issue 2 - september 2011
www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk
‘Portdownie’ unveiled as name for Falkirk’s major canal side regeneration project
The Portdownie site adjoins the Falkirk Wheel.
‘We have big aspirations to see this area transformed into a vibrant community with new jobs, properties and businesses created in an attractive setting.
The partnership behind the 58 acre mixed use canal side development next to The Falkirk Wheel, which has recently received planning permission, has unveiled its new name – ‘Portdownie’. Falkirk Council and British Waterways Scotland collaborated as partners to take forward the masterplan application for this exciting development and have chosen the Portdownie brand to reflect the local historic name by which the canal basin is known. It was well received by the local community during the consultation phase. To coincide with the announcement of the Portdownie name, a new website www.portdownie.com is about to go live to provide more information, background and to show the opportunities for the expansive canal side site to potential developers and the local community. The Portdownie development is part of the continuing wider process to revitalise the Forth & Clyde canal corridor, which will include iconic regeneration projects such as the Lottery £43m funded Helix project and the Rosebank Distillery. Cllr Adrian Mahoney, Convener of Economic Strategy and Development said:
‘We are still at an early stage of the project but we have already allocated £100,000 to facilitate taking this project forward and are currently working how this project can be delivered.’ Steve Dunlop, Director, British Waterways Scotland said: “Portdownie is a hugely exciting development for Falkirk and it will really maximise the value and potential of The Falkirk Wheel and the Forth & Clyde Canal. Once complete, it will offer the full choice of homes, as well as some excellent waterside opportunities for commercial enterprises. “Most importantly, whilst Portdownie will occupy a unique setting close to The Falkirk Wheel and by the revitalised canal, it is not a development in isolation. It also benefits from being part of a wider, integrated and long-term placemaking initiative we are progressing along the greater canal corridor between Grangemouth and The Falkirk Wheel in partnership with Falkirk Council.” The plan for Portdownie, which lies to the west of Falkirk town centre, also supports My Future’s In Falkirk, the ten year economic development initiative for the Falkirk area.
Issue 2 • September 2011
Artist’s impression of the development, showing the existing Union Inn public house.
‘The canal offers great development opportunities for this natural resource as well as providing a fabulous leisure attraction with the marina and open spaces that it will offer. ‘As part of our brief to regenerate our area under the My Future’s In Falkirk strategy, Portdownie will see the creation of jobs and boosted economic prospects locally when delivered.
Falkirk Business Improvement District wins second term Local businesses in Falkirk town centre voted overwhelmingly in support of continuing the Business Improvement District (BID) with all the additional projects, services and funding that it brings to the town centre. Unusually the Falkirk BID had a first term lasting only three years instead of the more usual five years, so was the first BID in Scotland to go through the renewal process. The Falkirk BID incorporates the core retail area of the town, including both shopping centres, the bus station and the old Tesco site, a total of 540 businesses. Following voting in April and May it has now won a term of five years and will raise an estimated total levy income of £1,077,000 towards targeted projects and services to improve the town centre. A new business plan, developed in consultation with businesses and customers, outlines the BID’s plans to continue to deliver many highly successful projects. In recognition of the BID’s success, two Scottish Ministers, Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism and Aileen Campbell, Minister for Local Government and Planning, visited Falkirk in July. Corrie Cuthbertson, Chair of the Falkirk BID said: “I would like to thank the businesses in Falkirk town centre who voted for the continuation
of the BID and to reassure those that chose not to vote in favour of the BID that we will do our utmost to deliver projects and services over the coming five years that will benefit the whole of the town centre. Ian Davison Porter, Project Director, Business Improvement Districts Scotland concluded: “This is the first of the original BIDs to seek re election and the businesses of Falkirk town centre have obviously recognised the value of the Falkirk BID by returning an overwhelming yes vote. The coming years will be very exciting in Falkirk with the new BID delivering more and better projects and services for its businesses.”
