Here to Help: Support to Get You Started!
Starting a business is exciting – but it’s also when you are most likely to be in need of some extra support. Caithness Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in the North Highlands, offering a portfolio of support and advice services to businesses across Caithness and Sutherland.
The Chamber provides tailored support and hands-on assistance to help your business thrive. Whether you’re looking for advice on sustainability, starting up a business for the first time, or want to find out more about the support available to help your business, the Chamber is here to help!
Representing over 300 businesses in the North Highlands, the Chamber’s team understands first-hand the unique challenges businesses in the region face. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow, we’re here to help with friendly, expert advice tailored to your needs.
Caithness Chamber of Commerce Business Support
Starting up your own business can be a daunting process, and it’s often hard to know where to turn for advice. Wtith hanks to support from NRS Dounreay, the Chamber is able to offer free advice and guidance to help you as you start up your business.
Whether you’re taking your very first steps and are not sure how to begin, or you’re an experienced entrepreneur looking for bespoke support to help move your plans forward, the Chamber is here to help!
Access to Funding, Advice and Support
The North Highlands is a great place to start a business, and there is a fantastic network of support organisations to help you get started.
Caithness Business Fund: Provides grants of up to £5,000 to help small businesses grow and expand. Support is also available to help cover the costs of employing apprentices, making it easier to invest in your team and future workforce.
North Highland Regeneration Fund: This initiative is designed to pump-prime both the start-up of new ventures and the growth of existing businesses. It offers loans of up to £50,000 for investment and business development.
Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE): Tailored support including funding, advice, property and events for businesses, communities and social enterprises of all sizes and within all sectors across the Highlands and Islands.
Business Gateway: Your gateway to expert local business advice and practical guidance. Whichever sector your business is in, or whatever stage it is at, their one-to-one support, specialist advice, business skills workshops and networking events are here to help. They have business advisers based in offices all over the Highland area, so you can easily get in touch with one of their experienced and friendly team on the phone, by email, or in person.
Business Property
Caithness and Sutherland offer an excellent range of business properties, catering to a variety of needs—from hot-desking opportunities in local business centres to large industrial spaces.
Whether you’re looking to start a new venture in the region, expand an existing business, or relocate from elsewhere, you’re sure to find a property that suits your requirements.
With good transport links and a skilled local supply chain, Caithness and Sutherland provide the ideal environment for commercial and industrial development, with a variety of premises perfectly suited for industrial use.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise have an extensive property portfolio across the North Highland region managed by a specialist property team. Search the listings on the HIE website to find your new business home in Caithness and Sutherland
Looking for some desk space?
Whether you are looking to move out of the home office, start a new business or simply a hot desk if you are visiting for the first time, there are flexible and affordable workspace options available across the North Highlands.
Naver Business Centre
Naver Business Centre in Thurso offers serviced office accommodation, a choice of meeting rooms, and flexible hot-desking spaces. Tenants enjoy 24/7 access with a reception service during office hours, and can benefit from a wide range of business services available on site.
