Submission from Chris Ryan on behalf of 52 Lewis and Harris businesses – 3 April 2008 Dear Sir/Madam 7-DAY FERRY SERVICES TO LEWIS & HARRIS The undersigned businesses, all based in the Western Isles, request that Sunday ferry services to Lewis & Harris should be introduced in the summer of 2008. This will be a necessary and long overdue development with the potential to improve the islands’ tourism industry in line with the Scottish Governments’ target of a 50% increase in tourism revenues. The proposed introduction of RET fares from October 2008 is also likely to result in increased demand and additional capacity will be needed to cope with peak season demand, particularly at weekends. However, our view as businesses is that Sunday services must be phased-in ahead of RET and that they should certainly be in place for summer 2008. Apart from the immediate boost for the local economy, this would give accommodation providers and tourism related businesses an indication of the response to weekend services and allow for business planning for the summer of 2009, which is the Year of Homecoming. Quite apart from the many social benefits, Sunday ferry services will make a major difference to the local economy by extending the tourist season, enabling businesses to work more efficiently and spreading visitor benefits throughout the islands. As a specific example, the Hebridean Celtic Festival, held in July, attracts over 15,000 people and contributes over £1m to the local economy. A Sunday ferry service would mean that many visitors to the festival would stay an extra night, enjoy all 4 –days of the festival and see more of the islands. The businesses listed are just a sample of those that support and would benefit from the normalisation of ferry links to Lewis & Harris. Representatives of these businesses are willing to meet with the Committee of Inquiry if there is an opportunity. Please reply to myself and I will copy your reply to all the co-signatories of this letter. Yours faithfully, Chris Ryan Out and About Tours CONTACT BUSINESS NAME & ADDRESS Donnie & Dena Macdonald RODIL HOTEL Rodil, Isle of Harris James Crawford TIGH MEALROS Garynahine, Isle of Lewis Angus M Smith WILD BLUE Aignish, Isle of Lewis Eileen Macdonald DOUNE BRAES HOTEL Carloway, Isle of Lewis Johannes Engebretsen VIKING PAINTBALL Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Charles Engebretsen ENGEBRET LTD Stornoway Isle of Lewis Charles Engebretsen THE TRADING POST Stornoway, Isle of Lewis David Pearce CARLTON LOUNGE & BAR 19 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis John Mackinnon JOHN MACKINNON IMAGES 67 Upper Bayble, Isle of Lewis C. A. Mackay SUNDOWN COTTAGES, Achmore, Isle of Lewis K. Stewart MOJA 14 New Street, Back, Isle of Lewis Murdo Macaulay HEBRIDES DESIGN SERVICES Keose, Isle of Lewis Moray Weir THE STAR INN 13 South Beach, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Alex Tearse REEFNET 17 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Tim Pickering ADVENTURE HEBRIDES 28 Coll, Back, Isle of Lewis Tim Pickering & Tommy BIKE HEBRIDES Cunningham 28 Coll, Back, Isle of Lewis Donald Macinnes MOLLANS COTTAGES 32, North Shawbost, Isle of Lewis Anna Murray BREANISH TWEED Adabrock, Ness, Isle of Lewis Peter Morrison CROFT COTTAGE 52 Newmarket, Isle of Lewis Jason King J KING BOILER SERVICING Knock Point Isle of Lewis Ian Fordham BROADBAY HOUSE Back, Isle of Lewis Bernard Fish & Geraldine LOCH ERISORT INN Curran South Lochs, Isle of Lewis Lisa Maclean CROWBERRY Back, Isle of Lewis Graham Lowder HAL O’THE WYND Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Chris Ryan OUT AND ABOUT TOURS Valasay, Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis Cree Mackenzie HEBRIDEAN SEAFOODS Scaliscro Lodge, Uig, Isle of Lewis Graham Maclellan HEBRIDES SELF-CATERING 7 Sand Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Sue & Alex Blair BORGH POTTERY Borgh, Isle of Lewis Derek Macleod HEBSURF Brue, Isle of Lewis Abarok Ali STORNOWAY BALTI HOUSE North Beach St, Stornoway Anne Ryan VALASAY SELF-CATERING HOLIDAYS Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis Neil Stewart STORNOWAY SPARES 8 Bells Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Ross Macleod LIMELIKE 26 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Coinneach Macleod WELCOME INN Barvas, Isle of Lewis Barbara Burns BARBARABURNS B&B 34 Newton Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Moira & Tim Baker TRAKMINER Valasay, Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis Marie Maclennan WESTWINDS 34 Newton Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Derek Macpherson FERNLEA 9 Matheson Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis John M Maciver JOHN MACIVER ASSOCIATES Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Murdo O’Connor HEBRIDEAN HYGIENE LTD 3 Mill Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Janette O’Connor HEBRIDEAN WATER COOLERS LTD Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Neil Mackay NEIL MACKAY & CO, BUILDING CONTRCATORS Rigs Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Fiona & Leslie Trotter TWEEDS WITH STYLE The Old School, Drinnishader, Isle of Harris Alan Anderson LOCH DUART LTD Sheilavaig, South Uist Donald Macleod DONALD MACLEOD MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT 7 James Street, Stornoway Isle of Lewis James Maclennan J MACLENNAN BUILDERS 8 Smith Avenue, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Mary Maclennan GREENACRES GUEST HOUSE 8, Smith Avenue, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Mark Tayburn HIGHLAND METAL RECYCLING Bennadrove Road, Isle of Lewis Mark Tayburn RED RIVER DISTILLERY Carnish, Uig, Isle of Lewis Iain Marvin I MARVIN, PLUMBING & HEATING Clinton’s Yard, Rigs Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis James Smith OISEVAL GALLERY Brue, Isle of Lewis Ken Kennedy SHIANT VIEW COTTAGE Lochs, Isle of Lewis .