockdowns.

This prompted founder Robi Lambie to focus the business’s efforts online to save the business, resulting in a 1,100% growth in online orders of clothing and coffee in 2021.

The business is now on track to turnover £1m for the first time in 2022, the company said.

Now, with both shops operating smoothly, Cairngorm has kicked-off its plans to futureproof the business as it begins a sales drive to recruit wholesale customers across Scotland and beyond, and launches a new Direct to Consumer subscription service.

“Our main focus had always been the shops, and it’s not an exaggeration to say I was in a state of severe panic when lockdown hit – we went from being on track for £1m turnover to near disaster,” Lambie said.

“However, looking back, it was the best thing that ever happened to the business. It made me expand my horizons and it opened my mind to what’s possible.”