Scilly Business Week: 9th – 13th March

The Council of the Isles of Scilly and the Islands' Partnership have teamed up to offer a week of bespoke support for business owners, sole traders and budding entrepreneurs living and working across the islands. 

Scilly Business Week takes place from Monday 9th March to Friday 13th March and has been designed to help island businesses make more money by gaining a better understanding of and more confidence in delivering a service or selling a product that is both highly sustainable and more profitable.  

The week will offer a series of free workshops, presentations and one-to-one advice for business owners in all industries – from retailers and restauranteurs, to manufacturers and trade service providers, and from accommodation providers to artists.

Sessions will include how to introduce simple marketing techniques to boost business revenues, an introduction to Google ads and analytics, merchandising and developing online retail sales; succession planning for (family) businesses, managing TripAdvisor and online reputation management, book-keeping and financial awareness, improving the customer experience, profitable manufacturing, recruiting and retaining good seasonal staff, and intellectual property and copyright protection.

There’ll also be an informal evening event with drinks and nibbles at Tregarthen’s Hotel – a chance to network with fellow business operators as well as hear a couple of short presentations about Scilly’s economic future, both within the tourism sector and across the wider business community.  

“This is an excellent opportunity for business owners across Scilly to really immerse themselves in how they can grow their trade profitably and operate efficiently,” says David Jackson, Executive Director Islands’ Partnership. “The sessions will be highly practical, and supplemented by useful one-to-ones where businesses can seek specific advice regarding their own particular needs.”

“This programme also provides an opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to think creatively about Scilly’s overall offering,” adds Isles of Scilly Councillor, Gareth O’Neill. “As a community it is important that we seek a more diversified economic strategy and this is a valuable stepping stone for anyone looking to gain a greater understanding and confidence in operating a viable business on the islands.”

All the sessions are absolutely free, but places are limited to 20 per session, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Participants can book their places by calling the Council’s Lifelong Learning office on 01720 424880 or emailing lifelonglearning@scilly.gov.uk.