A FORMER banker from Wales has bought self-catering accommodation and a cafe on the Isle of Mull, backed by a funding package from Barclays.

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Laura Pitchford has realised her long-held ambition of running her own business with the purchase of Argyll House, which comprises four holiday apartments, and The Coffee Pot 18-seat cafe at Salen on Mull. Ms Pitchford, whose passion for baking was highlighted by Barclays, has been a regular visitor to Mull for more than 20 years.

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She said: “I’m really excited about the future, looking forward to embracing island life and expanding and developing an already-established business. Thanks to the support from Barclays, family and friends, my dream has now been made possible.”

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Ms Pitchford added: "Running my own business is something I’ve wanted to do for some time and when the opportunity arose to purchase Argyll House and the Coffee Pot on the Isle of Mull it was the ideal chance."