Outer Hebrides

Whether you are starting or growing a business, we provide access to a range of business support services.

Meet the Team

Business Gateway offer free advice and support to help you develop your ideas into an effective and practical plan. With a network of experienced business advisers we can work with you in confidence, to help you reach your full potential. As an example you can get help in the following areas:

Creating your business plan
Getting the most from your advertising and marketing
Thinking about taking on staff
Researching your business idea
Find out what funding you can apply for
Registering with HM Revenue and Customs
Finding and keeping customers
Access to professionally-drafted contracts and legal document template

Our advisers cover the area and are happy to come and meet you locally or support you by phone or email. All you need to do is get in touch to arrange a convenient time.

Derek
Business Adviser
Derek Maclean joined the Business Gateway team in September 2017 as a Business Development Officer (Growth). Derek primarily supports businesses with ambition to grow to take their plans to the next level, and enjoys nothing more than seeing them make a success of it. He advises his clients on all the public sector support available in Scotland through agencies like Business Gateway, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, SMAS and the local authority, as well as giving them commercial advice on running and growing their businesses. Derek has a background in online marketing and web development having run his own business since 2013.
Fiona
Business Adviser
Fiona Chisholm is a Business Support Officer based in Business Gateway’s Stornoway office. Fiona began work with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in 2002 after working with a local accountancy firm for 20 years. Fiona is well used to the ups and downs of self-employment as both her husband and her parents have run their own businesses. She also achieved her Diploma in Business and Enterprise Support in 2014 whilst working with Business Gateway.

There are many ways we can support your start-up journey.

Our Business Support Tool is a great place to begin. It takes just 10 minutes to complete and provides you with an instant toolkit with key resources & information. We'll then connect you with a member of the team at our local office for further support.

Our website offers a business plan guide and template to download when you’re ready, market reports and research, as well as handy online guides, articles and video tutorials. Plus, we have a great range of webinars to hone your start-up skills – from writing a business plan to marketing on a budget.

With our help, you could be in business sooner than you imagined.

Our resources and one-to-one support can help you strengthen your business.

Whether you’re looking to take on premises or learn more about digital marketing, we can help you take the next step. Get started by taking 10 minutes to complete our Business Support tool and get a personalised dashboard of online resources and webinars.

We can also offer 1-1 advice at a time that works for you. Together, you and your business adviser can create a strategic action plan to help you achieve your goals.

Our online resources and webinars can help you learn new skills, create opportunities and gain confidence. From HR to restructuring, innovation and digital marketing - we can help. And if specialist input is required, we can connect you to other sources of support.

Business Gateway offer FREE advice and support to help you develop your ideas into an effective and practical plan. With a network of experienced business advisers we can work with you in confidence, to help you reach your full potential.

As an example you can get help in the following areas:

Creating your business plan
Getting the most from your advertising and marketing
Thinking about taking on staff
Researching your business idea
Find out what funding you can apply for
Registering with HM Revenue and Customs
Finding and keeping customers
Access to professionally-drafted contracts and legal document template

Our advisers cover the area and are happy to come and meet you locally or support you by phone or email. All you need to do is get in touch to arrange a convenient time.

With access to a wealth of FREE information, Business Gateway can help businesses grow or develop. With research and information sourced from commercial, government and industry bodies we can help you source market intelligence, stay up-to-date with the latest news in your industry, identify competitors and potential customers and whether a potential supplier is reliable.

Micro Business Loan - (CnES - RLF)

This interest-free loan of up to £2,000 aims to encourage the creation and growth of small businesses, which can contribute to new jobs in the local economy. The loan programme is funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Business Loan - (CnES - RLF)

This loan of up to £50,000, repayable over up to seven years at an interest rate normally between 4 and 6% (depending upon amount/security), aims to encourage business start-up and enable business and community developments by assisting with long-term sustainability in the Outer Hebrides. The loan programme is funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Outer Hebrides Fisheries Investment Scheme

Funding available for the purchase of fishing vessels. Loans of up to £100,000 (commercial interest rates apply).

Community Support

The Community Regeneration team offer tailored advice and support to new and developing community businesses and social enterprises.

Business Property Portfolio

A list of business units, properties and land for lease/sale by the Comhairle is available by contacting us. Highlands & Islands Enterprise may also have business units for lease and should be contacted on enquiries@hient.co.uk for further information.

Outer Hebrides Business Directory

Free online directory for all business based in the Outer Hebrides. Find out more.

Outer Hebrides Young Enterprise Support Scheme (OHYESS)

OHYESS is funded by Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and delivered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Business Gateway service. It is designed to fill the gap for business start-up funding for entrepreneurs and development funding for early-stage companies. The scheme provides grant funding for businesses in key sectors that have been trading for no longer than five years. The funding can be used for capital costs only: up to £7,500 grant for full-time businesses and up to £2,500 for part time businesses.

The level of support is normally up to 50% of eligible costs but up to 70% will be available for projects that include any of the following: applicants under 30; net zero, cruise market product development and Uist repopulation zone, child minding services and the construction sector.

Outer Hebrides Business Development Scheme (OHBDS)

OHBDS is designed to help the local economy develop by supporting businesses and social enterprises with grant funding to aid recovery, build resilience and encourage development. The funding can be used for capital costs only: up to £3,000 grant for full-time businesses and up to £1,500 for part time businesses.

For each of the grant schemes (OHYESS, OHYEP, OHBDS), businesses must be based in the Outer Hebrides and applicants must be able to fully fund the project until the grant can be claimed. Payments will only be released upon submission of proof of payment. The funding cannot go towards items or services that have already been purchased. Please note new tourism accommodation projects are ineligible for support.

There are a number of relief schemes available which offer reduced non-domestic rates to qualifying business.

These include reliefs for small businesses (Small Business Bonus Scheme), empty properties, charities, rural businesses, renewable energy producers and nursing care establishments.

Advice and guidance on planning issues is available.

Find out online if you need planning permission or a building warrant, make an application, find out about an application that has been made, or find out more about long term policies such as the Local Plan.

Find out more about planning permission

Find out more about building standards

The work undertaken by Environmental Health includes food safety, environmental protection, public health and housing, environmental health licensing, animal health and welfare and occupational health and safety.

Advice and information is available to help businesses within the Outer Hebrides ensure compliance with this legislation.

Find out more