The Rise of the Polish Community in Scotland
The owners of Edinburgh’s first Polish deli thought they had cornered the market when they opened last November.
A Growing Community
Lucyna Ellis, originally from a small town near Gdansk, researched the venture extensively before deciding that there were finally enough of her fellow countrymen living nearby to justify the existence of Deli Polonia on Leith Walk.
“We thought there was a gap in the market,” says the 35-year-old mother of one. “I was doing business start-up workshops and trying to find out if there was enough of a market. To start off, we needed to rely on the Polish people who knew the products. Three years ago, there weren’t enough. Then in the year before we opened, there were reports that 4000 Polish people had come to Edinburgh.”
But as it would turn out, the couple would only get a very small head start on a slew of other entrepreneurs thinking exactly the same thing. Interspersed between the Chinese and Thai take-aways, Indian clothing boutiques, and Italian and Greek restaurants that give Leith its multicultural flair, a new nationality is increasingly growing in stature.
A Self-Sustaining Economy
Since Easter, two other Polish delis have opened on the same street, as well as a Polish restaurant called Bigos. The Polish community is now supporting its own economy within Scotland. In Deli Polonia, a stack of flyers advertise new businesses opened by Poles in Edinburgh in recent months, including a nail bar, hairdresser, gardening service, painting and decorating business, travel agent, and recruitment agency.
This Polish influence is not reserved for just the capital, but is spread across all of Scotland. Polish delis have also popped up in Glasgow, and information websites have been launched in Edinburgh and Glasgow to keep the community informed about relevant news and services. Polish entrepreneurs are also expanding into other Scottish cities and planning to hold business start-up seminars to assist the newcomers.
The Impact on Scotland
According to official Home Office figures, more than 20,000 Polish people have registered to work in Scotland between May 2004 and March 2006. However, the Consul General of the Republic of Poland estimates that there could actually be between 40,000 and 50,000 Poles living in Scotland, when considering students, family dependents, self-employed individuals, and previous Polish immigrants.
The influx of Polish workers has shored up labour shortages in various industries, but it has also created a potential market, as the community supports its own economy within an economy. Companies like Lloyds TSB Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland have adapted their marketing campaigns to tap into the buying power of this fast-growing community.
The Future of the Polish Community in Scotland
Opportunities and Challenges
As other European nations open their doors to eastern European migrants, there is a concern that migrants might choose to go elsewhere. However, many young Poles are learning English and see it as the dominant language of the world, giving the UK an advantage in attracting and retaining migrants.
Another possibility is that these migrants could eventually return to Poland as its economy improves. The Polish government hopes that a significant number of those who have left in the last two years will eventually return, as was the case with Spain in the 1980s. However, the impact of Poland's growing economy on emigration remains to be seen.
Efforts to Support and Integrate
The Scottish Government, local public agencies, and organizations are working to support and integrate the Polish community. They are providing funding for English courses, producing Polish-language welcome packs, and launching information websites. The Fresh Talent scheme, which encourages workers and students to choose Scotland as a longer-term option, has also been implemented.
Connecting with the Polish Community
Hotels in Scotland
In recent years, Scotland has seen a significant increase in the number of Polish visitors. Many of these tourists are visiting friends and relatives or are interested in learning English. To cater to this growing market, hotels across Scotland are adapting their services to better accommodate Polish guests.
Some hotels have hired Polish-speaking staff members to provide assistance and enhance the guest experience. The Royal Bank of Scotland has even advertised on Polish-language websites to attract jobseekers, indicating the interest in tapping into this market.
As the Polish community continues to grow and establish itself in Scotland, hotels will play a crucial role not only in providing accommodation but also in promoting Scottish culture and hospitality to this vibrant community.
Scotland is becoming a home away from home for many Poles, and the positive economic impact they are making is evident. It is a testament to the power of diversity and the ability of immigrants to contribute to the society that welcomes them.