issue 4 - march 2012
www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk
Football Club Nets Music Icon A focus on new business outside of the main football season has hit the right note at Falkirk Football Club, which has recently announced that music legend Sir Elton John is set to entertain thousands of fans at the Falkirk Stadium on 10th June. The signing is a major coup for the club and for Falkirk and reinforces its value as a central location for events. It is the result of a partnership the club created last year with event organisers Marshall Arts, which has organised a number of high profile concerts in other stadiums across Scotland.
Andy explained how the concert came about: “Falkirk FC is a community club and we’ve always recognised that it should be used as a facility for wider community involvement. The board took the decision to find out how we could do more to serve the community through events, particularly during the summer as this would also help us to boost finances out of season too. A management team of professional volunteers was set up to look into holding community events that would tick all the right boxes.
Elton John is set to entertain thousands at Falkirk Stadium on 10th June
“I contacted Marshall Arts as I knew they had already organised concerts at similar venues. The company came to inspect the stadium and very quickly decided it was a suitable venue to hold a concert and offered us the chance to host Elton John. We were amazed that we were able to secure such a popular act so quickly and jumped at the chance.”
The Club hopes that the Elton John concert is the start of a number of events that will support the community and boost its finances. Andy added: “For the moment we’re taking steps to work hard with our partners and organisations like the emergency services and Falkirk Council, who have all been incredibly helpful and enthusiastic, to make sure this event goes smoothly. Following that we’ll be looking
According to the Club, tickets are selling well. Andy said: “We are delighted with sales so far. Those with an ‘FK’ postcode were able to book tickets before they went on general release and most of our hospitality packages were sold as a result.”
at other opportunities that are a good fit for the football club and the community as we certainly don’t want this to be a one-off event.”
Issue 4 • March 2012
The event will give the club additional income and is set to bring tourists from across the country and provide a boost to the local economy overall. Andy Thomson, a director of Falkirk Football Club who secured the deal, said “I would hope that there will be a positive impact for many local businesses. The event takes place on a Sunday in early June so we would hope that concert-goers will decide to make a day of it by visiting local attractions like the Falkirk Wheel and going into the town centre for a meal and drinks.”
Business and Community consulted on Denny Town Centre New artist impressions showing how Denny town centre will look soon were unveiled last month as part of the pre planning application consultation on the redevelopment of the town centre with the Denny community. Falkirk Council’s regeneration plans show the town centre masterplan and detailed plans of the first phase of development featuring a new library, shop units, town square and car park, with construction work commencing as soon as planning permission and all outstanding private acquisitions have been acquired. Demolition work is continuing on the site with another 1960’s block coming down commencing February and is expected to be completed by early Spring. With valued community input during February, the masterplan and detailed planning applications are currently being finalised ready to be submitted in April. Cllr Craig Martin, Leader of Falkirk Council said: ‘The feedback from the community has been very positive to date and the vast majority of those who have taken part in the consultation have reacted with enthusiasm to our plans. ‘We acknowledge it hasn’t been easy to progress to this stage however following our intervention and with the support of the community in shaping their town centre, work is progressing well and we are on track to deliver a modern and attractive town centre for residents and retailers alike. ‘We remain optimistic that Denny can be transformed in the coming months and years and look forward to seeing the local economy boosted by our efforts.’
Falkirk bids for Townscape Heritage Initiative funding
Issue 4 • March 2012
Falkirk Council Development Services, in partnership with the Falkirk BID and the Falkirk Community Trust, submitted a stage 1 Townscape Heritage Initiative application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in November 2011. If successful, the funds will be used to support the building fabric, public realm and shop front improvements within a specific core area of Falkirk town centre, helping to promote and protect Falkirk’s rich town centre history. The project would bring building repair benefits to the businesses in Falkirk, similar to the scheme recently delivered in Bo’ness. Opportunities for training and employment will be provided as part of the works carried out. There are further stages in the application process and it is envisaged an award will be made in April 2013 if the bid is successful.
Malcolm Allan Named A Top Scottish Brand Business is booming for Tamfourhill based family butchers Malcolm Allan, which is celebrating its rise up the ranks in a recent report of successful Scottish brands. The company has been placed in the top 10 in an exclusive list of the best 50 Scottish brands in the take-home grocery market produced for retail publication, Scottish Grocer. Malcolm Allan has leapt forward seventeen places since the last annual report, demonstrating that major investments in facilities in recent years have proved fruitful. The company’s manufacturing base comprises 25,000 square feet of modern factory space over four sites to take in offices, a bakery, meat products factory, a licensed cutting plant and CAP (Controlled Atmosphere Packaging) facility. Created by Kantar Worldpanel, the report is collated by looking at produce and brands that are made and/or based in Scotland and those which may also be made elsewhere but have a strong Scottish heritage. It takes into account the value of products bought for and used in the home as well as account sales figures, consumer diaries and comments. Established as a traditional retail family butcher by Malcolm Allan in 1954, the business is now run by the founder’s sons, Gordon and James. In the last few years the brothers have built on trade with major multiple retailers, selling very traditional Scottish products under the Braveheart label.
