A Skye company has expanded its operations after securing more than £10,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards total costs.
Birch Skye Ltd has created a bakery space for the production of patisserie style products. These are being sold in the company’s shop in Portree and will be sold wholesale to other local hospitality businesses next year.
The project represents total investment of almost £22,000. It is forecast to increase company turnover and create two jobs.
Birch Skye was established as a coffee shop in 2020 by Niall Munro. The company soon started roasting its own coffee beans for use in the café and to supply other local businesses. It then expanded and opened a café in Inverness and currently employs 14 people.
Like many other businesses, Birch has relied on wholesale stockists that are not based on Skye. The new bakery gives the company more control over products and the flexibility to respond to local demand.
Anna Campbell, Development Manager with HIE in Lochaber Skye and Wester Ross, said:
“Birch has established itself as a key player in the area’s hospitality and food and drink sectors. This latest expansion will strengthen the company’s resilience, increase turnover and create new jobs.
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to provide support and look forward to continuing to work with the company as it takes these next important steps in its growth journey.”
Niall Munro, owner of Birch Skye, said:
“I’m delighted to have been granted funding from HIE, who have been incredibly helpful and supportive in facilitating the ability to grow and expand Birch. It also validates my own thoughts and plans for expansion when an entity like HIE is behind you and sees the vision in what you are doing and aiming to achieve.”
