Plans for new business resources beside the ferry terminal at Craignure on Mull have moved a step closer with the announcement of Big Lottery funding for the next stage of the feasibility study. The Mull and Iona Community Trust is now contacting businesses in Oban and Lorn who may be interested in using the workspace and facilities available at the resource centre to meet people while visiting the islands on business.

Project Officer, Siân Scott explained “With ferry prices as high as they are it is costly for businesses and their island-based clients to travel between the mainland and the islands by car. The great location of the new offices beside the ferry terminal means any business or organisation can rent a room here on an hourly, daily or annual basis, or use our business facilities, instead of driving around the islands.”

Current plans include the provision of serviced office and meeting room space with audio-visual technology and a dedicated training room.  All facilities will be available for hire on a long or short term with optional reception / secretarial services available. In addition to office space the Community Trust has received interest from a number of businesses wishing to hire a ‘surgery / treatment’ room to provide complementary therapies and counselling services at the centre.

Having already spoken to some local businesses and people involved in other, similar centres in the Western Isles Siân Scott is convinced the resource centre will be well used.  “There will be purpose-built, high quality workspace accommodation, with up-to-date communication technology all under one roof and within walking distance from the Craignure-Oban ferry terminal. This means less time spent travelling the islands and more time spent meeting people, checking e-mails, making business calls, catching up on paperwork etc!  So why not leave your vehicle at Oban, rent a base at Craignure with the use of technologies and services you need to get on with your job and meet all your island-based clients at the centre? The Columba Centre on Islay, for example attracts a diverse range of users including council departments, government agencies and private businesses such as banks, solicitors and therapists with a high level of usage by mainland-based organisations and businesses.”

Social Enterprise
Sandy Brunton, Chair of the Community Trust said “This is not only a great opportunity to increase island business activities but by hiring space in the centre users will be directly supporting a community charity, as all surpluses generated from rental income will be ploughed back into the Trust to support other community charities and voluntary groups on Mull and Iona. I would urge any organisation that has business on Mull and requires workspace and/or facilities to fill in the questionnaire.”