Spirits kept high for artisan food producer after expansion into new premises

About the business

Island Larder is a family-owned business that champion producers using quality ingredients. They are committed to sustainability and social justice, and hand pick the best food and drink makers that ensure unparalleled deliciousness.

How Business Gateway has helped

Business Gateway supported Nicola and Magnus through 1:1 business support and helped identify potential routes to funding that would enable the growth of the business. Following this, the team, which has grown from three to 13, has relocated to larger premises where developments for a new café are currently underway.

Thanks to the larger premises, the business has been able to expand its offering, with capacity to offer a range of exciting new services including chocolate workshops, educational trips, birthday parties and gourmet street food takeaway, all of which have proved popular with the locals over the last year.

Additionally, their most recent venture, a fresh and local ice cream offering, was made possible thanks to funding opportunities signposted by Business Gateway and sales forecasts.

Island Larder’s recent transformation, as well as their story, can be seen on their brand-new website, created with the support of Business Gateway and funding secured through the Shetland LEADER Programme 2014-2020.

Nicola Johnston, owner of Island Larder, said: “When we originally launched the business, we wanted to diversify the offering in Lerwick to give customers a fun, vibrant place to dine and shop.

“We had visions for an all-encompassing project from the beginning, but we had nowhere near enough space. Without Business Gateway’s advice and support, we may not have received the funding that we needed in time, which would have significantly delayed developments in the new premises.”