TO mark Ayrshire Business Week, a major showcase of talent and expertise across the vibrant Ayrshire economy, we are shining a spotlight on some of our best success stories, and the vital support network on our doorstep. 

Shire Housing tell of their success at the Awards Gala dinner, while Team North Ayrshire, Business Gateway and Business Loans Scotland describe how they can help growing firms reach their full potential.

Business Gateway DigitalBoost

Being digital not only transforms the customer experience, it can make running a business easier, and thanks to Business Gateway’s DigitalBoost programme it’s never been easier to upload online success.

Run on behalf of Digital Scotland by Business Gateway, DigitalBoost offers you access to a range of free support, including:

Workshops: Run throughout the year, DigitalBoost workshops provide local businesses with access to practical, hands on advice that can help grow your digital footprint. To find out what is on offer visit www.bgateway.com/events.

Online digital health check: It just takes five minutes to answer a few simple questions on your digital strengths and weaknesses and in return you’ll find out where technology could fit into your business and improve your performance, profits and people, and get the support you need to take the next step.

Downloadable guides: Found at www.bgateway.com, these guides highlight how technology can improve your business. Guides are available on topics such as Social Media Strategy, Cyber Resilience, GDPR, Search Engine Optimisation and Digital Marketing Strategy.

Online tutorials: Free and available 24/7, the online tutorial series offers advice and tips on the likes of paid advertising, cyber resilience and digital marketing.

One-to-one support: Up to 21 hours of support from a digital specialist for eligible businesses, contact your local Business Gateway office for more information.

Specific information is available by visiting www.bgateway.com/digitalboost or by calling Business Gateway on 01292 616 349 (Ayr), 01294 449 944 (Irvine) or 01563 576 987 (Kilmarnock). 

North Ayrshire Council – TEAM North Ayrshire

Whether you have a brilliant idea that you want to develop, are seeking access to new markets, realising your expansion plans or investigating relocation options, Team North Ayrshire can help you access the wealth of expertise and support available.

Team North Ayrshire is a group of private, public and third sector partners working together to support local businesses.

Five years since it was launched, their award winning, innovative approach to business development and economic growth is paying off across North Ayrshire.

They have proved that by working together and offering bespoke packages of support and expertise to businesses, this has helped them to grow and become more competitive.

Over the last two years, Team North Ayrshire has supported 266 new business start-ups and supported 644 businesses and they have helped create 1,243 jobs. Over the last three years, they have seen a 91% increase in the number of unemployed people who have progressed to employment through Council funded or operated schemes.

To find out more call their Business Advisers on 01294 449944 or visit www.northayrshireforbusiness.com

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

Shire Housing

Shire Housing were congratulated after winning at the 2018 Ayrshire Business Awards ceremony. They were presented with the Excellence in Customer Service Award, which is sponsored by Seamill Hydro.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

Lynn Miller, head of customer service, accepted the award on behalf of Shire Housing Association. She said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won being up against three other remarkable companies.

“It’s a big boost for us. We have been on an improvement drive, making sure our customers drive what we do and we’re absolutely delighted that that hard work has been recognised.

“We had previously been finalists and winners in the Business Excellence Awards. This was our first Ayrshire Business Award.”

Find out more about Shire Housing here: https://shirehousing.co.uk/

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

Business Loans Scotland – helping businesses to bridge the funding gap

Supporting thirty-three SMEs across sixteen local authority areas to date, Business Loans Scotland can help to bridge the funding gap by providing loan finance of up to £100,000 to new and growing Scottish SMEs.

Glenammer Engineering, based in Ayr, were recently awarded a loan totalling £100,000 to enable full control of manufacturing their high-quality laboratory test sieves in-house.

Speaking of the loan awarded Managing Director of Glenammer Engineering, Claire Wallis said: “We very much appreciate Business Loans Scotland’s help towards our project. We found the procedures to be straight-forward and the processes went smoothly. We would recommend BLS to any SMEs who are seeking financial support to expand their business.”

With a dedicated pot of five million pounds available, Business Loans Scotland are keen to speak with any business who may be interested in receiving gap funding. To find out more or to start the application process, please visit the Business Loans Scotland website – www.bls.scot

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

This commercial feature was brought to you by our various partners mentioned above. Please visit their websites for more information.