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
A sand mining company in Lochaber is set to double its production and increase annual turnover by more than £2.6m. Lochaline Quartz Sand Limited (LQS) has secured up to £230,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the £855,000 costs of upgrading equipment on site.
The newly appointed head of business growth for Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE) in Argyll and the Islands is to focus on expanding the agency's portfolio of business clients. Liam Orr, originally from Benderloch near Oban, took up the post in early December and leads HIE’s business growth team across an area covering Argyll and Bute, Arran and the Cumbraes.
An Aviemore-based adventure tourism operator has made significant progress in sustainability over the past two years by investing in e-bikes, e-vehicles and a carbon labelling system. Wilderness Scotland has reduced its scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions by 16 percent through its commitment to business decarbonisation.
The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain looks set to be back in action towards the end of December or early in the new year. Contractor Balfour Beatty has confirmed that, weather permitting, its current programme of remediation works on the viaduct that supports the railway is due to finish in the next week to 10 days, after which teams working for the company plan to demobilise from the mountainside.
Fetcha Chocolates is investing in new equipment to quadruple its capacity, increase turnover and create employment. An Argyll based chocolate manufacturer is investing in new equipment to quadruple its capacity, increase turnover and create employment.
Is your young business ready for the next step?. The Young Business Capital Grant helps young businesses and social enterprises (under 5 years old) invest in projects that stimulate growth.
Shell-volution is an ambitious industry-wide initiative supported by the public sector and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) which has been awarded £4.4 million of investment from the UK Government as part of the Islands Growth Deal. This innovative, ground-breaking project is set to transform shellfish aquaculture, bringing sustainable growth and additional quality jobs in mussel farming, based on detailed investigations (mapping and monitoring) and creating a model for improving security and reliability of wild spat recruitment, through industry best practice.
A Nairn-based foundry, which has achieved international recognition for its larger-than-life bronze castings has invested in a £200,000 expansion to help it reach greater heights. An award of £60,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has helped Black Isle Bronze to improve infrastructure and purchase equipment to extend the range of projects the firm can undertake.
Young businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands looking to increase productivity, innovation and employment can apply for funding from HIE. The fourth round of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Young Business Capital Grant (YBCG) is now open to businesses that have been trading for less than five years with up to 250 full-time equivalent employees.
Ambitious young businesspeople in the Highlands and Islands have just one more chance to benefit from a tailored support programme. IMPACT30 was launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 2018 to help nurture and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.
