Workshop programme under way

ARGYLL and Bute Council’s Business Gateway will kick off its autumn programme of free workshops with a range of topics to support local businesses.

A one- day business start-up workshop will be held in Oban on Tuesday September 15. For those thinking about selfemployment, this workshop helps attendees develop their ideas into a practical and effective plan for starting a new business.

‘Practical Basic Bookkeeping’ is aimed at those new to business with little or no formal training in book-keeping and will help participants keep accurate financial records.

Places are still available in Lochgilphead on Wednesday September 23.

To book a place or to find out more contact the Business Gateway team on 01546 604555 or email business. gateway@argyll -bute.gov.uk

More workshops will be added to the schedule soon, including a host of new topics such as public relations and advertising, selling skills, pricing for profit and funding a business.

Local businesses at Best of the West Festival

ANYONE looking for inspiration from local craft entrepreneurs can head to the Best of the West Festival which takes place on Saturday September 12 and Sunday September 13 at Inveraray Castle.

Mid Argyll-based glassmaker Kirsty Brady will be showcasing handmade goods from her business, A Touch of Glass, on the Sunday.

Members of the local Business Gateway team will also be on hand to talk about the support available for anyone wanting to start up or grow a business. Skinny Sketcher, Sea Tree, Hiya Pal, Moine Mhor Jewellery and Fyne Silver will all join A Touch of Glass over the course of the weekend to sell their products in the Business Gateway-sponsored craft tent.

Tendering for public sector contracts

ARGYLL and Bute Council’s Business Gateway team is keen to remind businesses and third sector organisations based in Argyll and Bute that they can access a free range of support to help them tender for public sector contracts.

The supplier development programme (SDP) helps businesses improve their performance in winning contracts with public sector organisations, by providing information, news and events that explain the procurement process and help them to prepare.

The support on offer includes access to a programme of free training workshops and events, targeted at different levels of experience, from those who are considering tendering but have not done so yet, to those who have tendered unsuccessfully, to those who are already supplying the public sector.

There is a range of tailored information and guides available from the SDP website, designed to demystify the procurement process and break through the jargon.

In addition, quarterly newsletters and regular email alerts provide updates and information on opportunities.

To access this free support, businesses and third sector organisations need to register their details at www. sdpscotland.co.uk

A new range of workshops will be launched in the autumn and registered businesses will automatically be sent details.