"SPOTLESS!" REPUTATION ATTRACTS PSYBT EXPANSION FUNDING

Seumas Campbell
Seumas Campbell

James Campbell, a 26 year old cleansing services contractor from Castlebay, Isle of Barra, was recently awarded an expansion loan of £4,200 by the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) to help him expand his business services. Seumas (as he is known locally) started his business, "Spotless! Cleaning Services", in March 2001 with assistance from PSYBT in the form of a £1,000 start-up grant. He made headline news at the time as it was the first ever PSYBT Panel to be held entirely in Gaelic. Spotless! are the tenth Western Isles Business to receive PSYBT funding in the year 2001/2002.

Spotless! Cleaning Services have been operating in Barra in the past year offering a variety of services including carpet/upholstery cleaning, car valeting and steam cleaning. Since start-up Seumas has continued to research the gap in the market and the demand for additional cleansing/environmental services in Barra and the Uists. He approached PSYBT with his ideas for expansion and with their help updated his business plan. His application for funding was approved and a loan of £4,200 was awarded by the Barra PSYBT Panel. As a result, Spotless! have introduced pest control, dry cleaning, drain clearing, chimney cleaning, window cleaning, servicing self-catering accommodation and commercial kitchen cleaning to their portfolio of services. As well as purchasing equipment, Seumas has also been able to purchase a new van for the business. This, and the improved inter-Island links, will enable him to expand the span of his business to include the Uists as well as Barra.

Commenting on the assistance received from PSYBT, Seumas said:
"I am very grateful to The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust and to the Barra Panel for the faith shown in my business. As well as giving me the capabilities to expand, this loan has boosted my confidence and renewed my enthusiasm and I am looking forward to a very busy year ahead. The support I have received from PSYBT since start-up has been invaluable. Through them, I have even attended a Garden Party at The Palace of Holyroodhouse where I met Prince Charles."

Western Isles PSYBT Chairman, Councillor Donald Maclean said:
"I have met Seumas on several occasions and am very impressed by his entrepreneurial attitude. I am delighted that PSYBT have been able to assist him with his expansion plans and hope the communities of Barra and the Uists will support him by making full use of his range of services".

Seumas sees anyone as a potential customer as everyone requires cleaning at some stage. For the moment Spotless! Cleaning Services are targeting their services at the Southern Isles, as for the future, that remains to be seen! "Spotless!" can be contacted on (01871)-810-909.

PSYBT in the Western Isles welcomes enquiries from young people aged between 18 and 30. As well as offering start-up funding and advice to young people with a business idea, PSYBT also offer expansion loans to support the growth of an established business. For further information contact: Jane Campbell, PSYBT Regional Manager, Business Advantage, Town Hall, Stornoway, on 01851 707475.

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
Youth Enterprise Development Officer
Department for Sustainable Communities
Business Advantage
Town Hall
Point Street
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis HS1 2BE

Tel: (01851)-707475
Fax: (01851)-703657
Email jane.campbell@cne-siar.gov.uk