Important Milestone Reached for Denny town centre The multi-million pound regeneration of Denny town centre reached an important milestone in August.
Issue 2 • September 2011
Underlying Falkirk Council’s commitment to the regeneration of the town centre, works are commencing on the demolition of a major section of the 1960s shopping centre. These works will remove over a third of the buildings while enabling businesses to continue to trade from the centre. Meanwhile the Council continues to finalise plans for delivery of a regenerated town centre. Central Demolition of Denny have been appointed to commence the demolition works at the Church Walk blocks from August. The partial demolition of block ‘A’ (opposite the town’s Post Office) will be carried out first and will take approximately 12 weeks to complete. Part of the block will be retained to enable two traders to continue operating from their premises. Work on removing block ‘D’ (opposite St Alexander’s Roman Catholic Church) will then start in January 2012 and will also last for 12 weeks.
A town centre regeneration office staffed by Falkirk Council Economic Development Officers will be open at 97 Church Walk each Tuesday morning for Denny residents and business to obtain further information about the regeneration activity planned for the town centre. Cllr Craig Martin, Leader of Falkirk Council said: ‘It has been a long wait for the town but we are pleased that the local community has persevered and can now see the start of the real work to transform the centre into a modern and attractive location. I’m additionally pleased that the contract has been successfully secured by a local company helping to support jobs for people in the Falkirk area. ‘There will be some disruption to traffic in and around the Duke Street and Davies Row areas and but we believe that this temporary arrangement will be worth it in the longer term. We have been liaising with the local schools to ensure safe routes to schools are maintained.’
in the headlines Avondale Environmental are to open a £17m recycling centre just off J4 of the M9 near Grangemouth, Falkirk. The centre will process about 200,000 tones of waste each year. BBC, 19/05/11
Faster trains are on the way
First orders for microwave pioneer
A billion pound upgrade of the rail network in central Scotland has been announced. The main Glasgow to Edinburgh line will be electrified, resulting in shorter journey times and more trains will stop at Larbert. Work is scheduled for 2013 to 2016. Falkirk Herald, 23/06/11
An engineering company from Falkirk has won its first two orders for a new device. Advanced Microwave Technologies (AMT) created machines which pasteurise fruit juice yet keep the original colour and nutrients. The company has also demonstrated the product’s use in cooking meats, where the equipment significantly reduces the cost of cooking large quantities. The Scotsman, 03/07/11
Airdrie Savings Bank set to open new branch in Falkirk The Airdrie Savings Bank, the only remaining independent bank in the UK, has moved beyond its Lanarkshire base for the first time with its announcement it is opening a new branch on Falkirk High Street. The branch, opening in September, will create five new jobs in the town. STV, 27/05/11
The Queen of Shops passes on her tips to Falkirk Retail guru Mary Portas has launched a series of masterclasses. Thanks to funding from Falkirk Council and Skills Development Scotland, retailers are able to sign up for the training at a heavily discounted rate. Sessions will be held throughout the Falkirk area in August and September with the final masterclass on September 14th. Falkirk Herald, 31/07/11
1500 new homes to be built in Central Scotland Councillors have approved a project to build 1500 homes, a new primary school, a hotel and a business park, which will create 2,200 jobs, at Whitecross near Linlithgow. STV, 23/05/11
The Queen opens new Larbert Hospital
Bus builders boss triumphs Colin Robertson, Chief Executive of Alexander Dennis, was named the Ernst & Young (E&Y) Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year. He and 3 others will go on to represent Scotland at the UK Finals in London on October 3. Aberdeen Press & Journal, 24/06/11
Falkirk Helix project footpaths opened The £43m Helix project, designed to transform a 300 hectare site near Falkirk into a major visitor attraction, has unveiled 12km of new and upgraded paths. The first phase of the project is due to be completed in 2013. BBC, 28/06/11
Syngenta takes efficiency trophy Chemical manufacturing company Syngenta, based in Grangemouth, won the Chemical Industry Manufacturing and Resource Efficiency Award in a ceremony at the University of Birmingham. Syngenta had implemented a programme of improvements to increase production volume and reduce costs, managing to exceed the target set. Chemical Sciences Scotland website, 30/06/11
The new Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert has been officially opened by the Queen. Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh toured the new building, which boasts the first robotic system in a UK hospital, used to deliver linen and food and as an automated pharmacy. BBC, 07/07/11
Success for Pebbles A Bo’ness shop, Pebbles Jewellers, has been declared one of the UK’s Inspiring Independent Jewellery Retailers by the trade publication ‘The Retail Jeweller’. Pebbles are one of only five Scottish firms to achieve this recognition, based on a public and industry vote. Bo’ness Journal, 07/08/11
Join our My Future’s in Falkirk group on Linkedin to network with other business owners, business support staff and entrepreneurs across the Falkirk area. Visit the home page of www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk and follow the link to join.
