© Lost Shore Surf Resort
13 December 2024
Lost Shore Surf Resort is the world’s first inland surf resort and Europe’s largest wave pool. Launched this Autumn, the attraction offers world-class surfing alongside waterside accommodation, a food market, retail outlets, a surf school, a wellness spa, nature trails and more as it seeks to get people physically and mentally active and enjoying the great outdoors.
As the business continues to make waves after its grand opening, we spoke with Lost Shore’s Founder, Andy Hadden to learn more about his connection to the city and Edinburgh community.
What inspired you to start a business in Edinburgh?
It’s the city I grew up in and where most of my friends, family and networks are from. This is helpful when you need to tap up people for a helping hand…
What makes Scotland’s capital a great place to do business?
It’s small enough so everyone knows each other but big enough to have all the resources you could need at your fingertips.
In what ways has the local community supported your business growth?
Those who bought into the plan, really bought into it, and because they knew we would be delivering something not just for profit, but for wider economic and health benefits that serve the community we live in, people and businesses have worked above and beyond to help make Lost Shore a reality.
Have you incorporated Edinburgh into the business in any way whether through products, branding or experiences?
In every facet of the project from staff to suppliers, from designers to consultants, we always looked locally first. In most cases, Edinburgh or at least Scottish-based companies and staff, made the cut.
What is your favourite part of living and working in Edinburgh?
The atmosphere and buzz created by the history and architecture of the city centre alongside contemporary shops, bars restaurants and cultural hotspots makes for exceptional summer days and cozy winter evenings.
What does your ideal 24 hours in Edinburgh look like?
Wake up with views to the highlands from our clifftop lodges and down for some brekkie at Five March in our Canteen, followed by a morning of surf at Lost Shore with the family. Then a dash into town for lunch in the west end, followed by a 6 Nations match at Murrayfield and a night on the town. That sounds pretty perfect to me.
What is one local hidden gem (it could be a café, shop, or location) that you swear by and tell all your clients or friends about?
Against The Grain Whisky, set up by Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe, would be a great fit in our cocktail bar on site, especially as the rugby strand runs deep in our project. People maybe don’t realise we’re a place just to socialise and relax, and not just a place to surf. Those legends could help us spread that message and run security at the same time!
What’s one local event or tradition in Edinburgh that you never miss and why?
Loony Dook in North Berwick (kind of Edinburgh!), and we’ll be carrying on that tradition at the surf resort this year with our Loony Dook in in the wave pool- see you there!
Looking ahead, how do you see your business evolving within Edinburgh’s dynamic cultural and economic landscape?
Nothing would make us happier than seeing other SMEs use our Resort as a platform to show what they’re all about. I promise there’s no better place to do a deal than whilst sipping a beer and watching the waves, so whether we’re working directly with local companies, schools and universities, or just providing a place for them to work from and do business, we’re all about supporting our local business economy.
Which Forever Edinburgh initiatives have you been involved with and how have you found it?
Whenever we have guests visiting the city we send them straight to the Forever Edinburgh website. It’s such a great condensed and reliable overview of what’s going on in the city.
What would you say to other businesses looking to get involved with Forever Edinburgh?
The more businesses support Forever Edinburgh the better a resource it will become for all of us, so get involved and spread the love!
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