THE “Build the Mill” crowdfunding campaign being run by Scottish design house Prickly Thistle has won the backing of a major businessman.
Brian Souter, founder of transport giant Stagecoach and the president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), has lent his support to Clare Campbell who is currently looking to raise £500,000 to build what will be the only tartan weaving mill in the Highlands.
Souter said: "I met Clare for the first time when she presented at the ICAS annual conference. She explained to me her vision for a highly ambitious and modern contemporary tartan brand – with a business plan that is set to re-design the tartan industry from the Highlands. One that restores the full manufacturing of the cloth to its birthplace”.
Campbell, 39 and also a Chartered Accountant, said: “I am delighted that such a prominent businessman has given his support. I hope that this campaign to raise funds will help me build another global brand like Stagecoach that Scotland can be proud of.”
Founded by Campbell two years ago, the brand has struggled to find suitable manufacturing partners in Scotland in what is already a busy sector for the country’s economy.
As a result she took the step to build her own mill on the Black Isle by purchasing a farm steading that is suitable for conversion, and now has pre-planning approval for the project.
The Build the Mill campaign, hosted on crowd-funding site Kickstarter, aims to raise £500,000 to help complete the mill project.
Subscribers to the campaign on Kickstarter will be able to choose different levels of cash pledges for which they will receive products, or rewards for their support.
Souter added: “Re-shoring of manufacturing operations like Clare’s is key to the future of Scotland's economy, and I look forward to watching her business flourish.
"With that of course, I will be backing her Kickstarter campaign and I look forward to being part of the story that makes history for Scotland."
The campaign runs from today for two months. It will offer luxury reward gift items ranging from £15 to £8000, all of which are unique to the campaign or are numbered limited edition products.
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