Showing enterprise

It has been great to see how busy Oban and the surrounding areas have been this year.

As we reported recently, economically, the region has enjoyed a boom time, with tourists flocking in and the excellent local hospitality sector making the most of the upturn in fortunes.

Added to that, it’s gratifying to be able to inform our readers this week on the status of the Premier Inn planned for the site of the old bowling alley in Shore Street, Oban.

Indeed, it is a positive sign of confidence in the town’s future by a major business. The good news is that Oban will be in a position to accommodate even more tourists once the hotel is open, as well as providing up to 25 new jobs in the town.

But the new Premier Inn is not the only enterprise indicating its confidence. Work has been continuing on the renovation of the Caledonian Hotel, which, hopefully, will be ready to open again in the spring.

And recent days have seen the excellent Argyll Enterprise Week, with a number of events held. We at The Oban

Times have been delighted to be media partners and have been heavily involved.

And we have a similar role to play in our northern circulation area with Lochaber Ideas Week, promulgated by the district’s Chamber of Commerce and taking place from November 14-18.

These things don’t always blip large on people’s radar but they are of considerable importance to all our futures and prosperity, and we are fortunate indeed that we have such dedicated local activists organising these events.