Lizzie Barr moved from Scotland's most southerly village,
Drummore, to Edinburgh to study when she was
just 17. After graduation she decided to stay and has since
been working successfully in the city's design
industry.
Now she has decided to start her own business
in the capital, Lizzie's Tea
Party.
Studying in Edinburgh
On first coming to Edinburgh she decided to
study Hospitality, Tourism and Management at Queen Margaret
College, now Queen Margaret
University.
Lizzie describes the experience of studying in Edinburgh as
really positive, 'I just loved coming to Edinburgh, it just seemed
so safe and you can walk everywhere. The people I met in my first
few days here are still really close friends. It was a great
experience living in student halls of residence, getting used to
the real world before living in flats in other parts of the
city.'
She has no hesitation when it comes to
recommending studying in Edinburgh saying, 'if you are looking for
somewhere laidback and friendly Edinburgh is perfect. I think it’s
just a fantastic place, it's so pretty, and there is so much
to do. You just think you are so lucky to live here when you look
around.'
Lizzie's Tea Party
Lizzie was first inspired to think about starting
her business after visiting a small tea shop in Melrose in the
Scottish Borders. 'I just realised that I loved the whole tea party
side of things,' she explains, 'I've since held a few tea parties
for friends and they always say how much they enjoy the experience.
It's a lovely excuse to relax and chat with friends while
enjoying drinking from china tea cups and of course sampling lots
of cakes and sandwiches.'
It turns out that Lizzie has a great baking
tradition in her family, 'My grandfather was a baker and when I was
younger I used to bake a lot with my mum. I always
really enjoyed it and I just thought maybe I could make a
business out of this one day'.
The philosophy behind Lizzie's Tea Party seems to
be that everyone should be able to enjoy the
experience of having afternoon tea you would normally only get
in a large hotel. She says, 'I hope that I'll be able to do
tea parties for people who might not be able to get out for
afternoon tea like people who are looking after babies and
young children.' 
'I'd like to do tea parties for business meetings and even for
events in shops, anywhere people would enjoy having tea and cakes
basically. I'd also like to supply cakes for people, not just cup
cakes, though they are very poular at the moment.'
Lizzie is finding Edinburgh a business friendly place, 'Everyone
I mention my business to is very keen to help me get on track.
I am setting up a website and people have been great
helping me find images and videos for that. I am also
attending some
Business Gateway start-up seminars. They have
lots of great seminars with useful advice for business start-ups
and it's free too!'
Living in Edinburgh
When it comes to the subject of living in Edinburgh Lizzie's
certain she's found the right place, 'I think Edinburgh has a great
mix of people, there seems to be room for every type of
person and business. I just think it’s a great place, its just so
beautiful and I feel so lucky to live here. I think that nearly
everyday, especially when I see certain views. When I walk home and
I see the city skylines I always think how amazing it looks. Even
when I drive back to Edinburgh after being on holiday I'm always
happy to be back!'
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