Issue 2 • September 2011
Green light for £17m Falkirk recycling centre
Exciting and innovative bid could bring massive benefits to area
Hippodrome Wins Top Scottish Award
Falkirk Council and its partners, including Scottish Enterprise, Chemical Sciences Scotland and Falkirk Business Panel have been working on an exciting and innovative bid for Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) which could bring massive benefits to the area. The TIF scheme enables local authorities to kick-start developments in their area by borrowing against the predicted growth in future business rates that the new development will bring. The TIF model has been successfully used for a long time in the US and other countries but is new to the UK. Falkirk Council has applied to the Scottish Government’s Scottish Futures Trust to become one of six pilot areas for the scheme. If successful, the TIF pilot scheme will carry forward the ambitions contained in the area’s My Future’s in Falkirk initiative. The Falkirk area plays a vital role in the national economy, generating up to £3 billion annually and the TIF bid would help to ensure the continued development of the Falkirk-Grangemouth area, where the TIF project partners are working to create a new Zone for investment. The submission anticipates over £50m of capital investment which could generate up to £350m of private sector investment and create several thousand jobs. In order to realise this opportunity, investment in the local infrastructure is proposed, including improvements to the M9 corridor, site access and preparatory works and flood defences, which could be financed through TIF. The bid was submitted in August and its outcome is awaited.
Central FM hits the golden heights
Issue 2 • September 2011
L-R: Joe Kilday, Leighanne Coyle, John Quinn, Carole McConnell and John Slater with the Sony award.
Local radio station Central FM, covering Falkirk, Stirling and the Forth Valley, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Sony Radio Award for UK Local Radio Station of the Year 2011 at a celebrity packed ceremony in the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.
Considered to be ‘the Oscars of radio’, the evening was hosted by Chris Evans and the award was presented by singer James Morrison. The judges stated: “Central FM has a real energy about it. From presentation talent through story treatments and commercial activity, it is clear this is a vibrant station providing a comprehensive service which really identifies with its local community.” Launched in June 1990 Central FM has received many accolades and awards over the years, but this is the first Sony Gold. It comes as the station celebrated its 21st Birthday on 4 June and follows their Radio Academy Scotland Station of the Year award in 2010.
The Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness picked up the community benefit prize at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) Scotland Awards for 2011. Head of the judging panel, Laura Johnstone, said: “The Hippodrome restoration is a perfect example of how bringing a building back into use can really benefit the local community.” The cinema was reopened in 2009 following restoration as part of the Bo’ness Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), which has made a significant change to the town centre environment. The Hippodrome was also commended in the building conservation category, at a champagne reception and lunch in Edinburgh. Hippodrome representatives from Falkirk Council, Linlithgow architects Pollock Hammond, and Hippodrome owners, the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, collected a trophy and framed certificate at the awards event. To achieve the award, the Hippodrome highlighted the 40,000 people it had attracted in the first two years since it re-opened, its regular engagement with audiences, including special community events; and the increased footfall it had generated in Bo’ness town centre.
