Game On In Thurso
28th January 2003
Computer game enthusiasts in the far north are all rushing to Thurso, with the opening of a dedicated computer gaming centre in the town.
With assistance from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE), and a great deal of encouragement from his family, Michael Mathews (23) has set up Game Time Limited.
Michael - who still works part-time for Morson International writing computer programmes - has revamped a former newsagents shop in Thurso's High Street. He has installed 10 networked PCs where customers can take part in different games, either as individuals or with other players and local leagues are being set up for the most popular games.
Michael is also making plans to link up with other UK computer gaming centres in order for clients to take part in national leagues over the internet. Customers can also surf the net from the PCs and help is available for beginners.
A member of the Virtual Gaming Alliance, Game Time Limited has created three new part-time jobs. In addition, the business will provide part-time work for Michael and a full-time job for his mother Penny who will be taking care of the day-to-day administration of the business.
A building and development grant from CASE of £5,000 and HIE-Starts funding has helped Michael get the business off the ground. HIE- Starts is a programme designed to help new businesses by providing a regular income for the first twelve months of trading, usually the most difficult time for fledgling businesses.
Commenting on his new venture, Michael Mathew said: "I would like to thank CASE and my parents for their assistance, without it I would not be able to set up Game Time Limited. I would like to encourage everyone to come and have a go, even if they have never played before, we can help get people started."
CASE's HIE-Starts manager, Ian Thomson said: "New business starts are a key economic driver in the economy of Caithness and we are particularly encouraged by Michael's venture. This business is unique to the area and will provide young and old alike with a new activity to enjoy.
"It is also good to see a disused property in the Thurso High Street being brought back into use."
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Community organisations in the region which are delivering, reshaping or reintroducing vital community services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, are being encouraged to check their eligibility for a Scottish Government fund. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is administering the Communities Recovery Fund (CRF) in the region.
Planning consent has been granted for a new life sciences innovation centre on Inverness Campus. The 2500m² facility is a joint project between Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands.
An Isle of Lewis-based television production company has recently expanded its development team with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Catriona Lexy Campbell has been recruited by award-winning firm, MacTV, as a development researcher to help increase the company's global appeal and to build on its success to date.
The plans were announced today (Tuesday 17 November) by ALVANCE Aluminium, operator of the Fort William plant. Responding to the news, Alastair Nicolson HIE's area manager for Skye Lochaber and Wester Ross, said:"Fort William's aluminium smelter has been a cornerstone of the Lochaber economy for generations.
Sixteen community group representatives from Shetland to Galloway will be expanding their horizons digitally this weekend as they look at the future of Scottish tourism. The group is taking part in Communities Leading in Tourism, a specialist programme offered by partners Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), and delivered on the ground by the Social Enterprise Academy (SEA).
A business support programme aimed at developing the next generation of entrepreneurs is to be extended across the Highlands and Islands. IMPACT30 is currently operated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in the Highland Council area, as part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.
Cairngorm will benefit from more than £20 million to make it a year-round attraction, generating significant economic benefits for the local area and Scotland's tourism sector. Funded by the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), more than £16 million of the investment will be used to support reinstatement of Scotland's only funicular railway and bring it back into service during winter 2021-22.
Renewable energy industry groups in Scotland and Germany are joining forces to boost the production of both offshore wind energy and green hydrogen. The north of Scotland's offshore wind cluster organisation, DeepWind, has today (Wednesday 23 September 2020) signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its German counterpart, WAB.
A project to create accommodation facilities at Kishorn dry dock in Wester Ross has secured investment of up to £94,675 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Having on-site accommodation will enhance the dock's capacity and help it attract more high-end contracts in offshore renewables and oil and gas decommissioning.
£2 million for locally-led green recovery. Island communities will benefit from a £2 million programme of locally-led green projects designed to help support their economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
