A west Highland chocolate shop is enjoying the sweet taste of success after being awarded the highest possible quality rating by Scotland’s national tourism organisation.
Oban Chocolate Company on Corran Esplanade is extremely popular with visitors from near and far, and enjoys a large local clientele.
The shop, cafe and factory has now been upgraded from a four to a five star tourist shop following a recent inspection by a member of VisitScotland’s Quality Advisory Team.
Local husband and wife team Stewart and Helen MacKechnie established the Oban Chocolate Company in 2003.
They now employ a 20 comprising three full-time chocolatiers, a head baker, three retail staff, a cafe manager and nine waitinf staff, plus two part-time kids’ workshop supervisors.
Mr and Mrs MacKechnie were presented with their five star plaque and certificate by VisitScotland regional director David Adams McGilp, and industry relationship manager Alison Feaks.
Mr MacKechnie said: “It’s wonderful to have our 5 star grading in recognition of the quality of our products and the friendly service our shop offers. Helen and I are extremely lucky to have a fantastic, dedicated team and our top grading reflects all their hard work and enthusiasm to ensure we consistently achieve the very best standards in everything we do.”
Mr McGilp, said: “Stewart and Helen are a young and energetic couple who employ three full-time chocolatiers drawn from the local community and a legion of other staff to meet consistently high demand for their excellent customer offering.”
The top tourism grading is the latest in the shops awards which include being named one of its top 10 Most Delicious Chocolate Shops in Europe by travel company GoEuro.
Last month, the firm won Best Coffee Shop (North West) at the Scottish Independent Retail Awards and Best Wedding Cake Provider (North West) at the Scottish Wedding Awards.