Resort ownership handed to employees

A POPULAR island resort is to transfer ownership to its employees.

Shareholders of the familyrun Auchrannie hotel and spa say they will hand all their shares into an Employee Ownership Trust to “protect” the business against predators.

The resort, which has an annual turnover of £7.3 million and employs 160 people, was set up by Iain and Linda Johnston almost 30 years ago.

The transfer comes despite a number of lucrative offers being made for the business, said Mrs Johnston, who remains as managing director.

She added: “Employee ownership will give the whole Auchrannie team a stake in the continued growth of the business and protect the ethos and values that are shared by everyone who works at Auchrannie.”

The transition to employee ownership is being supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Co-operative Development Scotland and the process is being managed by Co-ownership Solutions LLP.

It is expected that the transfer will be completed next April. CHILDREN in Dundee are looking forward to adding another string to their bow by taking part in a community music project.

A partnership agreement between Sistema Scotland, Optimistic Sound and Dundee City Council has been signed ahead of the launch of the Big Noise Douglas project next autumn.

Pupils at two schools in the Douglas area of Dundee will get the chance to join an orchestra, with music being used to foster confidence, discipline, teamwork, pride and aspiration.

Nicola Killean, chief executive of Sistema Scotland, which works to create permanent social change in deprived communities, was joined by pupils, from left, Ryan Mackenzie, Bella Riddell, Rhylee Traynor and Caitlyn Bertie at Dundee’s Caird Hall yesterday to highlight the project.