Businesses Dial HIE For Good Advice

23rd January 2009

Businesses in the Highlands and Islands have been making good use of a new telephone adviceline set up to provide tailored expertise during the current economic downturn.

Launched on January 5 the advice line is one of seven initiatives set up by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) aimed at helping businesses in the region through the current trading period.

So far around 75 business representatives have dialled 08000 884884 to discuss issues with an expert adviser and just over a quarter of these have gone on to book a free one-to-one discussion session.

HIE regional director Carroll Buxton explained: "Queries have covered a vast array of subjects, they have not been confined to difficulties with borrowing although this clearly is a problem for many businesses. We have been able to provide on-the-spot advice and offer prompt appointments for those seeking more detailed discussions, the next day in many instances."

HIE is also providing a detailed range of vital information and diagnostic tools on www.hiebusiness.co.uk - its dedicated business advice and information site.

A further component of the agency's seven-point support plan gets underway in Kirkwall on February 4, with the first in a programme of business clinics at which agencies, institutions and advisers will be on hand to answer queries and give presentations on subjects such as tax rules and export opportunities. A second clinic will be held in Lerwick, on February 5 and with other dates proposed for Stornoway, Benbecula, Thurso, Inverness, Tain, Fort William, Portree, Ullapool, Elgin, Oban, Dunoon and Campbeltown.

In addition, the first of a series of live videoed masterclasses began last week with a presentation at Horizon Scotland in Forres by Sir Richard Needham, international and commercial director of Dyson. Fifty people attended the presentation on 'Business Survival Through a Recession', and around 400 logged on to watch and participate online.

The agency has also announced the acceleration of two of its capital projects, a £1.2m business unit at Dunoon's Sandbank Business Park, in Argyll and a £2.1m unit at the Enterprise Park, Forres, in Moray, with work already underway, for the benefit of the construction industry.