A DUMFRIES & Galloway fine foods entrepreneur is among six finalists in the running for the 2010 ‘Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award’.
Allan Elliot, the 25 year-old founder of Dalbeattie Fine Foods in Dalbeattie was shortlisted from 18 winners representing regions throughout Scotland and will now go through to the finals and compete for the coveted national title at an award ceremony in Glasgow’s City Chambers on Tuesday 16th November 2010.
If he wins, in addition to being crowned PSYBT ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’, he will also receive a £2,000 cash prize to further develop the business.
Dalbeattie Fine Foods was established in 2004 when Allan Elliot left his home in Ireland and bought a butchers shop in Dalbeattie.
His business quickly took off and he soon gained a reputation for his winning products.
Recent awards include Scottish Haggis Championship winner 2007, Scottish Steak Pie Championships winner 2007, Scottish Black Pudding Championships winner 2008 and Young Butcher of the year 2008.
Dalbeattie Fine Foods has featured on numerous food and cooking programmes and Mr Elliot has also developed valuable links with top restaurateurs in London. He recently secured a food and marketing grant from the Scottish Government and is considering expanding the business this year with a refurbishment of the shop and the installation of a manufacturing unit.
Congratulating the six finalists, PSYBT chief executive, Mark Strudwick, said: “Our finalists have exemplified determination, will to succeed and the ability to turn an idea into a viable business and in the current economic climate their achievements deserve extra recognition.”
The five other finalists are Gregor Mackintosh (23) founder of Mackintosh of Glendaveny in Aberdeenshire. He harvests his own rapeseed crop to produce an Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Oil which is sold to farm shops, delicatessens, butchers, and major supermarkets throughout Scotland.
Greg Clarkson (27) and Allan Whitson (31) founders of XL Tec Recruitment in Cumbernauld who specialise in recruitment for the oil and gas sector and have recently opened an office in India.
Hayleigh Linton (26) and Christopher Craig (29), joint founders of Bank Street Auto Clinic in Irvine, who after only one year of trading have tripled their revenues and now employ three mechanics.
Raphael Metayer (31) and Carina Neubert Favero (23), founders of the St Andrews Golf Experience. The pair organise bespoke golfing packages for overseas clients and have welcomed over 500 visitors to Fife and the surrounding area since they started in 2008.
Kirsten Dunnett (24) who has won numerous enterprise and retail awards and is the founder of Missy La La’s in Dundee, a boutique which stocks clothing brands sourced from London, as well as stylish bags and accessories.
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For further information contact, PSYBT Regional Manager, Angela Booth on tel. 01387 261 537 or Margaret Gibson/Emma Fitzpatrick at PSYBT head office on Tel no. 0141 248 4999. Visit the PSYBT website at www.psybt.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Contact: Allan Elliot, Dalbeattie Fine Foods, www.dalbeattiefinefoods.co.uk,
sales@dalbeattiefinefoods.co.uk, 01556 610349, 07876330066.
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