Business is brisk at the new one stop shop for enterprises large and small from across Orkney.
The Business Gateway offers practical help, advice and support to people starting new ventures and to established companies with plans for growth.
Based in Kirkwall's Queen Street, the new centre shares offices with Orkney Islands Council's economic development staff and their counterparts from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
"By bringing the development teams from HIE and the council together, with the Business Gateway at the hub of the operation, we're now a true one stop shop," said Kirsten Nicolson , manager of the new service.
"We're here to provide assistance to existing businesses and to people thinking of starting up on their own.
"We can rapidly access a huge amount of information on the support and advice available to new and growing businesses from the council, from HIE and from national and European sources.
"We've only been open for a few weeks and already we're busier than I'd expected. That's been a pleasant surprise - and it's rewarding for us all to be supporting businesses during these tough economic times."
One of the first businesses to call on the gateway's services is Pierowall Fish, a family business run by Ann and Kevin Rendall.
The firm, which delivers fresh filleted and whole fish to customers throughout Orkney, is investing in a new processing plant currently under construction in Westray.
"It means a major expansion for our business," said Mrs Rendall. "We're looking to reach new markets, both within Orkney and further afield, and we plan to take on more staff.
"I approached the Business Gateway looking for marketing advice and found myself sitting down with an expert the very next day. I'm really impressed by the speed of response - and by the level of support we're receiving."
Through the gateway, eligible new and expanding businesses can now access up to 40 per cent grants from the council towards the construction of new buildings, the improvement of existing buildings, and to help in the purchase of machinery and equipment.
"The Gateway is a new concept for the Highlands and islands and we are pleased that we have managed to pull it together to enhance the service offered by the local authority and HIE," said Councillor Ian Johnstone, the council's economic development chairman.
"It's very satisfying to be able to do more to help local businesses. The gateway will develop over time and will play an important part in helping sustain Orkney's economy through these challenging times."
Ken Grant, HIE's area manager for Orkney, added: "Our development staff have always worked well with their counterparts from the council.
"Having the teams from both organisations housed under the one roof has been a long term ambition. So I'm delighted that it's now a reality - and that there's been such a positive response from the local business community to the new service we can jointly provide from Queen Street."
A series of workshops and other events will be staged by the Business Gateway later this year. A wealth of information can be found at www.bgateway.com - with free access to the website available at the Kirkwall centre.