Merkinch centre’s Ness Soaps company is wiping up
Project has become so successful bigger premises are needed
Published:
AN INVERNESS business that gives work to disadvantaged people has become so successful it needs new and bigger premises.
Staff and volunteers yesterday celebrated the progress of Ness Soaps at the Merkinch Community Centre when they were joined by guests, including representatives from the Scottish Government, local businesses, councillors and community members. It is the third year of growth for the social enterprise company famous for its Loch Ness monster-shaped soaps.
Councillor Peter Corbett introduced the event before treating guests to the premier of a new film about Ness Soaps, made by budding young Inverness director Rory Baldwin.
The organisation, which offers voluntary placements for people living in the Merkinch area, is on target to reach sales of £25,000 this year.
Project manager Lucy Morrison said: “Since we started Ness Soaps from a small workshop in the Corbett Centre three years ago, the organisation has been a huge success, both in terms of sales of our products and the impact we have on people’s lives. By offering people the opportunity to work in the production, packaging and sales of these products, we give them confidence and skills to use in everyday life. We also give much-needed respite to carers. We now need to move to a bigger workshop to allow us to increase production and provide opportunities for more volunteers.
“One of the main objectives of our celebration was to highlight our need for more space, as well as to encourage local businesses, whether offices or hotels, to use our products.”
Ness Soap will be selling stocking fillers from a stall in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness, from November 29 to December 22.
