Heard it on the Grapevine?

Trond Dalby and Will Haegeland have been successfully running the County Hotel in Selkirk for almost twelve years. In that time they have successfully built up a strong reputation as the central place for locals and groups such as the String Jam Club to meet as well as welcoming visitors from all over the world.

Trond and Will have always seen the Scottish Borders as a key destination for visitors but strongly believe that the opening of the Borders Railway has meant that the area is now far more accessible particularly to the lucrative Edinburgh market. Last year they successfully launched their ‘Flower of Yarrow’ accommodation package and worked with the Selkirk Chamber of Trade to bring groups from the steam train to Selkirk with the Sir Walter Scott experience as well as opening up the Grapevine a new eating and drinking concept for the town. Trond and Will see 2016 as a key year for Borders Tourism as the area benefits from all the worldwide media that the new railway has attracted. For this reason Trond and Will have decided to expand the business further and open up a Grapevine restaurant in Douglas Bridge, Galashiels just opposite the new Railway and Interchange.

Will Haegeland said:
“This is an exciting time for the Scottish Borders with all the opportunities that the Borders Railway brings and we are delighted to be part of the business community in Selkirk and now Galashiels ensuring that visitors have a wonderful experience when they are here.

Our aim for the Galashiels outlet is to be a “big brother” of the Selkirk version, with a more extensive, innovative food offering. Grapevine will be changing throughout the day, from an illy Coffee House during the morning, a place for informal business meeting to an informal lunch place, a place for after-noon tea and high tea in the afternoon to a Prosecco and Gin Bar in the evening, offering sharing platters and light bites. Grapevine Galashiels will in addition have a full-service restaurant with modern Scottish cuisine at the medium price level.”

Will and Trond were delighted when Riddell Graham, Director of Partnerships at VisitScotland officially launched the Grapevine in Galashiels. A special Cocktail Party was held where guests from the local community enjoyed special Edinburgh Gin Cocktails in honour of the Borders Railway which connects the Borders with the Capital and the Capital with the Borders.

Riddell Graham said:
“I am delighted to help launch and promote this great new business and with it the creation of new jobs for Galashiels and the Borders. It was always recognised that the reintroduction of the railway to the central Borders provided huge opportunities for the local economy but at the end of the day it would be up to the private sector with support from public agencies to realise these opportunities. Will and Trond are to be congratulated for taking the leap of faith with their new venture which will provide a fantastic new facility to be enjoyed by visitors arriving in the town by train and local people”.

Bright Light Marketing have worked with the Grapevine to deliver all aspects of their marketing campaign to successfully launch it both in Selkirk and now in Galashiels. This has included development of the brand identity and signage for Grapevine, a contemporary new website for the County Hotel and the Grapevine, organisation of the launch event, a Press and PR campaign as well as a dedicated social media campaign. This has certainly helped to get the Grapevine off to a flying start and has generated exposure for the venture, which they richly deserve.

For more information on how we could help to get your business noticed please contact Janice Nisbet 01750 505051 or by email.

<< News