Business hub pioneered by Scottish rural estate visited by parliamentarians

Press Release
13 Jun 2023

An innovative business hub pioneered by a Scottish rural estate has been visited by the three of the SNP’s Westminster group including its leader, Stephen Flynn MP.

Rosemains Steading, located on Preston Hall Estate to the south east of Edinburgh, is a collection of nine workspaces completed in 2021 designed to provide small businesses with flexible premises and the opportunity to work side by side with other creative enterprises.

The steading is built around the courtyard of the original farm at Rosemains. The space has a central kitchen and office in which to meet and share ideas, collaborate and catch up. Recycled material from the old farm buildings has been used to create character and unique features.

As part of his visit, Mr Flynn was joined by Alyn Smith MP and local Midlothian MP, Owen Thompson, as the trio learned more about the work that Preston Hall Estate has undertaken to support other businesses and also spoke to the enterprises based within Rosemains Steading.

There are currently nine businesses based at Rosemains:

  • Common Coffee
  • Corr Cabins
  • Dreams Factory Photography
  • Kerr Brewery
  • Northwood Framing
  • Seilich Botanicals
  • The Micro Empire
  • Umbre and Ochre
  • Victoria Hopkins Interiors

As well as Rosemains Steading, Preston Hall Estate operates a huge number of its own enterprises, including its thriving events business, residential and holiday lets properties as well as a beautiful walled garden attraction.

In 2021, the estate was also named as the AgriScot Arable Farm of the Year.

Will Callander from Preston Hall Estate – who is also SLE South-East Regional Chair - said: “We’ve had great interest from stakeholders and politicians since opening Rosemains Steading and we’re pleased that Stephen Flynn, Alyn Smith and Owen Thompson could visit the site.

“We’ve worked hard at the estate to create a space that will support start-up enterprises, giving them both modern premises but also the chance to work beside other businesses that are on their own journey and learn what others are doing.

“Over time, our hope is that these businesses will be so successful that they will outgrow Rosemains Steading and move onto a larger workspace, leaving an opportunity for the next business start-up to move in. The MPs was keen to see how this concept was working and what could be done by politicians and government to enable successful growth and we appreciate the time taken to come and see us.”