Young Wester Ross entrepreneur wins £32k Highlands and Islands Enterprise investment to help with planned £64k Lochalsh expansion of Chocolates of Glenshiel; hoping to boost productivity of Ratagan-based firm and employ more people
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A YOUNG west coast firm is embarking on a £64,000 expansion to increase its productivity and employ more people.
Chocolates of Glenshiel Limited was established in 2018 by local teenager, Finlay MacDonald. The company is based in Ratagan on the shores of Loch Duich in Lochalsh.
It has secured a £32,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the cost of the expansion project, which includes upgrading its premises and installing larger scale equipment.
The investment is expected to bring about an increase of more than £200,000 in company turnover and create three new jobs.
Confirming the HIE investment, development manager Caroline Forsyth, said: “We have been very impressed with the ambition of Chocolates of Glenshiel, which is providing valuable employment in a very rural location. This young company sits within the growing food and drink sector, but is also closely aligned with tourism, another growth industry.
“It is in an excellent position to take the next step in its growth journey, and we are delighted to be able to support this investment.”
Chocolates of Glenshiel prides itself on using local and Scottish ingredients such as Skye Salt, Scottish gins and whiskies, to flavour their chocolate products.
Finlay said: “Following our expansion and the launch of our range of chocolate bars, we are looking to discover a range of delis, gift shops and farm shops where we can showcase and sell our products with.
"This is a really exciting turning point in our business. With our increased capacity, growing team of chocolatiers and gorgeous new look to our products we are ready to reach out to Scotland and beyond with our delicious chocolate."
