Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Business Gateway E-Bulletin : Jan - March 2010
Business Gateway provides expertise in every aspect of business start-up and growth
ranging from, but not limited to:
Business Planning, Recruitment, Exporting, Marketing, Health & Safety,
Online Trading, Sourcing Premises and finding Funding
In this Issue :
Local News, Information, Events & Training:
- FREE Skills Development for Small Businesses
- Help for new entrants to weaving
- PSYBT Regional Gathering
- Creative Businesses – Applications & Proposals workshop
- Local Housing Strategy
- HIE announce support for fragile communities
- Outer Hebrides Business Directory – register your details
- Live Hebrides
- Community & Social Enterprises Funding Guide
Other Updates & Useful Links:
- Tax Help Website
- Skills & Training Website
- Links
LOCAL NEWS, INFORMATION, EVENTS & TRAINING
Free Training in Business Skills
Whether you currently run your own business or are thinking of starting up you could benefit from the next run of business workshops commencing on Tuesday 15th February and running through to 4th March at Lews Castle College.
The Workshops will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 pm in Lews Castle College and last for up to 3 hours each. Information on specific rooms will be posted in reception on the day.
Registration is easy and can be completed by phoning 01851 706000; or by email to enquiries@trainingfordevelopment.co.uk
The following dates are to be held in Stornoway but if there is sufficient interest from Uist and Barra any of these workshops can be delivered in Balivanich or Castlebay:
Tuesday 16th Feb Personal Planning for Business
Thursday 18th Feb Marketing Planning
Tuesday 23rd Feb Resource Planning
Thursday 25th Feb Simple Book Keeping
Tuesday 2nd March Negotiating Skills
4th March Selling Skills
Assistance for New Weavers
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Highlands & Islands Enterprise are working together to provide assistance for new entrants to the weaving industry. The aim is to offer support to those interested in getting into weaving by offering business planning for self-employed weavers and funding support to eligible applicants towards the cost of setting up with equipment and premises. Assitance will vary depending on the circumstances of each individual but all those interested should contact the local Business Gateway team.
01851 707307
businessgateway@cne-siar.gov.uk
Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust Regional Gathering
The Outer Hebrides annual get together of PSYBT assisted businesses, local volunteers and public and private sector supporters of the Trust will take place this year in the Woodland Centre, Castle Grounds, Stornoway at 6:30pm on Tuesday 23rd February. If you are in business and are interested in learning more about PSYBT and what they do in the islands to assist young people starting up in the local economy please come along.
For more information please contact: Sarah Maclean
01851 707 304
outerhebrides@psybt.org.uk
Creative Businesses – Applications & Proposals Workshop
The Cultural Enterprise Office (CEO) will be running a free workshop on Friday 26th March aimed at assisting those running creative businesses to improve their skills for making funding applications and pitching ideas. The session will run from 1 to 4pm in An Lanntair Arts Centre. The workshop will give attendees greater clarity and understanding of how to plan and present ideas.
For further information and to book a place contact Moira Macdonald:
01851 708 493
moira@lanntair.com
Outer Hebrides Local Housing Strategy Consultation
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is currently developing a new Local Housing Strategy for the period 2011-2016 and is keen to consult with every section of the community – including local businesses before determining the priorities
for housing and related services activity in the coming five years.
The Consultation phase will run from 1 March to 31 May 2010 and a Consultative Draft of the Strategy will be made available on the Comhairle’s web site, along with a summary document and short survey. Paper copies will also be distributed to appropriate venues throughout the Islands, and the Housing Services Section is keen to receive written feedback on the draft proposals . Housing Services staff will also be pleased to meet with representatives of local community groups, the voluntary sector, companies, and partner agencies to obtain the views of those who will use the services we deliver.
For further information please contact:
Isobel MacKenzie
01851 709 257
isobel-mackenzie@cne-siar.gov.uk
Highlands & Islands Enterprise Support for Fragile Rural Communities
Fragile communities in the Outer Hebrides will benefit from a recently announced programme of support from Highlands & Islands Enterprise.
Building on its long history of support in remote areas, HIE is to invest in encouraging selected communities who want to develop and implement plans for local growth.
Working in partnership with local authorities and other public agencies, the initiative will create locally employed community development workers. As well as assisting with community consultation and planning they will work with local groups taking forward projects included in the overall community plans. In addition, a HIE staff member will work closely with each community to advise and support the process.
