BUSINESS INSIGHT: Some Highland tourism firms are still feeling the pain of Brexit
With the passing of the summer solstice this week and the region's tourism sector being in full swing, it has been pleasing to hear from some members that visitor numbers are at record levels.
Whilst this is good news, the staffing challenges continue to limit operational delivery and therefore until the hospitality and tourism industry can have support to replace the large number of foreign workers lost after Brexit, organisational growth and investment will be somewhat limited across the sector.
Housing continues to be a critical component of the region's growth and with Highland Council declaring a “Housing Challenge” this week, it highlights the scale of need and investment that will have to come through at pace to keep up with the timetables of industry delivery in the coming decade and beyond.
It was pleasing to see the Scottish Government amendment to the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan, to better reflect the revised number of homes needed to meet the region's economic opportunities and ambition, particularly those deriving from the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.
Our key industries continue to see challenges in gaining certainty for connections to the Grid Network. Onshore and offshore renewable energy projects are high-profile examples but our manufacturing, transport, tourism, telecoms, food and drink industries and our public sector bodies all need a grid network that supports decarbonisation alongside development.
Last week, Prosper partnered with HIE to host a roundtable event uniting representatives from these sectors and industries alongside National Grid ESO, SSEN Transmission and SSEN Distribution. Talks included information about the positive reforms planned for connections queue management, increased opportunities to engage with the reform process and the whole-system long-term approach which is needed for meeting net zero ambitions. Early engagement and aggregation of need to build a place-based picture of evidence will be a key component in securing timely investment from Ofgem.
Prosper’s 2024 Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards are open for entries across nine different categories. Nominate your own or other organisations who are doing great things.
Grant Campbell is Prosper’s regional manager.
