LOCAL BUSINESS IN LINE FOR NET GAINS VIA NEW E-INITIATIVE

Two Western Isles entrepreneurs have recently been able to develop their businesses, thanks to a new Scotland-wide initiative geared at encouraging young entrepreneurs on to the internet. The firms each netted a £1,000 grant from the BT Scotland Young Entrepreneurs initiative, a joint venture between the communications company and The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT).

BT Scotland has invested £45,000 in this unique scheme over the past year, targeted at young people who will use e-commerce in their new businesses. This new initiative provides financial support in the form of grants to help young people set up in business, plus free access to a specialist advisor for all PSYBT businesses to answer e-commerce enquiries.

Brighter Still is a photographic and stills-library agency operating from Sandwick, Lewis and run by Leila Angus. Services include press, commercial & industrial photography and digital-manipulation services. The business has already developed a varied and loyal client list, both local and mainland-based. They include publishers such as 'The Times', 'The Independent' and 'The Herald', all of which rely upon digital file transfer processing to acquire the images Leila produces. Images such as those she produced recently of Croft Recordings, for this feature.
Leila said, "What I have realised is that, with the growth of the internet and the potential for e-business, there are many opportunities for me and my business. It's also great to know that we have a specialist advisor to call for help if we need it."

Donald Eadie's business is Croft Recordings, a digital recording studio facility located at Maryhill, near Stornoway. They specialise in developing and producing the music of local artists and bands - from traditional unaccompanied Gaelic singing & piping, to rock bands. Croft also distribute CDs & tapes for artists signed to their label and promote them world-wide. They ultimately aim to make their music back-catalogue more easily accessible to customers, purely through the opportunities offered by e-commerce.
Donald added "It's fantastic to have my own business up and running which simply wouldn't have been possible without the PSYBT's help. Their money was the key to accessing grant funding from WIE, to buy the equipment I needed to get started."

BT Scotland's contribution will significantly enhance the existing successful service delivered by the PSYBT throughout Scotland to help young people to start up and continue in business.
Bob Downes, BT Scotland's director of economic development, said: "Businesses are using the internet in various ways, this could involve selling on the world-wide web, sourcing suppliers or even e-mailing accounts to your accountant."

Lochmaddy Councillor Donald MacLean, Chair of the Comhairle's Development Services committee and the PSYBT's Regional Chairman in the Western Isles added "The PSYBT aims to develop innovative products and services because it is recognised that young people are often the first to embrace new developments. I welcome this partnership with BT Scotland, which ensures that the young people who adopt e-business as part of their strategy will receive the support they need."

Ends.

Photographs available on request:
1. Leila Angus of Brighter Still on a shoot (© Brighter Still).

2. Donald Eadie on the desk (© Brighter Still).

For further information please contact:
Domhnall MacDonald PSYBT Regional Manager, on 01851-810-876 &

domhnall@cne-siar.gov.uk;

Contact Leila Angus on 01851-700498 and Donald Eadie on 01851-704178.
Call Julie Morrison of the BT Scotland press office on 08457 26 26 24.

ENDS