It’s Scotland Loves Local Week and the Council’s Business Gateway is celebrating the local businesses across Argyll and Bute currently making the most of the wide range of support available to them.
Over the past year, the Business Gateway service has:
- supported 147 new start-up businesses in Argyll and Bute last year:
- provided advice to 300 local businesses; and
- administered grants and funded expert help worth more than £250k to local businesses to help them start and grow.
These local businesses provide residents and communities across Argyll and Bute with a wide range of valuable skills and services as well creating jobs and driving a thriving local economy.
Councillor Math Campbell Sturgess, Policy Lead for Business Development, said: “The Council’s Business Gateway team provides advice, guidance and funding that helps our small and micro businesses start-up, develop and thrive. I would urge anyone thinking of taking that next step - turning their skill set into a viable business – to contact Business Gateway and get the benefit of their expertise.
“But don’t take my word for it. Some of the local businesses who have used the service tell us how they have benefited from the support.”
- “This is an amazing service! I have taken so much from the webinars.” My Happy Days Yoga, Helensburgh
- "Starting my own business in 2022 after a 25-year career in the NHS seemed like a giant leap. I am very grateful for the ongoing support, information and encouragement that Business Gateway have provided through their advisor service over the past three years” Mindful Sensory OT Services, Campbeltown
- “Business Gateway's support has been brilliant for our business. Having access to expert advice - whether it’s market research or specialist guidance on things like VAT - has been a huge help. It’s made a real difference to how we grow and plan for the future.” Meekton Enterprises Ltd, Tiree
- "I’ve loved attending their workshops – they’re full of practical, real-world advice and delivered in a way that’s easy to understand and apply straight away. I always leave feeling inspired and motivated, with new ideas to take back to our business." Sally MacColl, The Tobermory Fish Company
- “Business Gateway has been part of our journey since we launched in 2018. From early advice to ongoing support as we’ve grown, they’ve helped us shape Isle of Bute Distillery into the brand it is today. Having that guidance available locally has been invaluable. The team feel like an old friend who is always available to point us in the right direction and have consistently encouraged us. Looking back at our first projected turnover and staff figures together, it’s fantastic to see how far we have come since those early days . If you’re a new business and feel like you’re too small for Business Gateway, I’d really urge you to reach out — no question is too small and no vision too big. Their support meets you where you are, and that makes all the difference.” Rhona Wheatley, Isle of Bute Distillery
Find out more about Argyll and Bute Council’s Business Gateway
