Libraries across the north-east will become the unlikely breeding grounds for the region’s newest business enterprises.
In the coming weeks and months, they will be the venues for workshops designed to support entrepreneurs and help them thrive.
At the heart of the Library Innovation Network Aberdeenshire (LINA) is an effort to bring together fledgling businessmen and women who might otherwise find themselves working in isolation.
And yesterday Banff and Peterhead become the first libraries to play host to the meetings, which are taking place through a partnership Robert Gordon University and Aberdeenshire Council.
Chris Moule, head of RGU’s entrepreneurship and innovation group, said: “Scotland’s rural economy is bursting with talent and potential.
“Aberdeenshire has a lot to offer in terms of start-ups and growing businesses and LINA recognises the importance of enabling these rural entrepreneurial communities to flourish and thrive.”
In addition to the weekly workshops, the libraries will also be co-working spaces for access to wi-fi and printing facilities.
Mr Moule added: “This is an opportunity to allow local entrepreneurs to get to know one another, reduce loneliness and provide access to the information they need to help take their business to the next level.”
There will be information days about the LINA workshops on October 11 and 18 at Banff and October 10 and 17 at Peterhead.
The workshops will then start on October 24 at Peterhead and October 25 at Banff, running once a week for 6 weeks.
Ally Shaw, who runs online jewellery shop Feral Strumpet, is among those hopeful the initiative will help her business.
She said: “I will be looking to understand more about other business models and meet other business owners in Banff.
“I currently don’t know any business owners in the local area and because I work from home and my business is online, it can often be quite lonely.”
“I already make use of the library in Banff fairly regularly to find inspiration for my jewellery.
“I think this will be a great opportunity to meet other business owners, share ideas and be more creative.”
Chief executive of Aberdeenshire Council, Jim Savage, hopes the initiative will be a huge success – and believes the entrepreeurs of the future may also benefit.
“I hope this will also inspire young academy pupils and will help them see what’s out there for them,” he said.
The workshops are free to attend and booking is not required.
Macduff and Fraserburgh libraries are the next locations for LINA, with meetings to launch in early 2020.