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Western Isles Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur Of 2003 Chosen To Represent The Isles At 21ST Anniversary Final |
2 April 2003 | ||
Soundtracks, an independent CD and Record Shop have won the £1200 first prize at the Regional Final of the 2003 Shell LiveWIRE Young Business Start Up Awards, which are supported locally by Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar and Highlands & Islands Enterprise. Soundtracks is a company owned by Simon Dunne (24) which operates from 17 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Commenting on his success, Simon said, "I am absolutely delighted, and a little surprised. My business has been running for almost a year and I am thoroughly enjoying being my own boss. The shop has been very successful so far and I am looking forward to diversifying and broadening my business activities. This award is great recognition for my business and I feel very honoured to have been chosen as the LiveWIRE Winner for the Western Isles." The four-person judging panel was chaired by Councillor Donald MacLean who is also Chairman of the Comhairle's Development Services Committee. They scrutinised each finalist's Business Plan in advance and conducted interviews on the day, to assess individual business acumen, potential and long-term business viability. Congratulating Simon on his win, Mr MacLean said, "The judges were particularly impressed with Simon and his business, Soundtracks. Simon is a true LiveWIRE in every sense of the word and all the judges agreed that his business has real potential to succeed in the long term. The calibre of all this years' finalists was excellent and this made our task as a Panel especially difficult. At the end of the day that has to be good news for the Western Isles." Mr MacLean also extended his thanks to the three other members of the judging panel who comprised: Donald MacDonald, Business Manager at the Bank of Scotland; Heather Butterworth, Owner, Kells (herself a former local LiveWIRE winner) and Ann MacCallum, Chairman, Western Isles Chamber of Commerce. The 2nd prize of £800 went to Johannes Engebretsen and Jason King of Viking Paintball, and the 3rd prize of £700 was awarded to Iain Francis Morrison a Crofter in South Uist. Two additional merit prizes of £400 were presented to Alex Gilliland, Fishcare and Landcare and Christine Fargie, Thistle Spa. The awards were presented by Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar Convener, Alex A Macdonald. If anyone in the Western Isles, aged between 16 & 30, would like to find out how to turn their business idea into reality, contact Jane Campbell, Shell LiveWIRE Co-ordinator, Business Advantage, Department for Sustainable Communities, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, Town Hall, Point Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis on (01851)-707475 for further information. Shell LiveWIRE in the Western Isles is supported by Enterprise Youth, a project part-funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the European Regional Development Fund through the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme - HISTP. ENDS Finalists 1st Prize £1200 SOUNDTRACKS "Sound Tracks" is an independent record shop owned by Simon Dunne of Stornoway, Lewis. As well as cd's, the shop sells dvd's, videos, posters, t-shirts, accessories and gift vouchers. A listening post is provided for customers to listen to new tracks before buying, and if what they are looking for isn't in stock, Simon will order them the cd, dvd or video of their choice. The business has quickly established itself in a short time & now employs a part-time member of staff.
"Viking Paintball" is a new leisure venture, established by Johannes Engebretsen & Jason King in Stornoway, Lewis. A typical paintball session consists of several 15 minute games, each with different objectives & rules. Protective clothing & equipment is worn to protect players & games are closely monitored at all times. Paintballing is one of the fastest growing activities in the UK and is already proving to be a hit in Stornoway, with sessions booked as far ahead as July.
Iain F Morrison has been tenant of a croft at Kildonan, South Uist since November 2001. He gained valuable experience from helping work the family croft from a very young age. His long-term plan includes the re-stock of the croft with cattle and sheep, erecting a steading for housing them and refencing. He has already purchased some cattle & sheep, machinery and cultivated 10 acres of croft. Recently he received recognition for his hard work from the Scottish Crofting Foundation by winning the title of "Crofter of the Year 2003". Merit Prize £400 THISTLE SPA "Thistle Spa" is owned by Christine Fargie and operates from her home in Back, Isle of Lewis. Christine offers a wide range of beauty therapy and associated services, including beauty treatments and slimming treatments not available elsewhere on the island. She also provides advice on diet and nutrition and weight management. Merit Prize
£400 FISHCARE & LANDCARE "Fishcare & Landcare"
is run by Alex Gilliland of Shawbost, Lewis. Fishcare subcontracts work from fish
farms, which involves a team of four to five people who vacinate smolts individually.
As this is a seasonal occupation, Alex started Landcare to create work for the
months between February & September. The services offered include site clearance,
road access and landscaping. Issued by: Jane Campbell, Shell LiveWIRE
Co-ordinator, Nigel
Scott Tel: 01851
709389 (Work) | |||
