Living Wage Scotland are delighted to add One20, Edinburgh’s new wine-cafe with luxury food and wine boutique to follow soon, to our growing list of accredited Living Wage employers in the Hospitality. Father and son duo, Ronnie and Kyle Reid have created an art lovers dream located in the New Town, on Dundas Street. Situated among a diverse array of galleries and antique shops, One20 has been a remarkable success since it opened its doors in mid-July of this year.
The venue is home to over 250 wines which accompany a wide range of charcuterie, cheeses, light meals and patisserie. There is no doubt that it is a dream born of passion, careful consideration and acute attention to detail and this applies to the staff too. For the Reids, it made both ethical and business sense to become an accredited Living Wage Employer and their commitment will see every staff member receive a minimum hourly wage of £8.75. This rate is significantly higher than the statutory minimum for over 25s of £7.83 per hour introduced in April 2018, especially within the catering trade.
Co-owner, Ronnie Reid commented:
“Paying the real Living Wage has always been part of the original plan. It felt like a lovely direction to go in from an ethical stance but it also seemed sensible to us from a business perspective. We value our staff and all of the hard work they have put in to making this new adventure a success. That value should be rewarded; being an accredited Living Wage Employer is just one of the ways we show gratitude for all the great work our team does to make this dream a reality.”
With hospitality the only sector in Scotland where paying less than the rLW is the norm, Living Wage Scotland have been engaging with hospitality employers to discuss the business benefits which it has brought to others in the industry. These include increases in staff retention, engagement, productivity and customer service. For One20, the reviews speak for themselves; since opening just six weeks ago, customers have been praising more than just the food and wine, describing the service as ‘first class’ and ‘outstanding’. It is clear to see that One20 is offering a unique experience, one which should be celebrated for showing leadership in more ways than one!