About the business
Andy Malcolm and Isla Cruickshank, co-owners of I and A Catering Ltd, launched Islay’s Plaice and The Deli Den in Bowmore after several years of successfully running a food business on the neighbouring island of Jura.
Their new ventures have quickly become part of daily life in the town, offering residents and visitors fresh, convenient food options all year round.
The couple originally took over a café on Jura that had been closed following Covid, rebuilding it into a thriving local hub, despite the challenges of operating on an island only accessible by taking two ferries. After several successful years there, Andy and Isla decided to bring their experience to Islay, expanding into a larger community and creating a more sustainable, year-round income stream.
In 2024, they opened Islay’s Plaice, the island’s first traditional chip shop in half a century, followed shortly by The Deli Den, which offers freshly prepared meals, deli items and quality produce. Both businesses have already exceeded expectations, attracting a steady stream of locals and tourists.
We would like to thank Business Gateway for all their help, especially all the advice we have received from our adviser, Donald. He has advised us on so much and even took calls in his own time to work around our busy schedule. The businesses would not have developed anywhere near as quickly without this support. We’re also incredibly grateful for the financial guidance and the funding opportunities we’ve been signposted towards over the years.
How Business Gateway has helped
Behind the scenes, Business Gateway has played a central role in supporting their expansion. Andy and Isla have worked closely with Business Gateway adviser Donald Melville since before opening their first business, receiving ongoing support as they have grown and diversified.
Through Business Gateway, the pair accessed advice on business planning, growth strategy and routes to grant and loan funding. They secured a grant through the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, from the UK Government, enabling them to purchase vital equipment for the chip shop. This helped accelerate their expansion and allowed them to recruit staff and increase turnover faster than expected.
Andy Malcolm, co-owner of I&A Catering, said: “We would like to thank Business Gateway for all their help, especially all the advice we have received from our adviser, Donald. He has advised us on so much and even took calls in his own time to work around our busy schedule. The businesses would not have developed anywhere near as quickly without this support. We’re also incredibly grateful for the financial guidance and the funding opportunities we’ve been signposted towards over the years.”