Shetland Tall Ships Ltd have secured the support of a further six local businesses – electrical shop George Robertson, architects Arch Henderson, printers Studio and Art Machine, Shetland Broadband, and Bolts Car Hire and petrol station.
Many of the companies are supporting the Tall Ships Races’ visit to Lerwick, taking place between 26-29 July, in the form of in-kind support.
Shetland Tall Ships project manager Emma Miller said such support both freed up resources for other purposes and allowed the team to benefit from companies’ expertise.
“The provision of goods and services on an in-kind basis is extremely valuable to the event and to us as a planning team,” she said.
George Robertson’s will supply washing machines and tumble driers to create on-site laundries for an anticipated 1,300 crew members to do their washing while in port.
Arch Henderson has been working with event organisers for several months preparing and updating event site plans, which are a vital part of the planning process.
Studio and Art Machine have teamed up to provide signage for the event site and other areas around town, and will install some of these items on an in-kind basis.
Shetland Broadband is also assisting the event by providing additional bandwidth and site wifi services, ensuring communication systems and traders’ card payment systems will be robust and secure.
Bolts Car Hire and petrol station is supplying vehicles and fuel to transport crew members, event staff and visiting artists and performers during the four-day event.
“It means we have access to extra resources and often specialist skills which enhances our small team and makes the whole event very much a community effort,” Emma added. “We are very grateful to all the businesses who are supporting the event with cash or in-kind contributions.”