A TRADITIONAL dating agency launched in the Capital two months ago has unveiled plans to expand further north of the Border.
Shunning modern internet and speed-dating services, dating guru Margo Medhurst, who opened Yours Sincerely after moving to Edinburgh in August, is already planning to take on extra staff in the Capital - and open a new branch in Glasgow.
Unlike internet dating services, each client is met personally by Ms Medhurst and a profile, detailing their interests, personality and a new colour photo are passed on to potential matches before a date is set up.
Ms Medhurst said her agency, which already has around 400 Edinburgh-based clients on its books, has been contacted by scores of Glasgow clients looking for a more traditional match-making service. "I explained to them that we are based in Edinburgh, but a lot of them weren't put off and said they were happy to travel through here, or some of them already work here," said Ms Medhurst.
"It just seems that so many people want this kind of traditional service - like they were already waiting for me when I got here.
"The market in Edinburgh is fantastic and there is a lot of room for growth."
From a starting point of zero, Ms Medhurst has already built up her client list to a point where she is struggling to cope alone - with only one member of administration staff to help out.
She said: "The point of Yours Sincerely is the personal touch - I visit every client individually and match them with people.
"The problem is now that I have so many people to visit that I am busy seven days a week."
She added: "I am planning to open a new Glasgow office in the spring, and I will also need to take on a new consultant in Edinburgh before then to help me out."
Ms Medhurst has worked in the dating industry for around 27 years and has previously run internet dating sites and organised speed-dating events.
She launched the first branch of Yours Sincerely five years ago when she was living in Ipswich.
The Ipswich branch is still running, with the help of one permanent member of staff - although Ms Medhurst is now controlling the business from Edinburgh.
She added: "The problem with internet dating is that it is so hit and miss - success rates are about five per cent, whereas our average is about 80 per cent.
"I think in Edinburgh, clients are looking for that personal touch
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