Latest news with #Elgin-based
Press and Journal
27-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Johnstons of Elgin posts £305k loss after tough year for luxury market
One of Moray's most historic employers, Johnstons of Elgin, reported a pre-tax loss of £305,000 last year after what it called a 'challenging year' for the global luxury sector. The result marks a sharp decline from the £4.6 million profit the family-owned company posted in 2023. Johnstons, a cornerstone of Elgin's economy for over 225 years, saw annual sales fall by 6% to £94.2m, down from £100m the previous year. The company had flagged the slowdown in September when it announced jobs were being cut at its Elgin mill. Newly filed accounts show that demand fell more sharply than expected in 2024, forcing Johnstons to restructure parts of its business and absorb increased overheads, including wage inflation. Despite difficult trading conditions, there were bright spots. Its retail division performed strongly, growing its turnover by 4%. The growth was fuelled by improved online sales and strong footfall at its flagship stores – including a new location at London's prestigious Burlington Arcade. Managing director Johanna Wallace said the business entered 2024 expecting further growth, but demand quickly fell away due to global economic uncertainty and changing consumer behaviour. 'It took time to react to the subsequent downturn shift in the market, resulting in inefficiencies in our mills and some restructuring costs,' she wrote in the company's strategic report. The firm said it expects the luxury market to stabilise over time, but that growth will likely be slower than in recent years. 'We continue to invest in additional capacity to meet future growth demands of our private label clients and the Johnstons of Elgin brand,' added Ms Wallace. The Elgin-based manufacturer produces high-end cashmere and woollen garments, both under its own Johnstons of Elgin label and for major international luxury brands. Products are made from start to finish in Scotland, with spinning, weaving, finishing and embroidery all carried out at its Elgin and Hawick sites. Despite the downturn, chief executive Chris Gaffney said the company remains focused on long-term strategy. This includes investing £4.7m in capital projects, including expanding capacity at both mills and upgrading machinery. Mr Gaffney also highlighted a £5.4m improvement in the company's cash position, driven by tight control over working capital. 'Following consistent growth averaging 25% per annum in the three years after the pandemic, the volumes that were forecasted for 2024 did not come to fruition due to the well-documented slowdown in the luxury market,' he said. 'Our cost structure is now aligned with our forecast for 2025 and we are budgeting for a return to profit this year. 'We expect the luxury market to return to more normal levels of growth in the coming years and are well positioned to benefit from our vertically integrated, made in Scotland, supply chain. 'Everything we sell is either woven, knitted or made into garments by our talented craftspeople in our own mills.' Johnstons of Elgin currently employs 1,185 staff across its operations, with most roles based in Elgin.
Press and Journal
26-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Why popular Lossiemouth fish and chip shop is expanding to meet growing demand from tourists and locals
Andrea Steel is living her dream by running The Galley fish and chip shop in Lossiemouth alongside husband Jamie. As a youngster, she worked in a chipper in her hometown Hopeman. Later in life, she worked for Elgin-based architectural practice CM Design for 15 years. Meanwhile, Jamie's career path has seen he serve as an merchant navy engineer and then work as a heating engineer with Scottish Gas for 20 years. Now he is balancing his own business Northern Energy Technical Services Ltd with working in the fish and chip shop. Almost nine years ago, the couple took over The Galley in Lossiemouth. The pair have lived next door to the shop though since the early 2000s and for years joked about buying the business. So, when the opportunity came about they took the plunge. Now they want to extend the shop to meet the demands of the large number of customers coming in for food every week. Last January, plans were approved to build a shop extension which will create more room for storage. Meanwhile, the customer area will be increased and changes to the frontage including the single door entrance being replaced by double doors. It is hoped this will help with the build up of long lines of customers at the till during the peak season. The renovation is expected to take place later this year or into the start of 2026. Andrea said: 'The shop is currently really tight for space so we need to increase the customer area and storage space at the back. 'The new double doors in the middle at the front will make it easier for customers to get in and out of the shop. 'Especially as it can get really congested with customers lining up for the till. 'Every summer we get busier and busier, which is great for us.' She says the biggest challenge the chipper faces is the rising costs of everything. In 2016, when they took over the business, the price of a fish and chip supper was £6.79. Today the same order will cost you £9.50. Andrea said: 'The biggest challenge is the rising costs on electric, gas, packaging and food. 