A Caithness couple are embarking on a new business venture with help from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE).
Louise and Peter Sinclair from Keiss are in the process of establishing the Sinclair Bay Lobster Company, which will buy lobsters in the summer months when prices are at their lowest and store them live until the winter when a premium price can be sought for the product. In addition to this, they are also trading shellfish on a weekly basis.
CASE has awarded the Sinclair Bay Lobster Company a business development grant worth £6,000 towards the costs of building and equipping the lobster storage tank and £4,100 via the HIE Starts programme. HIE Starts is an Network-wide initiative which provides valuable business advice and financial support - in the form monthly allowance - to help new businesses negotiate the first 12 months of trading, which are often the hardest.
Louise will be responsible for the day to day running of the Sinclair Bay Lobster Company while Peter continues to work offshore until such times as the business becomes established.
Commenting on their new venture, she said: "Peter and I are delighted to be able to start our own business and we are grateful to CASE for all their advice and support. As far as possible we plan to buy our lobsters and other shellfish locally and sell them to a variety of customers, both nationally and on a more local level to hotels and restaurants. At the moment we are seeking new suppliers, so we would be delighted to hear from any as soon as possible."
Senior business counsellor with CASE, Ian Thomson said: "The HIE Starts programme helps new businesses get off to a good start and is flexible allowing people to start their businesses on a full-time or part-time basis."