in the headlines Good call from HEROtsc Larbert-based HEROtsc has reported year end figures showing an increase in turnover from £47m to £63m. Now the UK’s fourth biggest contact centre company, they have set up a new centre in Warrington and announced plans to open another in Derby. Callcentreclinic.com, 06/01/12
Falkirk is Scotland's top Amec wins £10m house price performer Grangemouth revamp in 2011 BP have selected AMEC to deliver a £10m New research by the Bank of Scotland has revealed that Falkirk had the biggest rise in house prices in Scotland and the second biggest in the UK during 2011. The average selling price for houses in Falkirk was 12% higher than 2010. 4-traders.com, 31/12/11
contract for their Kinneil Enhanced Gas Separation project in Grangemouth. This will extend their crude oil stabilisation terminal, enabling them to process unstabilised crude oil. It is thought the project will create up to 120 jobs in construction in the local area. Construction Enquirer, 16/01/12
New waste plant is the way ahead Avondale Environmental have unveiled a new £20m waste treatment facility next to its landfill site in Polmont. It aims to divert 90% of waste from the landfill site by 2015. Some materials will be sold on for re-use whilst others will be used to create power at other plants. It is thought the state of the art new centre will create up to 70 new jobs.
Falkirk Looking Forward Falkirk is an area that is certainly not standing still in the current economic climate. The future for its local economy shows real signs of growth, boosted by an ongoing commitment to regeneration. Investment in the area has continued strongly during 2011; with increased funding for projects locally, and a number of initiatives that are of national importance.
Boutique in running for fashion award
Investment Now, January 2012 edition
Falkirk Herald, 20/01/12
New Falkirk Offices for BP Exploration
Work to start on multi million motorway interchange for Larbert
Freeofficesearch.co.uk, 21/12/11
Bus firm boss Robertson praised for driving growth Colin Robertson, the Chief Executive of Falkirk bus manufacturers Alexander Dennis, picked up a top award at the Entrepreneurial Exchange's annual awards in Glasgow. Since taking up his position in 2007, he has been credited with driving the company’s rapid growth and was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year award in recognition of this. The Herald, 02/12/11
Boost for Denny foundry Specialised Castings of Denny has received financial backing from ethical lender, DSL Business Finance, enabling it to secure its existing 26 jobs and recruit 4 young people. Falkirk Herald, 05/12/11
A £1.7m contract has been awarded to RJ McLeod to start work on a new slip roads scheme for the M876 at Glenbervie. The overall project will cost £2.8m and is expected to improve access to the M80 and M9 by upgrading the junction between the A9 and the M876 to a four-way interchange. TransportScotland, 17/01/12
Asda plans to create 5000 new jobs in £500m expansion Asda has announced plans to create around 5000 jobs this year in a £500 million expansion scheme, which includes the replacement of its Grangemouth depot as well as three new stores in Scotland. The Herald, 24/01/12
Issue 4 • March 2012
In one of the largest recent letting deals in the area, BP Exploration signed for 36,600 sq ft of office space at Telereal Trillium’s Antonine House on Callendar Business Park in Falkirk. The deal was secured by property consultancy Gerald Eve LLP.
Falkirk fashion boutique Sisters has been nominated for the top 100 inspirational independent boutiques in an industry vote by Draper Magazine. Owner Lauren Ferguson also owns a second boutique, Fergie.
Falkirk Herald, 03/02/12
Pupils from Bo’ness Public Primary School at the launch of the 2012 Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema.
Happy 100th Birthday Hippodrome! Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema will be 100 years old on Sunday 11 March and everyone is welcome to the centenary celebrations being planned throughout 2012 around the beautifully restored Hippodrome in Bo’ness. Falkirk Community Trust has secured funding from Falkirk Council, Creative Scotland, Regional Screen Scotland and Bo’ness Townscape Heritage Initiative to support Hippodrome 100: a year of special screenings and events inspired by the Hippodrome and its place in the local area and in the nation’s cinema-going heritage. The second Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema (being held on 1618 March), the development of a public art project, public workshops and screenings in unusual places, and a new exhibition touring the Falkirk Council area are just some of the highlights planned for the Hippodrome 100 programme of events.
Issue 4 • March 2012
To mark the start of the birthday, the spirit of 1912 will be summoned with a free live variety show (featuring films originally screened in 1912) being held at the Hippodrome on the afternoon of Sunday 11 March 2012. There will also be a special evening screening of a film linked to a momentous event in 1912 and voted for by the public. Local schools, community groups and businesses are being invited to take part in the celebrations opening up the cinema to both new and regular audiences from across Scotland and helping to develop the venue as a destination for tourism, business and culture. Councillor Adrian Mahoney, Convener of Leisure, Tourism and Community Committee at Falkirk Council said:
"The Hippodrome has been a great success since it re-launched in 2009 after a £2 million restoration. This wonderful little building offers all the glamour of an old-fashioned movie theatre, with all the comfort (and technology) of a 21st century cinema. "It's amazing to think that a building conceived 100 years ago, at the dawn of movie making, is still fit for purpose today. In fact, for some of our patrons - myself included - it's their favourite cinema. "To celebrate the 100th anniversary, Falkirk Community Trust with the support of Falkirk Council and their partners are planning a packed programme of celebrations to mark this special milestone in the Hippodrome's story. "We hope local people - and those from further afield - will enjoy a series of special events and screenings. And we hope that film fans will continue to come to the Hippodrome for many years to come. "Here's to the next century." Tickets for Sunday 11 March and the Festival of Silent Cinema can be booked by telephone on 01324 506850, in person at the Steeple or Hippodrome box offices or online at www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/ hippodrome100. To register for regular updates about the Hippodrome 100 events to be confirmed throughout the centenary year, visit www. falkirkcommunitytrust.org/hippodrome100 and follow us on Twitter @ FalkirkCultural.
