We have now loaned another £3,000,000 to clients based in west central Scotland since the end of 2003. We have negotiated another £2M of finance in order that we can keep lending at the pace of our clients. Thanks to everyone who has helped us reach this milestone.
CLIENT STORIES
New mountain sport picks up speed after DSL loan
A new extreme sport craze could be set to sweep Scotland thanks to innovative loan provider DSL.
The first mountainboard centre in south and central Scotland has opened its doors at the Newmilns Snow and Sport Complex.
Boarders from all over the UK gathered at the complex on 4 June 2005 to road test the new purpose-built centre's curved banks, rails, berms, drop offs and 14 ft high table tops.
Originating in California, mountainboarding has been gaining popularity thanks to its similarity to surfing and snowboarding. Mountainboards look like oversized skateboards fitted with large off road wheels, which are capable of handling a variety of rough terrains.
The Newmilns mountainboard centre will be adjacent to the existing ski slope facilities at the complex and will feature teaching areas, a freestyle area and a border cross four-man race track for more experienced boarders.
Gloucestershire-based designers Ride the Hill have constructed the international-standard course, the first the company has designed in Scotland.
The Newmilns Sports and Snow Complex is one of the busiest of its kind in the UK and it is hoped the income from the new mountainboard centre will bring the complex some much-needed summer income. It is run by a board of volunteer directors, who took over from East Ayrshire Council in November last year to save the complex from the axe.
Now, thanks to loans from DSL and West of Scotland Loan Fund, the complex has been transformed into a thriving community hub with the new mountainboard centre opening months ahead of schedule.
The funding has also enabled the complex to hire its first full-time professional staff in the shape of facility manager Steve Wright and his two assistants.
Les Brown, director of Newmilns Sports and Snow Complex, said: "The loans we received from DSL and West of Scotland Loan Fund were crucial to our expansion plans and enabled us bring in experienced full time staff such as Steve Wright.
It is our aim to teach local children and teenagers the benefits of the new centre, how to use it and hopefully to help them train the next generation of boarders."
"We have seen a crossover at similar facilities where users who start off on mountainboarding progress on to snow boarding and skiing, giving youngsters the option of all year round activities."
Les believes the success of the complex will have a knock on effect to the local community. He added: "As well as having a bank of local instructors we can call upon, we have used local builders, joiners and electricians to complete the Complex. Hopefully we will be able to generate more jobs in future."
The joint £30,000 loan from DSL and West of Scotland Loan Fund, has been match funded by East Ayrshire Council, and centre bosses hope it will become self sufficient in the near future.
Eunice Lancaster, General Manager, DSL, said: "Opening the new mountainboard centre so soon after taking charge of the complex is a great achievement for Les and the rest of the team. We are delighted to have helped with funding, as we are aware of the massive benefits to the local community.
With the ability to now offer attractions all year round, we believe this business is set to go from strength to strength."
DSL's flexible loan funding is available to organisations, including start-ups and existing businesses, that may have difficulty accessing funding from other private sources such as the bank.
Loans from DSL are usually in the £1,000 to £50,000 range, although applications over this amount are considered dependent on circumstances.
DSL is a partner company of CEiS, the largest development organisation working with the social economy in Scotland. CEiS was founded in 1978 and works with around 70 organisations each year to create or sustain jobs and to develop services.