Shetland Islands Council’s Economic Development Service is to raise awareness of the support available to island businesses through a series of drop-in events from 28th October to 20th November.
Shetland Islands Council’s Economic Development Service is to raise awareness of the support available to island businesses through a series of drop-in events from 28th October to 20th November.
Officers will be on hand to explain the services on offer to new and existing organisations through the Council and Business Gateway, and how this can help people establish, sustain and grow their business.
The Council’s Economic Development Service has a range of tools and mechanisms to help guide and finance business, voluntary and community developments. This includes free advisory and information services through Business Gateway, alongside referrals and signposting to partner agencies. The service can also help get businesses funder ready for a range of grants, loans or other finance, either through direct assistance from the Council or other sources.
This is the third set of drop-in events the service has held, with previous events in Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025, which visited all rural community council areas at least once and most of the islands with small populations, including Skerries, Fetlar and Foula. This time officers will also be visiting Scalloway, as well as two evening drop-in sessions in Lerwick.
The Autumn events this year will take place in the following venues 11am - 4pm, except where marked:
- Tues 28th Oct: Uyeasound Hall
- Wed 29th Oct: Mid Yell Hall
- Thu 30th Oct: North Roe Hall
- Tues 4th Nov: Cunningsburgh Hall
- Wed 5th Nov: Walls Hall
- Wed 5th Nov: Scalloway Hall
- Thu 6th Nov: Voe Hall
- Tues 11th Nov: SIC, Solarhus, 3 North Ness, Lerwick (6pm - 8pm)
- Thu 20th Nov: SIC, Solarhus, 3 North Ness, Lerwick (6pm - 8pm)
The service is also planning an event in Fair Isle.
Tommy Coutts, Executive Manager - Economic Development, said: “Delivering these events throughout Shetland has given us a greater understanding of the range of activities undertaken in the isles by local businesses, voluntary and community groups, and allowed local residents to find out more about our support services.
“Previous events have generated a wide range of requests for support from pre-start to established businesses, and feedback has been really positive. During this round of events, we look forward to finding out about more local projects and exploring ways we can offer support.”
More information on business advice and support can be found on the Council’s website at: www.shetland.gov.uk/business-advice-support.
The Council’s Economic Development Service can be contacted to discuss business ideas on 01595 744940 or economicdevelopment@shetland.gov.uk.