Go back

Gairloch & District Times Printer upgrade 2026

Proposal code: THC-2026-06-143

To upgrade and modernise our printing systems, boosting the long term sustainability of our operation, delivering an improved service for the community, and improved volunteer experience.

1) What we want to do: Due to declining reliability and quality with age, parts availability, and maintenance issues, we have a need to replace the printers at the heart of our operation. This is vital to ensure continued production of our community newspaper, which is a long-established contributor to the social and business life of Wester Ross. 

2) Why is the project important for our community? Through 50 years of operation, Gairloch & District Times has played an essential role for residents, visitors, local groups and businesses – we need to protect and enhance this valuable community asset. Lower running costs and improved reliability will deliver a stronger, financially sustainable publication, with enhanced quality of product. Importantly, this will continue to provide an affordable, dependable source of local news and information across our dispersed settlements, widely regarded as a core part of our social infrastructure.

Our proposal directly supports the Area Place Plan:

• Thriving & Sustainable Communities A trusted local newspaper is a vital asset for a thriving rural community, particularly in a sparsely populated area with no other dedicated print media. We promote Gaelic language events and opportunities, contributing directly to the Plan's priority of Gaelic Language Promotion. We offer meaningful voluntary roles for residents of all backgrounds, supporting skill sharing and community capacity. Free space for life-event notices and charitable activities strengthens social connection and inclusion, and improved mental health and wellbeing.
• Strengthening & Sustaining Our Places The paper commissions and publishes locally-researched articles directly supporting the Area Plan priorities around protection of our Cultural and Natural Heritage. It promotes heritage events, conservation initiatives and local issues, reaching the widest possible audience and remaining central to community life.
• Supporting Local Business Development We actively help new local enterprises through coverage of emerging businesses, and providing accessible, affordable advertising, including reduced-cost space for non-profit and community organisations. This reflects the Plan's priorities to nurture new local enterprises and promote community-run and artisanal ventures.

3) Positive impacts: For our organisation and our community, these will be:

• Reliable production of the area’s only dedicated local newspaper
• Faster and more consistent print runs, reducing delays and disruption
• A reduction in paper waste and reprints
• A saving of 30–50 volunteer-hours per year
• A more rewarding, less frustrating experience for volunteers
• A financially sustainable future for the operation

4) Key milestones 

As a charity we determined we are able to take advantage of a government framework purchasing agreement, providing assurance that our expenditure delivers exceptional value for public money. As a result, we are able to engage the services and support of the equipment manufacturers directly.

We have had our premises and operation reviewed by the suppliers, including a site visit.

We appraised the possible system options (see attached options appraisal), and settled on a capable, cost-effective configuration, which offers a dramatic reduction in capital costs compared with third-party dealers. This includes training to undertake frontline servicing, minimising delays in minor maintenance operations. This is of particular benefit given our remote location and tight deadlines. We are confident this package will perform to a level of quality, reliability and reduced operating costs substantially better than our current facilities

As well as reduced capital costs, we have reached agreement under the purchasing framework on excellent terms for running costs (per-copy charges and consumables), allowing us to maintain a truly sustainable business, providing for self-funded replacement costs in the future.

In preparation, we are installing a comprehensive package of minor infrastructure upgrades, providing a secure and efficient environment for operation of the new equipment.

With these milestones, subject to funding, we are ready to implement the main equipment upgrade.

Community Engagement

Each issue of the paper is a true community effort with volunteers contributing to all aspects of production and delivery. A recent reader survey asked which aspects of the paper people found most valuable; From this, we know that high value is placed on local news stories & events, community news and updates, letters, and local columnists.

Quotations from locals included: “Since its change of format last year, this is the best local paper I have come across”; “I'm very lucky to live here and have such a good local newspaper“; ”A valuable local resource”.

Key suggestions were to improve the quality of the print, and to have more colour and photographs. This will be achieved with the new printers.

Business Case

Our case is for investing in a pair of production-grade printers for reliable, high-quality production of Gairloch & District Times. Our proposed configuration focuses on consistency, reduced waste, and ease of operation for volunteer staff.

Current need: production of ~600 booklets per fortnight to a tight schedule, without fail and working with volunteer operators of varied experience.

Proposed solution: installation of two Konica Minolta AccurioPress C4070 machines, configured with a vacuum paper feed, a booklet finisher, and a production controller, all with direct support of the manufacturer.

Main benefits: reduced operating costs, improved product quality, improved volunteer experience, minimised wasted materials.

Financial projections are in the uploaded appendix

Necessary Consents etc: No regulatory consents are required. We have presented our plans to the management of Gairloch Community Hall, which hosts our facilities, and have their full agreement and support. 

Quotations: Obtained

No other funding applied for

Start November 2026, end February 2027

• Community Hub
• Social & Support Services
• Arts & Heritage
• Digital Connectivity
• Leisure
• Local Events
• Visitor Infrastructure
• Energy Efficiency

• Wester Ross, Strathpeffer & Lochalsh