Isle of Cumbrae distillery is just one of the food and drink businesses that has benefitted from public sector support through the Find Business Support website and the body is now encouraging other drinks and hospitality businesses to use it to help address potential opportunities.
The last two years have seen the Scottish drinks and hospitality industry face challenges that nobody could have predicted when covid-19 first hit. In the face of repeated lockdowns and operational restrictions, business owners across the sectors have worked tirelessly to adhere to ongoing restrictions, and many have been able to navigate the challenges using innovative and inspired ways of working.
After two years of non-stop interruption to their businesses, the owners of Scotland’s best-loved drinks businesses, as well as restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, and clubs, are eager to see their industry bounce back from two years of non-stop interruption to their businesses and there is a website that can help.
Scotland’s support organisations have come together to ensure help is easy to access. Business owners can find information on public sector support through the Find Business Support website as they look to address potential opportunities and respond to demands to deliver growth.
With recovery from the pandemic a key focus, the website provides an easy way for Scottish businesses to access online resources, webinars, and funding applications. FindBusinessSupport will also signpost businesses to the service best placed for their individual needs whether this is advice about how to start-up, finding new markets or increasing sales. Business owners will also be able to find where to go for tips and support about topics including sustainability, the pandemic, and the impact of Russian sanctions for businesses in Scotland.
One business that took advantage of support to move forward and grow is the Isle of Cumbrae distillery. Led by a five-strong female team; Bronwyn Jenkin-Deas, Jenine Ward, Juli Dempsey, Phillipa Daltona and Lynda Gill, the team are bonded by a love of gin and a passion for the island community. They opened Millport’s first gin distillery in 2020 and worked with Business Gateway in the initial days of their business.
Co-owner Bronwyn commented on the variety of support which they accessed and stated, “It has been varied and invaluable, from critiquing our business plan and making introductions, to providing financial support through grant schemes.”
Ultimately, business owners must remain responsive and adaptive to potential changes to the business environment they operate in, skills which they have brilliantly demonstrated at every stage of the pandemic. As the world moves forward, a network of support is available across Scotland to help them at every stage of recovery. This resource is needed now more than ever, with many companies facing disruption across global, national, and local trading environments. Businesses can find a range of support, including online resources, webinars and funding applications, depending on their individual needs.
Whatever your business needs, information on all this support is available in one place, and it is now easier than ever to take the first step. Learn more by visiting the website here.
