Why a Fife cafe is closing on one of its busiest days of the year

The return of Lammas Market will lead to packed streets around St Andrews next week – but one business is deciding to close on one of the busiest trading days of the year

The oldest surviving medieval street fair starts on Friday and runs until August 16.

But one business is closing its doors for one of the busiest trading days of the year.

Social enterprise café We Are Zest will close so staff can find out how to deal with the cost of living crisis.

A package of support for staff

The move to close the shop is part of a package of support measures introduced by owner Lisa Cathro.

The cafe’s mission is to support people with additional needs, including mental health issues, it always closes for staff training during the fair because.

It provides a much-needed break to recuperate during high season and the noise and lights of the fair rides can cause sensory overload for autistic team members and those with anxiety.

On Tuesday morning the training topic will be personal money management from Kyle Watson, a partner at local independent financial advisers Whyte Sharpe Independent.

Mr Watson will give staff tips on budgeting, where to go for help and advice on savings schemes.

It’s the latest in a package of measures Zest is putting in place to help its staff with the Cost of Living crisis.

Ms Cathro has already spoken to staff to find out what their needs are.

This has seen her make advances on their monthly salaries available when an unexpected cost causes them financial and emotional stress.

She also offers them extra hours, where possible, doing non-café service tasks such as writing for its website and social media.

Fife cafe boss calls on other employers

Ms Cathro wants to see other employers take the same kind of creative approach to help staff.

She said: “All employers should be talking to their staff about how best to support them as individuals more than ever.

“It’s the best way to find out what will be most effective.

“Then get creative and look at the whole picture of their life.”

Mr Watson said: “I’m happy to be supporting local people and the businesses they work in through financial education.

“Financial planning is a life skill everyone needs to be good at and which should be taught in schools and other education settings.”

Ms Cathro has plans to set up a profit sharing scheme next year, once the social enterprise has  paid off debt it racked up during Covid lockdowns.

More inclusive recruitment needed

Meanwhile, Ms Cathro said there is a need for more inclusive recruitment to help people with disabilities find work.

She said “unconscious bias” from employers often prevents disabled people finding jobs.

“About 80% of our team are supported with disabilities, yet we have a 0.5% absenteeism rate versus the 2.2% UK average,” she said.

She said the business also has a much-reduced turnover of staff compared to other hospitality businesses.

Zest also has no issues attracting candidates or recruiting locally.

“Our staff have the same labour productivity as comparable teams,” Ms Cathro added.

“There are more than two million disabled people looking for employment.

“Often unconscious bias in recruitment filters them out, leaving that potential untapped.

“If employers open their eyes to the potential of these people and support them, they can improve their business, and bottom line, as well as do the right thing morally.”