Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) staff are visiting Gigha this week (Tuesday 18th June) to tell island residents what the local enterprise company can do for them.

The visit is part of a series of enterprise roadshows being organised by AIE over the coming year, demonstrating AIE's continuing focus on Kintyre and Gigha.  The Isle of Gigha Hotel is the location for Tuesday's event

Following the community buy-out of the island, AIE chief executive Ken Abernethy is keen to get the residents off to a good start. He said: "This is an exciting but daunting time for the people of Gigha and we are here to help to put them on the right track.  We can help with a variety of developments from business start-ups to community projects."

The focus of the roadshow will be on the types of assistance that the local enterprise company can offer to individuals who aspire to be their own boss. Assistance available includes grants for both capital and revenue costs, and - perhaps more importantly - advice.

Business start-up workshops are organised in local areas and AIE has a number of business advisers who regularly visit approved new small businesses to help them through those important first months.

Ken Abernethy said: "Now the island is in the hands of the community there are a number of residents who are able to fulfil some of the innovative business ideas that were not possible when the island was in private ownership.

"With the island only a short ferry ride from the mainland we also hope that a number of aspiring business men and women from Kintyre will take the opportunity to travel to Gigha to find out more about how AIE can help them."

Isle of Gigha community website