This is a quick heads-up to let anyone interested know that I've just posted an update on the D.C. Dalgliesh weaving mill, on our blog at http://blog.scotweb.co.uk/journal/20...he-future.html

This is timed to coincide with our first major publicly-visible changes. Firstly, as of last weekend, we've introduced a round or price rises, which are as modest as we could manage (especially given the massive price rises in raw wool over the past year). We've focussed more of the rise towards the shorter lengths (more reflecting the real costs of production) with lower increases for bulk, and the 'break points' for these have also changed. In short, we hope the new price list will be much simpler and more logical than before. In the end we trust you'll understand that prices had to go up to ensure the mill survives for the future, so we hope you'll continue to support us!

The other significant change we're making is that D.C. Dalgliesh will be more strictly dealing only with trade customers in future. We're asking even existing trade customers to set up trade accounts so that we have a proper administrative system to move forward with. This should mean more business for trade customers, as the mill won't be supplying to the public directly as has happened in the past. (That's just something I feel quite strongly about, as I feel it's very poor when trade suppliers compete unfairly with their own distribution chain.) And just to be clear, the mill will continue to operate independently of our retail operation (which is gradually rebranding as "Tartan Mill", with Scotweb becoming the group name).

There will be a lot more changes over the coming months, since we're investing heavily in the mill's operations. As these become visible, I'll aim to announce them. But rest assured, they're all about improving the service, and nothing at all will change in terms of the production techniques. We strongly believe that the traditional processes are the mill's best asset, so the quality will remain as great as ever.