Business Development

Business Plan preparation for Sandwick Social and Economic Development Company. This is an example of our work with community groups who are trying to revive the fortunes of a small village that has seen a number of adverse changes.  The project involved developing a marketing plan, a management and personnel plan, developing a funding package and a model to measure and monitor performance.

Music Venue Stage 1 Lottery Application and Business Plan 2005. This project included preparation of a funding package for a £6 million project and to produce a business plan for the operation of a new Cinema and Music Venue in Lerwick, Shetland with several scenarios to establish a breakeven point and possible level of ongoing support required.

Shetland Seafood Auctions Business Plan. This involved securing funding from the European Fisheries Fund for a new venture and production of a business plan to guide its operation in individual years.

Preliminary Assessment of Tearoom project in Walls. Preliminary analysis of the potential for the provision of a tearoom facility in a rural area of Mainland Shetland.  It examined the demand for a tearoom in the area in the context of existing and proposed provisions, and assessed the likely impact on the adjacent shop.

Shetland Rural Development Advisers Business Plan. Involved creating plans for marketing, premises, management and personnel, finance and a performance measuring and monitoring plan with objectives and targets. 

Abattoir Business Plan. A B Associates were commissioned to produce a business plan from proposals for a privately run abattoir in Shetland.  The business plan included provision of advice for planning and plans for management and personnel and financial projections.

Shetland Oil Storage Depot Study. This work was done in conjunction with Arch Henderson LLP, Civil and Structural Engineers, Architects and CDM Co-ordinators and involved looking at the existing arrangements of facilities for supply, storage and distribution of fuels in Shetland.  An audit of recent trends and market analysis was carried out before discussions with companies and agencies to generate a range of different options.  An options appraisal was carried out with using a matrix analysis of the key factors and the pros and cons of each one.  This was followed by a review of the project economic and financial aspects and possible funding options then ended with plans and costings for the preferred option.

Fair Isle Bird Observatory. In the first instance, A B Associates carried out an options appraisal followed by a feasibility study examining proposals to build a new bird observatory or Fair Isle.  A B Associates were also commissioned to develop a business plan beginning with analysis of the current usage of the facility, SWOT analysis and assessment of the economic and social impacts of the project.  Plans for promotion and marketing, management and training, infrastructure, legal requirements and finance were all developed as part of the business plan.  Following this a funding package was developed, sourcing funds from a great variety of sources including HIE Shetland, Shetland Islands Council, Shetland Islands Charitable Trust, Shetland Amenity Trust, SNH, Lottery, ERDF and other trusts.  The total cost was £4 million.  A B Associates was responsible for overseeing and managing the whole process.

Grieg Seafoods. A B Associates has carried out a wide range of projects over a number of years for several of the companies within this group.  This has included producing a business plan, sourcing a funding package for Lerwick Fish Traders in order to create a new value added processing factory with overflow.

Lerwick Childcare Centre Business Plan. This report was compiled on behalf of the Shetland Childcare Partnership.  The first stage of the study was to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within the sector locally followed by developing plans for development of the centre around issues such as a site/building to house the centre, use of space, staffing, fee rates.  An analysis of demand and potential demand was carried out based on three scenarios as well as analysis of competition.  Targets with timescales were drawn up and a plan for management and personnel was created.