The following case studies give examples of the types of projects the Community Enterprise Loan Fund is able to support. They are based on loans offered by Highland Opportunity Ltd before April 2003. These cases would now be considered under the Community Enterprise Loan Fund.

The woods surrounding Grantown-on-Spey form an important part of the character of the town. When the woods were put on the market a local group was formed to purchase and manage the woods for the benefit of the local community. A large amount of grant funding was obtained to support the funds raised by the community. A small funding gap remained and Highland Opportunity Ltd was able to offer a loan to fill this (a last minute donation allowed the trust to dispense with the loan). The purchase was successfully completed and Anagach Woods Trust now manages the woods.

The loan repayments were to be met by income from car parking charges and controlled felling of timber as a course of regular management of the woods.

The youth café is a registered charity; its award-winning project provides a wide range of activities for young people in Tain. The premises were rented initially, the landlord offered to sell the property to the group. Grant funding for a large part of the cost was obtained. This was supplemented by use of own funds and local fund raising. To avoid the complications of bank security Highland Opportunity Ltd was prepared to offer a £10,000 loan. (A further grant was obtained and the loan offer was not taken up.)

The loan repayments would have been less than the rent previously paid to the landlord.

The members own the golf club. They were planning to build an office extension to the clubhouse to improve the administration and marketing of the club. A grant was obtained from MBSE and the club’s own funds made up the largest part of the project finance. This was supplemented by a £10,000 loan from Highland Opportunity Ltd. This loan avoided the need to grant security for a bank loan.

The loan will be repaid from the golf club’s normal trading activities.

The following projects have supported by organisations with similar aims and objectives to Highland Opportunity Ltd’s Community Enterprise Loan Fund. They give examples of how loan finance is used to help community enterprises develop effectively.

£62,000 loan to help erect and fit out a portacabin for use as an out of school child care facility. Project now has 10 staff and looks after up to 57 children daily.

£10,000 loan to upgrade pier facilities, the association aims are to preserve the interests of the fishing community on the island. They are responsible for the historic pier built in 1815.

£31,000 loan to enable a community group to take over the butcher’s shop on the retiral of the owner, this prevented the closure of the only butcher’s shop on the island.

£15,000 loan to bridge receipt of grant monies due from a charitable trust.

£50,000 loan to gap fund development of empty British Rail houses as affordable housing for local residents.

£20,000 loan to provide working capital to gap fund receipt of grants, the loan enabled the purchase of "floating classroom" to further the work of the trust.

£20,000 loan to assist with the fitting out of new premises, these allow the project to expand and offer better services.

£47,000 loan to purchase a "Road Show" vehicle, this allowed the project to reach a wider audience. The vehicle offered a mobile office and basic living accommodation for overnight stays.

£20,000 loan to cover seasonal cashflow dips, the project has a seasonal income pattern as performances take place in the summer months.

£90,000 loan to supplement grants to purchase premises to provide a permanent base in a better location

£15,000 loan to enable move to better premises, the new premises offered new opportunities to generate income. The loan allowed the quicker development of the project.