MERCHANT FOCUS: THISTLE TIMBER & BUILDING SUPPLIES
DO NICELY… THISTLE
Thistle Timber & Building Supplies has been expanding rapidly across Scotland, with the opening of its Dunbar branch, as Will McGill found out.
D
unbar, also known as “Sunny Dunny”, proudly holds the title of Scotland’s sunniest spot, enjoying around 1,450 hours of sunshine each year. One of the town’s big draws the “Bridge to Nowhere”, can be seen at high tide, the footbridge appears submerged, amusing passers-by with its seemingly
impractical design as it juts into the water with no clear destination.
Another key part of the town is Thistle Timber & Building Supplies, a business that has become a key part of the local landscape. Established in 1998, Thistle celebrated a significant milestone when it opened its Dunbar branch in September 2024,
showcasing the merchant’s determination to grow the business into multiple areas, and also underlining its commitment to serving and becoming part of the local community. Thistle has served both trade professionals and the general public since its founding by David Allen in 1998, who recognised an opportunity to create a business rooted in customer service and community values. Director Tessa Allen explains that the idea was to build something customer-focused, independent, and grounded in the local trade. Thistle’s growth has been steady, opening its second branch at the Gyle in 2006, and most recently its third in Dunbar in September 2024. The decision to expand into Dunbar was a strategic one, as the area had previously been served by the original single branch at The Wisp in Edinburgh. “Dunbar is a growing community, and with the nearest merchants 10 to 20 miles away, we saw a real opportunity to provide a vital local service,” she explains. The new branch offers efficient collection and delivery services throughout East Lothian and the Borders.
With three branches now in operation, Thistle stocks an extensive range of materials
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www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net June 2025
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