'Therefore, the margins are tight. She added: 'Everybody used to say a chippy was an affordable takeaway and sometimes it doesn't feel like that anymore. 'That's why we try to keep the prices down as low as we can 'At the moment, I haven't put my prices up yet in 2025 in line with everything else. I'm trying to hold off to give people a better deal.' The business gets their fish from Eat Mair Fish in Buckie. Andrea says people want fresh fish straight off the boat and how they cook everything fresh to order. She said: 'People want fresh fish because it is the best. 'I'm lucky I can get fish from Eric Mair at Eat Mair Fish in Buckie which means I don't have far to go if I run out, which has happened a few times. 'We take our annual holidays at Christmas time as that's when the fishing boats are off which makes sense as we can't get a delivery of fish until they start back up in the new year.' Andrea is happy about the location of The Galley on Clifton Road, where many people drive down to get to visit Lossiemouth's beaches. She said: 'It is the perfect location as you can stop off to pick up your fish and chips and then head down to the river or one of the two beaches. 'Lossiemouth is a super place to come when the sun is shining and even when the sun is not shining it is too. 'The town is thriving and bustling with great beaches, restaurants, shops and people go out their way to help you.' She thanked her regular customers for the support which ensures the shop continues to be a popular spot in the town. They have a team of 12 youngsters who work in the dog-friendly shop. Last year, the business was a finalist in the Scottish Fish and Chips Awards.
Chicago Tribune
22-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Three U-46 teachers on leave after district learns of Chicago Public Schools ‘grooming' probe
School District U-46 is conducting an internal review of three teachers hired while under investigation for grooming and misconduct by Chicago Public Schools. A months-long investigation by NBC Chicago into allegations involving seven teachers previously employed at Little Village Lawndale High School found that three of them are now working for Elgin-based U-46. 'We care very deeply for our students, and our fundamental commitment is to their well-being,' said Kristine Rogowski, director of communications and community relations. 'We believe that fostering a culture of safety is necessary for student learning and development so we have taken immediate action. 'The individuals (Charles Smith, Michael Abeja and Hans Krueger) identified in the report as being employed by our school district are on leave pending an internal review,' Rogowski said. Chicago Public Schools has been investigating allegations against the seven teachers for three years, with the final report expected to be done in June. The probe is looking at allegations made between 2009 and 2019 by former students in which it was alleged the teachers groomed teens and then started relationships with them after graduation, NBC Chicago reported. CPS was not required to disclose that information to U-46 or that the teachers were on their 'Do Not Hire' list, the news station reported. Rogowski said U-46 will reach out to CPS as well as state, county and law enforcement officials as part of their own review. Parents, guardians and students with information or concerns are asked to contact their building principal, she said. An internal records review showed that no formal complaints have been filed in regard to the three teachers during their time with the U-46, Rogowski said. 'When the Illinois State Board of Education takes action on a teacher's teaching license, the action is listed on the teacher's record in the licensing portal,' she said. 'We review all teaching licenses prior to hiring. As of today, there continues to be no notation on the licenses of the three teachers.' U-46 administrators learned about the investigation through the televised report, which aired this week. In response, the district sent letters to parents about its internal review and identified the teachers. Smith is an assistant principal at Abbott Middle School in Elgin. He was a principal at the Little Village Lawndale campus until being removed in February 2023, according to NBC Chicago. He resigned a few months later while being investigated, the TV news report said. He became assistant principal at Abbott Middle School in the 2022-23 school year, according to the school's website. Smith is a Loyola University Chicago graduate and earned a master's degree from National Louis University. His attorney told the TV station that Smith is confident he will be cleared of any alleged wrongdoing. NBC Chicago reported CPS's Office of Inspector General substantiated misconduct allegations against Abeja but did not go into further details. Abeja was born and raised in the Little Village neighborhood in Chicago. He received a bachelor's degree in art education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He taught eight years at CPS and two years at U-46, according to his bio. A third teacher, Hans Krueger, is part of CPS's ongoing investigation. He left the school system in 2017 and became a music teacher at U-46 in July 2020. Krueger works at the district's Dream Academy, an alternative education program in Elgin, as a music recording and production teacher.
