Mayor pours oil on Virgin troubles

City of Busselton mayor Ian Stubbs has thrown his support behind small Wilyabrup olive oil producer Vasse Virgin, as the ongoing stoush with Richard Branson's airline empire continues.

Cr Stubbs told the Times he was reading Mr Branson's autobiography Losing My Virgin when he found out about the trademark battle between the two companies and he said he was inspired to write to the billionaire entrepreneur.

In the letter, Cr Stubbs said Mr Branson had some disagreements with larger organisations at the beginning of his career and wrote while the entrepreneur had won the battles, he was sure he could have done without them.

Cr Stubbs wrote he couldn't help but see the similarities between the current battles and those which Mr Branson also went through and urged Mr Branson to take time to consider the issue and reflect on his earlier days in business.

Vasse Virgin managing director Edwina Scherini said the group had been overwhelmed by thousands of other letters from supporters.

Mrs Scherini said she was also bemused by the initial opposition, which had resulted in a significant legal battle. "Recently, we have been in negotiations with Virgin and are in the midst of finalising an outcome with them," she said.

"We are hoping to achieve a positive outcome in the near future. We will update all of our supporters as soon as we have more news."

Vasse Virgin is one of the region's "leading tourism products", according to Margaret River-Busselton Tourism Association chief executive Pip Close, who said the group had been trading under the Vasse Virgin name for more than five years.

"We don't believe there is any confusion locally, or among visitors, between Vasse Virgin and Virgin Enterprises Limited, and we're happy to get behind the cause," she said.

"In addition to letters of support, we circulated a survey to our members and stakeholders to encourage them to get behind the cause too."

Cr Stubbs said he received a standard response from the letter.

He said he didn't feel any responsibility to act for Vasse Virgin, but simply happened to be reading Mr Branson's autobiography while the local media was reporting on the Vasse Virgin naming issue and said he could see some double standards in relation to dealing with opposition.