For more information:
http://www.hie.co.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-0finewmcg.RefLocID-0fihiesvp001.Lang-EN.htm
Outer Hebrides Business Directory
The Outer Hebrides Business Directory is an online resource which lists business based or operating in the islands. Funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Highlands and Islands Enterprise the website offers free listings to local businesses of all sizes and activities. Go to www.businesshebrides.co.uk and you can search by name or business activity – a quick and efficient way of helping customers access your business, if you would like to register or update your details on the Business Directory please contact us on:
01851 707307
businessgateway@cne-siar.gov.uk
Live Hebrides
Live Hebrides offer a free and impartial advice service to businesses in the Outer Hebrides to help them get the most out of broadband – whether it be promotion, communication or sales. If you would like to arrange a session with one of their advisers please contact the Live Hebrides team on:0800 035 5483
info@livehebrides.com
Community and Social Enterprises Funding Guide
The council’s guide to funding for social and community enterprises has recently been updated and can be found at
http://187.187.1.42/internet/leisurelearninggrants/documents/Project%20Fundraising%20Booklet.pdf
OTHER UPDATES & USEFUL LINKS
HMRC Tax information website
If you’re running a business you will find all the information you need to know about tax and related issues on one dedicated website.
The site features bite size video guides featuring real business owners and covers a host of issues including business set-up, self-assessment tax, VAT, PAYE, Construction Industry Scheme and many more.
Log on at:
businesslink.gov.uk/ taxhelp
Skills & Training Website
Aimed at employers of all sized businesses who want to improve the skills of their staff, talentmap provides a simple framework to navigate the education, employment and skills systems in the UK - and find the funding and support they need:
Log on at:
www.talentmap.ukces.org.uk
General Links
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - Business Gateway website
For loan and business advice and information.
www.cne-siar.gov.uk/eds/business.
Business Gateway
Well worth a visit for a range of information, advice and ideas on starting and running a business.
www.bgateway.com
The Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust
Offers start-up and development funding and advice to young people aged between 18 and 30 with a business idea.
www.psybt.org.uk/Regions/WesternIsles
Outer Hebrides Business Directory
The most complete local online listing of businesses and organisations in the Outer Hebrides.
Please contact us if you would like to have your business listed – it FREE!
www.businesshebrides.co.uk
Highlands & Islands Enterprise
Economic Development Agency operating across the region with local offices in Stornoway and Benbecula. A wide range of useful information and links for growing businesses and community organizations.
www.hie.co.uk
Live Hebrides
Offer local businesses and organisations a wide range of knowledge and expertise about the latest IT solutions available to them and the benefits of broadband.
www.livehebrides.com
Outer Hebrides Chamber of Commerce
For information relating to issues facing island businesses, networking and related opportunities.
www.hebrideschamber.com
The Business IT Guide
Operated by e-skills UK and assisted by Highlands & Islands Enterprise offering useful hints and tips on IT solutions for small businesses as they have found that small businesses in the UK are losing millions of pounds from lost revenue due to not being adequately IT literate. Please visit them at:
www.scotland.businessitguide.com
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - 'Socio Economic Update’
Regularly published, contains useful information on the local economy
www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile
Creative Industries focus on the arts, crafts film, and television, publishing, and new media sectors if you are operational in this sector the following links are worth a look:
Aim-Hi
An online forum for the Creative Industries sector - please feel free to register your interest and visit the site at http://s4.invisionfree.com/aimhi/.
www.aim-hi.org
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - The Creative Industries
Publishes a periodic newsletter on the website.
www.cne-siar.gov.uk/eds/creativeindustries
If you have any feedback or suggestions for us to make this service more relevant please e-mail your comments to businessgateway@cne-siar.gov.uk.
Remember that we guarantee never to sell or give your e-mail address to anyone else.
Good luck!
The business gateway team
Business Gateway
Development Department
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
James Square
9 James Street
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2QN
Tel: +44 (0)1851 707307
businessgateway@cne-siar.gov.uk
www.cne-siar.gov.uk/eds/business
This information is meant as a starting point only. Whilst all reasonable efforts have been made, the publisher makes no warranties that the information is accurate and up-to-date and will not be responsible for any errors or omissions in the information nor any consequences of any errors or omissions. Professional advice should be sought where appropriate.