Press and Journal
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
How best friend of courageous Elgin teen who cheerled through cancer continues to support her sparkly legacy
Emma Whitton doesn't remember a time that Abbie Main wasn't in her life. The two girls were inseparable from when they were just two years old due to their mums and older brothers being already close. They were in the same classes at school, staged their own X Factor competitions at home at weekends, competed side-by-side for the same cheerleading and dance squad and shared holidays. Emma, 22, said: 'It has always felt like we are sisters. We've always been close and such a big part of each other's lives.' So when Abbie was given the heartbreaking diagnosis her cancer was terminal when she was just 14 years old, it was her she confided in. The very same day as Abbie shared the news with her pal, the teens plotted the beginnings of a charity that would continue the legacy of the inspirational Elgin youngster from Emma's childhood bedroom. Abbie sketched the logo, decided it should be inspired by her beloved sparkles and gave it a mission to help families facing the same plight as she was with 'hospitals and stuff'. It was her way of giving back after so many causes had provided help to her with support including a laptop to play computer games with on in hospital, her beloved pet dog Skye and family holidays by the coast. More than seven years after Abbie's death on Christmas Day 2017 when she was 15, hundreds of thousands of pounds have been raised in her name by the charity that has now supported thousands of families. Emma and Abbie remained close right through their days at West End Primary School in Elgin. Friends from when they were toddlers, the bond strengthened as they got older. Emma said: 'Even weekends we would spend together. 'I remember the X Factor was really big at the time and we would put on these shows ourselves. 'Abbie and I were the back-up dancers for (Abbie's brother) Cameron and (Emma's brother) Angus was the IT-tech guy putting on the shows. 'That was pretty much every Saturday. 'We would also go on holidays together, almost as one big family. 'We were like sisters really. It wasn't like other friendships I've had, our families were always together.' Abbie was first diagnosed with cancer when she was just 10. After missing several years of school it was only with Emma's help that her friend returned to class at Elgin Academy late in S2. Emma said: 'She had missed that transition from primary school so I think it was quite intimidating for her. 'The school changed my timetable just so I could sit with her in class to make her more comfortable. She never wanted to be treated any differently though.' Some of Abbie's and Emma's most special times together came while competing for Elgin-based ASCD (All Stars and Stripes Cheer and Dance). The girls auditioned together when they were 12 and would have fun making up their own dance routines. When competing in competitions, Abbie would be the flyer, the one who was tossed high in the air to make spectacular somersaults. Emma would be the back spot, the one ready to catch her. She didn't want to place that same responsibility on anyone else. The team played a huge part in both of their lives. Even as Abbie was going through chemotherapy and operations, she was always back cheerleading as quickly as she could. And Emma insists the drive and determination for Abbie to keep doing what she loved kept her healthy for longer. She said: 'They are really special memories for me, we both absolutely loved it. 'Abbie loved the sparkles and glitter. She was very tidy too though, I remember her saying so many times after cheerleading 'Oh no, I've got glitter everywhere.' 'They were such special times for both of us, when I look back at the photos of us together there are so many from cheerleading. 'I think it was such a distraction for her when she wasn't well. 'She had such a passion for it, I genuinely think it kept her healthy and helped her to live longer.' When Abbie was told the news her cancer was terminal when she was just 14 it was Emma she wanted to be with. The two girls spent the night on Abbie's 'just in case plan', the two young girls still being in denial about the reality of the situation. They talked about her wishes for a celebration of her life, and her desire for a charity to be set up to help others with the same challenges she had faced. She gave it a name, 'The Sparkle Foundation', she sketched a logo and gave it a mission for it to help with 'hospitals and stuff'. Emma kept the notes in her cupboard and didn't take them out again until she was told Abbie had passed away. She said: 'It didn't actually feel real. She kept talking about it as her 'just in case plan', we didn't actually think it was going to happen. 