talkback Curt Hopkins, Redeem Curt Hopkins is Chief Executive Officer of Redeem, an international leader in the recovery, refurbishment and recycling of consumer electronic devices, an organisation committed to reducing eWaste globally. Curt led the management buy-in team of Redeem, which is based in Falkirk, in January 2011. Redeem extends the lifespan of electronics and provides fully functional used alternatives to consumers around the world. Since 1999, through recycling mobile phones, toner cartridges and other devices, Redeem has generated over £6m for charities and good causes as well as paid out over £15m to customers. Prior to Redeem, Curt was the UK Managing Director of Vodafone Business Services where he was responsible for spearheading Vodafone’s entry into mobile unified communications and business services having led the acquisition of Central Telecom where he served as Chairman.
What makes your blood boil? Inauthentic office politics. What makes you happy and contented? Initiative and leadership from my employees. In one sentence, what piece of advice could you offer to a new business? Business is never transacted without sales; so focus on getting sales productive.
Last time you shouted at the TV? When Alan Sugar on the Apprentice said that engineers never make good businessmen. I think the show is a waste of time! Best deal? Buying Redeem Ltd Best recipe for winding down? Two weeks holiday without email. In a perfect world… My golf handicap would be less than 10 (I’m now over 20!) Favourite place? Schloss Mittersill (a castle in Austria)
Careful plans or big risks? Take the risk but thoroughly plan for it.
With hindsight… I would have learned more languages when I was young.
Best under pressure or well chilled? Well chilled.
Favourite city? Vancouver
What has been the most difficult hurdle to overcome in business and how did you do it? I helped start a telecoms operator in the former Soviet Union and we had horrible shareholder issues between my US and local partners. I learned to be grounded and to understand that there are more important things in life than business.
Favourite book? “The God Who is There” by Francis Schaeffer. I’m a bit of a closet philosopher and this book has really influenced my thinking.
Which famous person do you most admire and why? William Wilberforce for his committed stand against slavery and his faith.
Hobbies? Running and golf!
Issue 2 • September 2011
Best piece of business advice you ever received? “If you want to hunt with the big dogs, you have to get off the porch.” This humorous advice from the southern US speaks to the need to be assertive, action oriented and positive in business.
falkirk business exhibition
Held on Friday 17th June at Falkirk Town Hall, the 2011 Falkirk Business Exhibition saw a 15% increase in visitor numbers and with over 50 exhibitors taking part, it made the event the biggest and best one yet. Feedback from exhibitors, some of whom have taken part before, indicated there was a real buzz about the place, a good atmosphere that helped make the event even better than last year’s. Networking was by far the most popular reason for exhibiting, with 91% stating this compared to 64% for sales opportunities. Visitors too valued the opportunity to network, with one commenting it was worthwhile coming along because they had made good contacts for the future. Both exhibitors and visitors overwhelmingly scored the event as excellent or good both in terms of organisation and overall impression, but some good suggestions were made for next year’s event so with these taken on board, they’ll be every reason to come back in 2012!
diary dates Issue 2 • September 2011
Falkirk Business Panel Annual Conference Friday 23 September, 10am – 1pm, MacDonald Inchyra Grange Hotel This year’s theme is Inspiring and Growing Business and a range of exciting speakers will cover leadership, mentoring, marketing, funding and growing your business including: Gerry Godley, Managing Director, Godley Corporate - Executive Coaching Dr Jim Hamill, Director, Energise 2-0 Curt Hopkins, Chief Executive, Redeem Ltd Colin Robertson, Chief Executive, Alexander Dennis Bonnybridge-based BBC Radio Scotland Newsdrive presenter Bill Whiteford, will host the conference. For more details and to register your place, please visit www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk/events
economic outlook In this edition, the economic outlook column looks at recently published statistics, including Scottish GDP and inflation, and reports on employment and income trends in the Falkirk area.
