A WELL-KENT Yes hub famed for its “indy windaes” is appealing for cash to maintain its campaigning presence in the face of the cost of living crisis.
Retired teacher Kathleen Jack, 64, helps run the Blairgowrie and Rattray Yes Hub, which is known for its informative and eye-catching window displays calling out the “cost of Union crisis”.
The group behind the centre – which also functions as an unofficial tourist centre allowing organisers to build the international case for Yes – said it is becoming too expensive to maintain both the hub and their stalls in the streets of Perthshire.
They have launched a crowdfunder to help them keep getting the word of the Yes cause out there.
Based in the middle of Blairgowrie, the centre occupies a prime piece of real estate in the town – but it comes at a price.
Jack said: “I know some of the other places, they’re not quite so prominent but they’re not paying so much in rent, whereas we’ve got a really prominent position on the high street.
“We get people stopping in. It was quieter over the winter but we’re starting to pick up again and get more visitors in.
“We’ve had people coming in and saying, ‘I wanted to come in and see this indy windae, because I’ve seen it on Facebook’.”
The “indy windaes” normally contain graphics, illustrations and cuttings from the pages of The National.
They are usually themed around the big stories of the day – such as when the Supreme Court blocked another independence referendum or highlighting local businesses that had closed because of the impact of Brexit.
The hub also stocks information leaflets and welcomes in those exploring the Perthshire countryside.
“We don’t actually have a tourist office now, so we do stock leaflets,” said Jack.
“So you get people coming in to look at the tourist leaflets and they go, ‘What is this place, the tourist office?’
“And you’re like, no! We’re not, we’re actually promoting Scottish independence.”
The group are hoping to raise £2500 to keep the centre open and maintain their street campaigns.
You can find out more and donate here: www.gofundme.com/f/keep-yes-hubblair-blether-in-on-the-high-street