'The main thing she wanted was the charity, she didn't want anybody to forget about her. 'She knew she had been helped by so many different people in different ways too though, she wanted other people to have the same. 'She said 'hospitals and stuff', but she knew what it meant. She said 'You know how Logan's Fund helped me with (her dog) Skye.' She also got a laptop to play The Sims while she was in hospital. 'She knew first-hand how important these gifts had been to her and she wanted to do the same thing.' Abbie's wish for a charity to be set up in her name was a secret she kept between her and Emma. It was only after she had passed away that Emma presented the handwritten notes she had kept stashed away in her cupboard to her friend's family. Within days though they had embraced her wishes and had registered Abbie's Sparkle Foundation. Money from the collection after Abbie's celebration was the first donation, followed by a fundraising auction held on what would have been her 16th birthday. Seven years later, the charity has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds in memory of Abbie from relentless fundraising by family, friends and supporters in Moray and beyond. Today the cause helps every child in Scotland facing cancer with gifts, called 'Sparkle Bags', delivered to hospitals. At Easter volunteers delivered 231 of the treats, which contain £100 Amazon vouchers so they can spend it on whatever they need most, sweet snacks and a special sparkly wristband. The group also has its own holiday cabin, Abbie's Sparkle Lodge, at Dalraddy Holiday Park near Aviemore, which was one of her favourite places to visit. Emma said: 'Abbie stayed at the caravan that Logan's Fund has in Lossiemouth and although it's just round the corner from Elgin, she really loved it. 'It makes such a difference to families just to relieve that financial burden of going on holiday, especially with trips to hospital and so many other things. 'We had all planned to go on holiday to Florida, but after Abbie was told she was in the final stages the insurance wouldn't cover it so we went to Center Parcs on the south coast of England instead. 'Abbie was just amazing, she showed incredible strength. 'She was cycling everywhere and climbing up the stairs to go down the water slides. Then after she went down it she would say 'Right, we're going again.' 'I was exhausted but Abbie just kept going. 'She just had this amazing determination and always wanted to live life to the fullest.' Abbie's Sparkle Foundation has been chosen by Press and Journal readers to be recipients from the P&J Community Fund. You can donate online to support them and Clan Cancer Support HERE.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Dumfries' David Bogie takes 12th win on McDonald and Munro Speyside Stages
David Bogie recorded a 12th win on the McDonald and Munro Speyside Stages on Saturday. The Dumfries driver and navigator co-driver John Rowan kicked off their Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship challenge in style. The duo dominated the Elgin-based event in their Skoda Fabia RS to finish 47 seconds ahead of their nearest challengers, despite suffering a puncture during their second loop of the stages. Castle Douglas' Jock Armstrong and Dumfries' Owen Paterson were sixth in their Fabia, one place ahead of the Proton Satria of Mark McCulloch of Dumfries. Keith and Mairi Riddick from Haugh of Urr finished 19th overall and fifth in class S2 on their four-wheel drive debut in a Mitsubishi Evo 8. Annan's Paul Gribben was on the notes in Aileen Forrest's Evo 9, with the pair 12th in class S2. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. Niall Cowan Jr of Dumfries steered his MG ZR to second in class S6, with the MG 3 of Niall Cowan fourth in class S7. And Newton Stewart's Craig McMiken and Dalbeattie's Greg Alcorn were fifth in class S11 in their Ford Escort Mk2. The next round of the Scottish Rally Championship is the Border Competitions Jim Clark Reivers Rally on May 25.
