A Highland estate, which transformed from an arable farm into a luxury tourism destination, has been named the UK Small Business of the Year at the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) annual ‘Celebrating Small Business Awards’.
Family-run tourism business Woodlands Glencoe beat over 3,100 entrants and 132 regional and national award winners to land the top accolade.
The business – which includes an estate, café (currently closed to do covid), activity centre, golf course, and 17 luxury lodges with hot tubs – scooped the top award because of its impressive growth rate and commitment to the local community. In just over ten-years, the business grew its revenue by almost 2000% (from £45,000 in 2009 to £900,000 in 2020), and the firm offers their activities free to local fundraising groups.
They now have 22 employees, up from two a decade ago, providing important opportunities in rural Scotland.
In addition to winning the overall UK Small Business of the Year Award, Woodlands Glencoe also walked away with the UK Business and Product Innovation Award.
Woodlands Glencoe’s Development Director James Young said: “At our heart, we’re a family firm that’s spent more than a decade building and diversifying our business. That’s meant a huge amount of hard work and careful planning, and it is phenomenal to see all of this hard work recognised by FSB.
“Tourism in Scotland has faced huge challenges over the last year, but we know that our business, industry and country will bounce back. By innovating and investing, we can build back the strength of our sector and our local communities.”
Andy Aird, FSB’s Scotland national chair, said: “Scotland has regularly punched above its weight when it comes to these awards – and this year is no different. It’s little wonder when you have businesses of the quality of Woodlands Glencoe coming forward. They simply encapsulate what makes local and independent firms so special.
“After a dreadful year, we’re proud to be celebrating the hundreds of thousands of smaller firms in Scotland that sustain every second private sector job north of the border. As we inch toward full re-opening, we need everyone in Scotland continue to support these special operators – whether on our doorsteps or further afield.”
FSB Highlands & Islands Area Lead Tanja Lister said: “The Highlands & Islands’ magnificent scenery, rich natural and culture heritage and top-quality activities are all world class, but to be a world class holiday destination they must be matched by world class businesses. This is exactly what we find in Woodlands Glencoe. The Young family have done a truly amazing job and they are a credit to our region.
“But there’s more to this story, for while large in area, the Highlands & Islands is home to only a tiny fraction of the UK’s businesses. So how does one explain the two amazing successes in succession, Cruise Loch Ness being named the previous FSB UK Small Business of the Year and now Woodlands Glencoe? I suspect that these back-to-back wins reflect the amazing ability of Highlands & Islands business owners to think outside the box and innovate, combined with their understanding of their markets, determination, resilience and leadership abilities. It’s people like the Youngs of Woodlands Glencoe and the MacKenzies of Cruise Loch Ness that will lead our regional economy out of the pandemic.”
Local MSP, and Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes, was among the first to offer congratulations. She said: “I’d like to offer hearty congratulations to Woodlands Glencoe for winning this prestigious, UK-wide award. This is a brilliant achievement for a business in the West Highlands.
“Coming after an impossibly difficult year, I hope this news encourages the company and many others.”
The FSB’s UK Celebrating Small Businesses Awards UK Final took place virtually today (Thursday 27 May). Hosted by renowned broadcaster, journalist, and author, Clare Balding, the ceremony featured an address from Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who applauded the grit of the UK’s small business community.
The Prime Minister told the audience: “Good luck to everyone at today’s virtual FSB awards… you are the vital, blood-pumping heart of our communities, creating jobs, supporting skills and opportunity and helping out your customers…
“Throughout this crisis, you really have gone the extra mile, doing everything you can to help people stay safe while keeping jobs and businesses going, from enabling people to work from home, providing home delivery, pivoting to online sales, installing plastic screens, and introducing one-way systems, to joining in the incredible national effort to provide the vital pieces of equipment that we needed, from face masks to hand sanitiser…
“I have every confidence that it will be small businesses helping to fuel our national recovery and turning jabs, jabs, jabs into jobs, jobs, jobs.”
FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “After a torrid 12 months, it’s been fantastic to come together and celebrate the great small businesses that are at the heart of communities right across the UK.
“As we slowly edge back towards normality, we’re urging everyone to get behind their favourite small firms – they need you now more than ever.
“It was a closely fought contest for the ultimate crown this year. The worthy winners show us what’s possible when you tirelessly adapt, invest and provide an unforgettable experience for customers. Huge congratulations to them and all of the brilliant winners and entrants.”
Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Rt. Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng MP said: “Being a small business owner is an extraordinary challenge at the best of times, but the creativity, persistence and sheer grit shown by Britain’s small businesses over the last year has been nothing short of exceptional.
“The government has stood by small businesses throughout this crisis with an unprecedented and generous package of support, and I am proud to celebrate their achievements with the FSB Awards as we look ahead to brighter days and building back better from the pandemic.”
Notes to Editors
- Read more about the business here: https://woodlands.scot
- Woodlands Activity & Experience Centre used to be called Glencoe Activities