Career switch is just Ros’s cup of tea
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A DOUNREAY worker who offered help to colleagues looking to find a new career recently took her own advice – opening a new tearoom at Scrabster.
Former Windmills project co-ordinator Ros Campbell used to spend her days helping others plan to switch careers as the decommissining of the atom plant gathers pace.
However, last October she spotted the former chapel at the quayside and remarked to her husband Sid how it would be perfect for a new cafe.
After eight months of hard work, the charming building was completely overhauled on the inside and opened for business as ‘Cups’ at the start of June.
“This has been a lifelong dream, making it come true has been hard work, and at times challenging, but offers great rewards,” said Ros.
“I’d like to think by realising my dream, I’m also supporting the local economy by providing jobs and using local produce.
“My husband Sid still works at Dounreay with Nuvia, and is keeping busy with the accounts and book-keeping around his shifts.
“We’ve got off to a great start thanks to the support of the local community and so far it has been very satisfying.”
She added: “All we can hope for is that business continues as well as it has done for the years ahead.”
Keeping in line with practices the couple learned at Dounreay, the project was finished on time and slightly under budget, thanks to the help family and friends gave the couple.
Opening a tearoom has been Ros’s ambition for many years and something she often openly talked about with friends and family.
“I wanted a name that would say what we do and one that our customers would remember easily – I felt that ‘Cups’ did just that,” she said.
“All our teas are served in vintage cups and saucers – we don’t do mugs!”
After leaving school, Ros worked at Dounreay as a clerical trainee and has had a varied career in Scotland and the Middle East for a number of years.
She returned to Dounreay in 2000, working in various secretarial roles before taking up the post as training centre co-ordinator at Naver.
Praising Dounreay for its support and excellent training opportunities available through the transition funding, Ros continues to encourage others to make the most of the help on offer as the site works towards its scheduled closure in 2024.
