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Business legend Sir Tom Farmer returns to his roots to open significant new Leith business

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Tom Farmer launched his billion pound car repair empire from his boyhood neighbourhood of Leith. Now he returns to officially open one of the dockland area’s latest business success stories.

Sir Tom Farmer with Anna St. Clair, founder of the ceramic experience

On Tuesday, 7 December, Sir Tom opened a new headquarters and studio for The Ceramic Experience, the fast-growing paint-your-own pottery studio chain which in less than five years has become the largest company of its kind in Britain. The Ocean Terminal location for the new studio brings it into the heart of one of Edinburgh’s most vibrant tourism and leisure communities, adjacent to the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Sir Tom, who started his first business Tyres & Accessory Supplies in Leith at the age of 23, went on to found the Kwik Fit chain before selling it to Ford Motors for £1.2 billion. As well as being Chairman and principal shareholder of Hibernian football club, Sir Tom has recently launched a new franchised operation called Tyres ‘n’ Wheels @ Farmer Autocare.

He said the success of The Ceramic Experience highlighted the entrepreneurial energies and skills that Scotland possesses. “The Ceramic Experience’s founder Anna St.Clair had a clear vision for a successful, fast-growing company that has created an entirely new market for leisure-time activities for people of all ages,” Sir Tom said.

In addition, he said, The Ceramic Experience’s franchise structure demonstrated the strong business potential of that approach, and meshed with his own current success with Tyres ‘n’ Wheels @ Farmer Autocare.

Sir Tom added: “I grew up in a two-bedroom tenement flat here in Leith, and at 15 I got my first job as a stores boy for a tyre firm. Forty years ago, Leith was where I started my first business, and it gives me great pleasure to see how the area has developed since then. The Ceramic Experience exemplifies Leith’s new image as a modern, commercially successful neighbourhood, and I have no doubt that Anna St.Clair and The Ceramic Experience will enjoy the same success from their Leith base that I have had.”

The Ceramic Experience’s new Leith studio is its sixth, and with five more studios set to open in February, it has become the largest operation of its kind in the UK. Anna St.Clair said the firm was also receiving strong expressions of interest internationally, with studios expected to open shortly in France, Germany, and the Middle East.

The Ceramic Experience’s factory in Scotland supplies the studios with the “bisque”, the unpainted pottery in a huge variety of sizes and shapes. At the studios, the customers are supplied with everything from stamps and stencils to aprons, brushes, tiles and paint, all of which are non toxic and food safe. The company offers franchisees full training and ongoing back-up and support.

The format includes a cafe along with a soft play area for children. Birthday parties for children are a key market, with each child painting an item either in acrylic (which they can take away with them immediately) or in underglaze, which they can leave to be fired for pick up a day or so later. The studio provides the food and makes all the arrangements. Other markets include hen nights or office get togethers, where customers can bring wine and unwind for an informal and entertaining evening.

For further information, please contact: Anna St. Clair, on 0131 554 4455
OR
email: anna@theceramicexperience.com

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