Operating in the scenic harbour town of Portsoy on the Moray Firth coast, Portsoy Community Enterprise manages two iconic community assets: The Boat Shed, a centre for maritime heritage and events, and The Sail Loft, a modern bunkhouse drawing visitors to the Aberdeenshire coast.
Portsoy Community Enterprise is rooted in place. Operating in the scenic harbour town of Portsoy, it manages two iconic community assets: The Boat Shed, a centre for maritime heritage and events, and The Sail Loft, a modern bunkhouse drawing visitors to the Aberdeenshire coast.
These facilities are more than bricks and mortar. They provide employment, preserve local identity, and bring people together.
Before the pandemic, the organisation’s venues were thriving. The Sail Loft offered quality accommodation to tourists, while The Boat Shed hosted community events that celebrated local culture. But when COVID-19 hit, bookings dried up and revenue plummeted. The organisation found itself in a precarious position, unsure how to move forward.
Storm Damage
Portsoy Community Enterprise had weathered difficult times before, but this was different. The unique challenge of maintaining heritage infrastructure without footfall, income or certainty required not just financial solutions, but a new way of thinking about viability. Trustees and staff were stretched, and the future of both The Boat Shed and The Sail Loft hung in the balance.
Facing serious financial pressure, the trustees approached Just Enterprise for Business Support. What we delivered was not just advice, but practical and tailored guidance that enabled them to rethink their operations.
Changing Course
Through the Business Support strand of the programme, Portsoy was matched with a consultant who understood the challenges of running community businesses in rural areas. In just one focused session, the team revisited their assumptions, reworked their business model, and identified new ways to build resilience.
For example, the organisation began looking at new ways to market The Sail Loft outside the traditional tourist season, diversifying their appeal to include activity groups and off-season retreats. They also refined pricing strategies and reviewed staffing models to align more closely with projected demand. These practical changes were enabled by clear financial modelling and scenario planning developed with their Just Enterprise advisor.
“It changed my way of thinking,” said Trustee Richard Thorne. “We stopped just reacting and started planning.”
Practical Changes, Real Results
The results were tangible and immediate. Bookings at The Sail Loft increased, turnover rose into a higher income bracket, and the enterprise became less reliant on grant funding. Crucially, local jobs were preserved and the organisation emerged with a clearer, more sustainable strategy.
This had a ripple effect beyond the organisation itself. Staff were not only retained – they became part of a renewed effort to reposition Portsoy as a year-round destination. This, in turn, brought benefits to other local businesses such as cafés, shops, and activity providers, helping sustain the broader rural economy during a time of national uncertainty.
Importantly, these changes didn’t come at the expense of their mission. The enterprise remained community-led, rooted in heritage, and open to all. But it now had a more sustainable foundation – one that balanced social purpose with commercial viability.
Beyond Survival: Finding Safe Harbour
Community engagement remained central to operations. The Boat Shed resumed its role as a gathering point – hosting workshops, events, and intergenerational activities that helped rebuild community spirit after the isolation of lockdown. Rather than scaling back its social aims, Portsoy Community Enterprise emerged with a stronger ability to deliver them.
The journey hasn’t ended. With a clearer view of its potential and the tools to plan strategically, Portsoy Community Enterprise is now exploring new opportunities, including partnerships, heritage apprenticeships, and expanded use of its facilities. It is a powerful reminder that with the right support, community organisations in even the most rural areas can thrive – economically, culturally, and socially.
Portsoy’s story is one of many across Scotland’s rural communities, where small organisations play outsized roles. It shows how targeted, hands-on support from Just Enterprise can unlock confidence, shift thinking, and enable meaningful change.
As Richard puts it:
Just Enterprise didn’t just give us advice – they gave us the tools and confidence to rebuild.”