The Humbie Hub is a village shop, Post Office and café with community at its heart. For locals and travelers alike, the Hub provides essential services and is a vibrant centre of activity that has transformed the area. Humbie Hub was originally a house, shop and Post Office with gardens and some outbuildings before it was bought and renovated by Patrick and Linda Flockhart in 2013 with the plan to give people in the community a place to meet.
When Patrick and Linda took over the building, a small team of three kept the Post Office and shop operating, opening for longer hours and offering a larger selection of stock and while the work in progress continued in the background, the couple nearly trebled turnover in the first year. The renovations were completed in 2015, and now meant that the property featured a much larger shop, open plan Post Office, holiday flat, office space with a meeting room, artist studio and a therapy room. The team at Humbie Hub has grown considerably since opening, now employing 25 people part-time and four volunteers. The site offers catering for local family celebrations, supplies Glenkinchie Distillery with baking, and operates the Post Office far beyond its contracted hours, illustrating the couple’s aim to serve the community. Humbie Hub holds monthly art exhibitions organised by volunteers to show the local talent in the community.
The community benefits from having a larger shop with a variety of homemade food and longer Post Office opening hours. The business offers employment to school kids and students, growing their confidence. The shop stocks arts and crafts made by the community and welcomes visitors with food and drink sourced from local producers. Cycling groups often enjoy the garden space, while the holiday flat welcomes tourists from around the world, while serving as an additional space for families hosting large get-togethers.
The Hub is powered and heated by renewable energy for which it has received the local Best Green Business award in 2015. The Hub was recognised by the Scottish Civic Trust, with a My Place Award, which recognises architectural buildings that make positive difference to local communities. The Hub has also won the Countryside Alliance Award in 2023 for Best Village Shop and Post Office in Scotland. The business prides itself on catering for everyone young and old in the community and beyond, as it did during Covid by delivering supplies to residents. After receiving accreditation for its café, Humbie Hub was awarded Taste our Best Award from Visit Scotland, for the local produce used for cooking and baking.
Humbie Hub employs people aged 14 to 70, exemplifying their strap line of “For community and beyond – Meeting, Making and Sharing”. Humbie Hub prides itself on exceptional customer service and its ability to serve visitors from all walks of life in their community and beyond.