We can provide assistance towards the capital costs of setting up or expanding a business. Priority sectors for our assistance are tourism, information technology, food and drink processing and manufacturing and production. Developments which create employment are most likely to receive assistance. You do need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for assistance.
Is your proposal eligible for HIE Orkney assistance?
Below are examples of projects we have assisted in each of our key sectors:
- Tourism
- Food & drink
- Manufacturing & production
- Information technology
THE KIRKWALL HOTEL - TOURISM
Meeting the requirements of today's discerning travellers was the priority for owner Debbie Low when she decided to embark on a total makeover for one of Orkney's main hotels. With assistance of £66,000 from HIE Orkney she has recently managed to complete phase one of a refurbishment which will see the Kirkwall Hotel fully upgraded to meet the demands of the modern tourism market. This first phase saw the third floor of the hotel completely renovated, while maintaining some of its traditional features, thereby providing 16 comfortable and stylish family bedrooms which retain some of the original character of this landmark building overlooking Kirkwall harbour.
With 44 bedrooms, the refurbishment of the hotel presents a massive undertaking but positive feedback from phase one has provided Debbie and her team of 38 staff with the encouragement to continue.
THE ORKNEY SMOKERY - FOOD AND DRINK
Husband and wife team Calum and Heather MacInnes operate the Original Orkney Hamper Company which sends hampers of high quality Orkney products to discerning customers throughout the UK. During 2003, they found that, in addition to the wide range of goods they were able to supply - from Orkney biscuits and fudge to marinated herring and various chutneys and preserves - a growing demand for a smoked Orkney cheese was emerging. They therefore approached HIE Orkney to see if there might be assistance to establish a small smokery adjacent to their own house near Stromness.
HIE Orkney was glad to help out with this project which would create at least two full-time jobs, and awarded assistance of £15,000 and the smokery opened in May 2004.
SAM MACDONALD - MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION
Originally from the Western Isles, Sam MacDonald moved to Orkney to take up a post as an art teacher at Kirkwall Grammar School in 1988. His creative interests had always lain in metalwork and sculpture, and in 1993, he began a part-time business specialising in the production of metal fish which he mounted on various backgrounds to provide striking pieces for the wall. A wide range of designs quickly grew to include the use of stainless steel, lead and copper, featuring particularly fossilised fish, and Sam began to accept commissioned work.
Increasing demand for his work led Sam to decide to convert an unused shed at his home to provide additional workshop facilities. HIE Orkney assisted this development which would help him to meet demand from the UK, Europe and America. Sam was a founding member of the Orkney Artists Trail, now a register of Orkney artists, originally set up with HIE Orkney and Orkney Islands Council assistance in 2003 and therefore welcomes visitors to his new workshop.
COLIN KELDIE - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
After working for a local newspaper for many years, Colin Keldie spotted a gap in the market and decided he would like to set up his own business to provide a high quality scanning service for local clients. He therefore approached HIE Orkney for assistance to purchase a range of computer equipment and software which would enable him to provide high quality, computerised, digital scanning services to local printers, graphic designers and photographers.
HIE Orkney was able to assist and Colin set up his part-time business late in 2003.
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