100+ jobs supported by HIE in Moray in 2023/24
As a result of HIE’s support, businesses in Moray are forecast to see combined turnover rise by more than £85m and international sales by almost £14m.
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Kylesku Hotel was awarded up to £16,500 by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the cost of developing its digital systems.
The project follows an HIE-sponsored social media training and effectiveness workshop, which identified weaknesses in the hotel’s online presence.
This is being developed to build a robust brand and presence across all media, to accurately reflect the special nature of the hotel’s location and service.
It will also be used to attract the right quality of staff, which could become more challenging as the UK leaves the European Union.
Moving to year-round trade is expected to increase the business’s turnover by an estimated £128,000 after three years, as well as create at least one new post and retain two.
Claire Wilson, business development account manager with HIE in Sutherland, said:
“Kylesku Hotel has gone from strength to strength since the current owners took it over ten years ago. It is an important contributor to the region’s tourism and food and drink sectors. The hotel is on the North Coast 500 route and well placed to grow its offering and customer base.
“Strengthening their use of digital and online presence will help the business remain competitive and extend to year-round opening, while also attracting good candidates when vacancies arise. All of this is good for the business, for the local economy and for community resilience. I am very pleased we are able to support this project and look forward to continuing to work with the management at Kylesku Hotel on their plans for further growth.”
Kylesku Hotel is an old coaching inn dating back to 1680 on the shores of Loch Glencoul and Loch Glendhu. It was taken over by Tanja Lister and Sonia Virechauveix in 2009 who have since received a ‘Scottish Hoteliers of the Year’ award and a Thistle Award for ‘Most Hospitable Hotel’ in Scotland. Employee numbers doubled from 11 to 22, making it a major employer in rural West Sutherland.
Tanja List of Kylesku Hotel, said:
“This latest support from HIE has allowed us to create a high-quality new website and branding. This in turn, enables us to focus on attracting the best staff, tempt our guests to stay for longer and indeed come and explore what this spectacular corner of Sutherland has to offer at all times of year.
“We have already seen an increase in interest and trade since the launch, which provides a great basis to make the decision to stay open all year. Ultimately, this is also good for the local community as it enables us to provide year-round jobs."
As a result of HIE’s support, businesses in Moray are forecast to see combined turnover rise by more than £85m and international sales by almost £14m.
As a result of HIE support, businesses in the area will see total turnover rise by £14.5m and international sales by £1.9m.
Figures show HIE approved £1.5m investment across 18 Shetland projects in 2023-24
Figures compiled by HIE show that businesses and communities supported by the agency in 2023/24 are set to create or retain more than 1,200 jobs across the region.
Beinn an Tuirc Distillery is investigating the development of two new canned ready to drink (RTD) cocktail recipes.
£250k helped leverage a further £3.6m in national investment
A programme of remedial works to bring Scotland’s only funicular railway back into service at Cairngorm Mountain is entering a new phase during week beginning Monday 15 April.
HIE funding will support the element of the project that focuses specifically on reducing carbon emissions and energy costs.
The Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands exhibition has been created by communities across the region as part of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands Project.
The owners have secured up to £175,900 investment from HIE towards the works, which will help boost annual turnover and support local jobs.
Wednesday 6 March event will help local businesses identify and make the most of new opportunities from the growing cruise ship tourism market.