Latest news with #Comhairle
STV News
22-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Plans to turn former Jehovah's Witness meeting hall into juice bar lodged
Plans to convert a former Jehovah's Witness meeting hall to a juice bar and cafe in Stornoway are among recent planning applications made to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The application would change the use of the former Jehovah's Witnesses meeting hall at 30 Church Street into a juice bar and cafe. The proposal would see the upper floor space of the former meeting hall being converted to designs by DBM Design and Engineering for the applicant, Joanna Morrison. Details of the proposals can be found on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's online planning portal, with a deadline for comments on Monday June 2. Meanwhile plans for a new house to be built at 3a Horgabost, Isle of Harris, have been submitted to the Comhairle by local resident, Johnathon MacKay. The project proposed is a single storey, four-bedroomed family home with a domestic garage in the village, located to the east of the village, and documents submitted with the application state the proposed site is within croft land currently owned (tenant) by a relative of the applicant on the opposite side of the road from the original croft house, and situated approximately 70m off the village road. Designs for the house, by MacIver Consultancy Services, detail that the development is located in a National Scenic Area and state that 'the position of the site has been carefully chosen in order to be low-lying in the topography of the area to reduce its visual impact.' Details of the proposals can be found on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's online planning portal. An application for planning permission in principle has been submitted to the Comhairle for the erection of a dwelling house at 17c Valtos, Uig, Isle of Lewis, on croft land at 16-17 Valtos, by Malcolm MacDonald of Valtos. Design drawings, by Total Design (Lighthill) Ltd, submitted with the application outline that the proposed house would have an 'indicative footprint' of 12ms x 8ms. An application to change the use of a storage shed and 'ancillary residential cabin' to form two units of holiday accommodation at Cuithir House, Grean, Isle of Barra, has been submitted to the Comhairle by Phillip Harvey of Barradise Ltd. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
01-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Council to work with island distillery after 'regrettable' job cuts
A council has said it will work with a whisky distillery in the Outer Hebrides after it announced job cuts as part of a restructuring programme. The Isle of Harris Distillery announced on Tuesday that restructuring was needed to 'safeguard the future' of the business. Best known for being the maker of the Isle of Harris Gin, the distillery was established a decade ago with just ten employees. Now employing 50 people, the company will commence with a round of voluntary and potentially compulsory redundancies. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has said it will engage with the distillery in an effort to raise any solutions to retain employees following the announcement. In a statement, the distillery's managing director Simon Erlanger said challenging headwinds in the spirits industry had led to 'incredibly difficult decisions'. He said: 'In a move to safeguard the future of our business, today we are introducing a restructuring programme which will see reduced production and workforce at the distillery. 'Much like our colleagues in the wider spirits industry, we are facing challenging headwinds which have led to some incredibly difficult decisions. 'Following a number of cost-cutting measures, voluntary redundancy is being offered to staff in the first instance, with compulsory to follow thereafter if we do not fulfil our cost reduction target. It is deeply regrettable we find ourselves in this situation and would like to take the opportunity to thank our entire team, particularly those affected by the changes, for their dedication and contribution to the business. 'To date, Isle of Harris Distillery represents a £20m+ investment in the island economy. We remain true to our founding purpose as a sustainable, multi-generational firm built to support the community for many years to come. The regrettable measures now being taken are necessary to help fulfil that long term vision.' The news comes after The Scottish Whisky Association warned that tariffs imposed by the US – its most important overseas market – would be a 'huge blow' to the spirits industry. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar described The Isle of Harris Distillery as a 'world-renowned brand' and said they will reach out to the UK and Scottish Governments in an effort to gain an understanding into any external factors affecting the restructuring. Cllr Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: 'Our primary concern following this announcement is the wellbeing of the employees impacted by this decision and their families. 'It is incredibly disappointing that one of the islands most recognisable brands has made the clearly difficult decision to make staff redundant. The Comhairle will engage with the distillery to discuss this matter and support any solutions to retain employees and strengthen the business. 'It is important that we gain an understanding of external factors that may have contributed to this situation. The Comhairle will make representation to UK and Scottish Government on these factors where appropriate.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
