Argyll marine firm scales up with new high tech survey vessel
The project by Oban based Tritonia Scientific Limited will support four jobs and is forecast to increase the company’s turnover by more than £1m within three years.
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It will form part of a new climbing performance centre and adventure sports destination being developed in the Longman area of Inverness, by The Ledge, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Other facilities will include a café, a high-performance gym and fitness studio, a retail outlet and Autobelay area.
The HIE funding will contribute towards the costs of fitting out the climbing wall, which is expected to create up to 16 full time equivalent jobs within two years.
It will include lead climbing walls, bouldering walls, training surfaces walls and supporting facilities.
The facility, which is due to open in spring 2022, is being designed to accommodate the potential need for social distancing.
It will be accredited by the Mountaineering Scotland as a Level 3 Hub and a regional centre of excellence and is also expected to support delivery of further education courses in sustainable mountain development.
The Ledge climbing facility will complement other climbing facilities in the region, such as the Ice Factor in Lochaber, and will provide access to climbing for disadvantaged groups.
Karen Peasnall, business development account manager with HIE’s Inner Moray Firth Team, said:
“The Highlands and Islands is becoming increasingly recognised for its opportunities in adventure tourism. The sector has significant potential for further growth, with most firms expecting more activity in the medium and longer term.
“We expect the climbing performance centre at The Ledge will rapidly become an established part of this growth. We are very pleased to be able to support this excellent project and very much look forward to continuing to work with The Ledge as the project takes shape.”
Duncan McCallum, chief executive of The Ledge, said:
“We are extremely pleased to receive such an important part of our funding from HIE. This is in recognition of the Centre’s role, in job creation and promoting economic regeneration, in such an important sector as active tourism and leisure.
“There has never been a better time to live, visit and work in the Highlands, and this is being recognised by so many people who visit and are looking to the Highlands, to offer them an improved quality of life. The Ledge centre will become an important component in the city and regions infrastructure, which will support this social and economic growth and build confidence for an exciting future, whilst supporting the most vulnerable in the community through our charitable work.”
The location for the leisure centre will be an existing building within the Scotlog portfolio leased to The Ledge on a long-term basis.
It is anticipated the development will act as a catalyst for wider development of the Longman area and lead to further development in retail, leisure facilities and accommodation.
The project by Oban based Tritonia Scientific Limited will support four jobs and is forecast to increase the company’s turnover by more than £1m within three years.
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The project is forecast to generate more than £340,000 turnover in the next three years and create three jobs within five years.
Food and Drink TechHUB will provide financial and advice support to help businesses, including social and community enterprises, with commercial growth and net zero transition activities.
The funding can help cover the costs of equipment, new technology or fixtures and fittings, or to construct, adapt or upgrade business premises or other infrastructure.
The improvements will enable the company to continue its growth through increased capacity and efficiencies in production.
People interested in developing and applying their ideas on the use of technology to start or grow a business can attend in person or online.
CMSL board member Tim Hurst will become interim chief executive