In the second instalment of our Distillery and Visitor Centre series, we’re focusing on budget.
Arguably the most important part of any project, there are various ways a budget can be managed to ensure optimum results in a cost-controlled manner.
With extensive experience in multiple distillery and visitor centre projects across Scotland and beyond, we’ll share our knowledge on how a fully considered project structure can influence the final costs of your project.
Know the whisky
Any successful visitor centre is an accurate reflection of the whisky that is distilled and the brand experience surrounding this. A strong brand presence is essential in providing an experience that visitors will enjoy – it takes time to produce an accurate representation of this, and is unique to the type of whiskey in production.
Know the history
To deliver a visitor centre experience that provides the best value for your project budget, engage with local historians to help set the scene of the local area. Learning the history of the local area will help to develop your brand offering and experience for visitors, ensuring a true connection with the location and community you have chosen.
Know the budget
Be realistic about your budget from the get-go. Ensure that you set your sights on a realistic number for your entire fit-out, managing this as a team with input from all key stakeholders – the client, the exhibition designer, the quantity surveyor or project manager, and the fit-out contractor. Insight from each individual at an early stage will ensure optimum cost management.
Know the experience
It’s crucial to include both internal and external spaces for visitors to enjoy. A contrast between both will allow guests to understand the tour in more depth, and ultimately provide a more memorable experience for all visitors that will translate into a more profitable project in the long run.
Know the exhibition
Selecting and appointing an Exhibition Designer as a member of your project team will offer a developed insight into the mind of the visitor, and how interior design can be used to enhance the exhibition experience. A talented Exhibition Designer will understand the real ethos behind the visitor experience, and influence how every aspect of the project interacts and flows to provide a seamless offering.
Focusing on each of these elements will ensure that the project budget is fully considered at an early stage, meaning fewer surprises along the way, and a more profitable end result.
We’ll be continuing our Distillery and Visitor Centre series next week with a look into the risks that can arise throughout distillery projects, and how these can be managed.
In the meantime, be sure to discover our range of experience in the distillery sector, and get in touch with our team to discuss your next project.
