Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Holly Lennon

Shawlands cafe owners struggling to make a profit due to sky-high bills

Two friends who have turned their dreams of owning their own business into reality are still to make a profit due to their sky-high bills.

Yash Trikha, 33, and Roshan Robert, 29, first met each other while working at the Hilton hotel in Glasgow city centre several years ago.

The pair quickly bonded over the aspirations to open their own business before eventually taking the plunge and opening Cafe Yaro on Pollokshaws Road.

READ MORE: Heartbroken Lanarkshire family's world rocked as five-year-old dies after collapsing at home

Nestled in between big hitters like Cafe Strange Brew and Bramble, the business is facing stiff competition but the owners are confident that they will be able to make their mark on the popular thoroughfare despite having yet to make any money themselves.

As well as offering breakfast and brunch staples, the cafe also serves dishes from the owner's native India and Sri Lanka.

Yash told Glasgow Live: "I moved here from India in 2008 to study hospitality at Edinburgh Napier. Since then I've worked in the likes of Mother India, Chaophraya, and the Hilton.

Cafe Yaro is open on Pollokshaws Road (Cafe Yaro/ Instagram)

"When I met Roshan, we would always talk about starting our own business whether that was a bar, cafe, or restaurant. We decided to go down the cafe route and eventually settled on a spot in Shawlands."

Since opening nearly six months ago, the pair have been faced with extortionate energy bills that are almost as pricey as rent for the cafe itself.

Yash and Yoshan are yet to make a profit from their venture but are determined to make it a success. As well as working full-time in the cafe, they are both are having to pick up shifts as delivery drivers.

Yash added: "The loss of income stepping away from our previous jobs has been a big shock. We're not earning any money for ourselves at the moment because everything we make is going on stock, rent, or electricity. Our electricity bill alone is £700 a month.

"We don't even put the heating on unless there are customers in, we just put extra jumpers on.

"We want to stick it out and establish our brand here in Shawlands before maybe moving elsewhere in the city.

"The locals have been really supportive so far and we've already got some regulars."

Cafe Yaro is open on Pollokshaws Road from 9am until 4pm. To find out more visit their social media here.

READ NEXT -

Police launch investigation into 'wilful' fire at listed Springburn Nursery

Lanarkshire prison officer who smuggled drugs into jail for convicted murderer locked up

Glasgow to show solidarity with Ukraine one year on from Russian invasion during march

Paisley man facing £8,000 vet bill after three-year-old dog paralysed in sudden injury

Glasgow kids 'can't afford school trips and use uniform banks' says teacher

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.