Edinburgh city centre dessert shop re-opens with new owner, new name and half price opening weekend offer
Former Poundsavers man hopeful of success at new dessert shop
A dessert shop in Edinburgh city centre is officially re-opening this weekend with a new owner, new name and a half price opening weekend.
Faisal Ahmad, who used to run the nearby popular Poundsavers family-run hardware store which closed after 40 years of business earlier this year, has taken on the former Skoops shop on West Nicolson street, near the Pear Tree pub.
The dessert shop, which had operated since 2011, closed at the start of this month, with Faisal re-opening the shop as ‘Shake It Up’ this week, welcoming customers old and new this weekend to enjoy every item on the menu for half price, excluding pic n mix & soft drinks.
He said: “The previous owners were quite well established in the area. I took over two weeks ago and we spent one week freshening things up and training staff.
“This week we have been open to the public and we’re having an official opening on Friday, May 29, with a 50 per cent off deal on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We’ve been very lucky with the weather, perfect really, as people want an ice cream when it’s hot obviously. That’s why we rushed through the opening, while minor works are still going on in the shop.
“I have not changed too much, the menu is basically the same, just one or two minor adjustments. We are planning to have a major transformation later this year, after the Festival.
“It was always in the back of my head to operate a place like this, so when this opportunity arose, and because I know the area so well, I thought it would be great to take it over.
“Our property management company’s office is there, and I still have a bit of free time to take this on. So it’s been ideal.”
While still sad about the end of Poundsavers, Faisal is hopeful of a bright future for his new business, and he welcomes customer feedback at his new venture, which specialises in shakes, desserts and other sweet treats.
He said: “We have four staff just now, and hope to add more. I want to be something big on the dessert market, shake it up so to speak, hence the name. But just now it’s nothing drastic, just minor changes to get started.
“We are looking to give the customer a good product at a great price, with great customer service. Also, as I’m new to this field, I will take on board any feedback from the customers, they know best.
“I miss Poundsavers every day, but things obviously move on, and we are glad we are still in the area. We are still in the heart of Edinburgh, which is key for us.
“We are currently trying to get the word out there about this new venture, promote our story, particularly the half price weekend. And after that we hope to be here for many years to come.”