National Economic Outlook Base Rate The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee kept the base interest rate at 0.5% in July 2011. This is the lowest level since 1694 when the Bank was created. However, in July 2011, the European Central Bank increased their base rate to 1.50% from 1.25% which it had been at since April 2009. Inflation The UK Consumer Prices Index inflation (CPI) was down in June to 4.2% compared to 4.5% in May 2011. This rate is above the UK Government’s official +2% target. The downward effect to annual inflation came from recreation and culture, particularly games, toys and hobbies. The Retail Prices Index (RPI) was 5.0%, down from 5.2% in May 2011.
What’s happening in Falkirk? Income The average weekly pay for full time workers in Falkirk for 2010 was £478.00, this is an increase from the 2009 figure of £462.50. Falkirk is below the Scottish average for weekly pay, where it was £486.90 for 2010 and £471.20 in 2009. Both Scotland and Falkirk saw a 3% increase in weekly pay over the two years. Employment Employment in Falkirk has been decreasing since 2008 as a result of the recession. In 2010 there were 71,700 Falkirk residents in work, a decrease from 74,900 residents in work in 2008, however, the 2010 figure is around the same as it was in 2005 when 71,500 residents were in employment. The percentage of Falkirk working age residents in employment fell from 76.5% in 2008 to 71.7% in 2010. There was also a decline in the Scottish rate, which fell from 73.5% to 71%. Falkirk has remained above the Scottish rate since 2005. Source: Annual Population Survey, NOMIS
GDP The latest Scottish figures for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shows GDP grew by 0.1% in the 1st quarter of 2011 and grew by 1.3% over the year. In comparison UK GDP grew by 0.5% in the 1st quarter in 2011 and grew by 2.0% over the year. Within the sectors during the 1st quarter of 2011 output in Scotland in the Service sector grew by 0.3%, the Production sector also grew by 0.9%, however, the Construction sector fell by 3.6%. The UK experienced a growth in the Service sector by 0.9%, however, in the Production sector output fell by 0.1% and the Construction sector fell by 3.4%. Source: Scottish Government.
Unemployment Jobseekers Allowance benefit is one of the most up-to-date data sets that can be used to provide a fairly immediate measure of what is happening in the local economy. It shows that for Falkirk the rate of unemployment has fallen since the beginning of 2011 from 4.8% in January to 4.6% in June
% of working age claiming JSA
Jan 2011
Feb 2011
Mar 2011
Apr 2011
May 2011
Jun 2011
4.8%
4.8%
4.8%
4.7%
4.6%
4.6%
With 5.62% taken away from the Scottish GDP in the last 3 years, this has created a challenge for the Scottish economy. The Fraser of Allander Institute recently warned that Scotland would take longer to recover from the last recession than the UK did from the Great Depression in the 1930s. Fraser of Allander have revised their forecast growth in Scotland from a projected 1% to 0.8% for 2011. Other economists have predicted more optimistic forecasts. Ernst and Young have predicted a growth of 2.2% and Mackay Consultants 1.6%.
Tourism Like most sectors, tourism was affected by the recession. However, recent estimates for 2010 indicate that tourism in the Falkirk area has recovered slightly from a fall the previous year. In 2010, the number of visitors is estimated to be 1% up on 2009 and visitor expenditure is also 1% higher at £76.23 million. There are many difficulties in measuring tourism accurately at local level, but Falkirk appears to compare favourably with Scotland as a whole, which had a 2% fall in visitors in 2010, with expenditure down by 0.8%. Another positive indicator is that, in CACI’s 2011 ranking of retail centres, Falkirk town centre has retained 7th place in Scotland, only beaten by Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and the shopping centres at Braehead and Silverburn.
Issue 2 • September 2011
Source: NOMIS.
Looking for Business Property in the Falkirk Area? The Business Property Register is an ideal point of reference for companies or individuals looking for property in which to start a new business venture, relocate or expand an existing business. Visit www.falkirk.gov.uk /property or call Jennifer Anton at Falkirk Council on 01324 590975.