NEWS RELEASE

The upper age range for budding entrepreneurs applying to The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) has been raised to age 30, for the Western Isles only, for a pilot period of one year initially. Ann Scott, Director of Operations for The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust announced the good news to those attending a trio of PSYBT Panel Reviews held in Barra on 29 April, Benbecula on 30 April and Stornoway on 1 May. Councillor Donald Maclean, Regional Chairman of the Western Isles PSYBT Regional Committee said "This is excellent news for the Western Isles. We have been lobbying the Trust to raise the age range for some time and we are absolutely delighted that The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust have recognised the need to do so and have increased the eligibility for PSYBT to 30 in our area. It is a very welcome development and we are confident that many more young businesses will be started in the Western Isles as a result." Councillor Maclean added "We are very keen to reach our young people on the mainland with this good news. The PSYBT is now open to Western Isles young entrepreneurs up to age 30. It is our hope that many will grasp this opportunity to return to the Islands to start their own businesses."

Many young people leave the Islands to go to College and University and to gain work on the mainland. Some return in their late 20s with the idea to set up their own business. In the past they would not have been eligible for PSYBT assistance as the cut off age was 25. Not so any more. Now that the age range has been extended, any young person, between the ages of 18 and 30, in the Western Isles can apply to The Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust for help and advice to start their business, as well as financial assistance in the form of grants and loans.

Ann Scott from PSYBT, visiting the Islands for the first time said "I am delighted to have been able to bring such good news to the Western Isles. There are 18 PSYBT regions in Scotland and the Western Isles is the only region to have their eligibility criteria extended to age 30. We held three very good meetings in Barra, Benbecula and Stornoway and we have been very encouraged by the interest and support for the PSYBT from all those attending. Lots of new ideas to raise the awareness of the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust and to encourage business start-ups in the Western Isles have been discussed and the news about the age extension has been terrifically received." Ann’s first experience of the Islands was arriving by plane and landing on the beach in Barra. When asked if she had enjoyed this she said "Landing on the beach in Barra was a wonderful experience. I have been absolutely enchanted by the Islands, they are all so beautiful yet quite different. I will definitely be returning for a holiday and already have my tourist brochure packed". At each of the Panel Reviews a presentation was made by Cllr Donald Maclean, Ann Scott and Jane Campbell, Regional Manager. Several PSYBT assisted businesses also gave presentations. In Barra, Linda Maclean, Tigh Na Mara Guest House, and Seumas Campbell, Spotless Cleaning spoke about their businesses, in Benbecula, John Ewen Steele, Fisherman spoke about his self-employment experiences and in Stornoway, Heather Butterworth, Kells Harris Tweed Design, David Macaskill, Joiner and, Simon Dunne, SoundTracks record/cd shop (opening soon) spoke about their experiences in setting up in business. In Stornoway, Helen Macdonald from the Prince’s Trust also gave a presentation.

For further information about The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, please contact Jane Campbell, PSYBT Regional Manager at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on tel. 01851 703773 or email jane.campbell@cne-siar.gov.uk.

Enterprise Youth is part-funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the European Regional Development Fund through the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme – HISTP.

ENDS

Issued by:

Jane Campbell Tel: (01851)-709271

Youth Enterprise Development Officer Fax: (01851)-709388

Department for Sustainable Communities Email jane.campbell@cne-siar.gov.uk

Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar

Sandwick Road

Stornoway

Isle of Lewis HS1 2BW