talkback Alastair Mitchell, Falkirk Delivers Q. Best piece of business advice you ever received? A. At the beginning of my career, I’ll never forget being in a meeting with the House of Fraser’s marketing director who saw me fumbling in my briefcase, with my face turning bright red with embarrassment – he gave me a wonderful piece of advice – “Never attend a business meeting without a pen!” Q. What makes your blood boil? A. When someone promises to get back to me regarding something, and never does. Q. In one sentence, what piece of advice could you offer to a new business? A. Right at the get go, make sure you know your product or service better than your competitors – make sure you provide your customers with such a high level of service that they talk about you to their friends or colleagues. Q. Careful plans or big risks? A. I reckon that you need to plan carefully to avoid the pitfalls, but at the same time I try not to be boring and unadventurous. Q. In a perfect world… A. Less stress, and being more content.
Alastair had already been the Town Centre Manager in the Falkirk area for many years when he instigated the introduction of a Business Improvement District to Falkirk. A Business Improvement District (BID) is a precisely defined geographical area of a town, city or commercial district, where businesses have voted to invest collectively in local improvements in addition to those delivered by statutory authorities over an agreed period of time. The Falkirk BID delivered an innovative range of projects and services for three years since 2008. In 2011 the Falkirk BID held the first and to date only successful BID renewal ballot in Scotland. Full details on Falkirk Delivers can be found at www.falkirkdelivers. com
Q. Favourite place? A. My parents bought a semi-derelict cottage in Glenelg about 200 miles northwest of here in 1976. I have been visiting Glenelg for over 35 years, and love it every time I go. My wife and I visit as often as we can - its home from home. Q. With hindsight… A. I try not to look over my shoulder at what might have happened. I didn’t attend university, but started to work straight out of school at 17. I missed that further education, character building and fun experience. Has it held me back in my career – not really. Q. Favourite city? A. Not one but perhaps three so far… Paris is the prettiest city I have visited, Rome is definitely the grandest, and New York is simply breathtaking. Q. Favourite book? A. I’m not sure if I actually have a favourite book. Recently it was historical novels, like Conn Iggulden’s epics on Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great, or pretty well anything by Bernard Cornwell. Q. Hobbies? A. In the season, my wife and I love our garden, I love going to the cottage in Glenelg, reading, I adore music of pretty-well most types (I’ve even been re-learning the fiddle recently).
Issue 4 • March 2012
Alastair Mitchell, the manager of Falkirk Delivers – the Falkirk town centre Business Improvement District is our featured interview in this edition.
Falkirk Business Panel Update Event Investing for Growth Friday 9th March, Falkirk Town Hall 9.15am to 11am. Registration, with tea, coffee and breakfast rolls, will commence at 8.30am. Free to attend but pre-registration required – visit www.registerforevent. co.uk/update2012 or for more information call 0845 60 66 826.
Falkirk Business Exhibition 2012 Friday 15th June, Falkirk Town Hall For more information phone 0845 60 66 826, email robin@starkeventsuk.com or visit www.falkirkbusinessexhibition.co.uk
John Rendall, CEO for HSBC Scotland, visiting the new Falkirk branch
hsbc opens new £1.2 million branch in falkirk Monday 23rd January saw the official opening of HSBC’s new state-of-the-art Falkirk branch on the town’s High Street. Artist’s impression of the Helix site
The opening marks the first time HSBC has had a retail presence in Falkirk, with an investment of £1.2 million and the creation of 14 new banking roles in the town. The new branch will help cement HSBC’s footprint in the central belt, following the recent opening of its Stirling branch in August 2011.
The Helix site offers outstanding business opportunities across a wide range of leisure, catering and retail options.
HSBC are the second bank to be attracted to Falkirk in recent months, closely following the opening of the Airdrie Savings Bank on the High Street.
The Helix will transform under-used land between Falkirk and Grangemouth into a thriving urban greenspace covering some 300 hectares and is due to open in April 2013.
John Rendall, CEO for HSBC in Scotland said “We have invested heavily in creating a branch in Falkirk which boasts hi-tech banking facilities to ensure customers have seamless access to their personal and business accounts, as well as benefiting from exceptional levels of customer service.
The project would like to hear from local businesses or potential entrepreneurs keen to become involved in the development of tourism offers, products or services to enhance the Helix customer experience.
“Today’s opening is an important milestone in our expansion programme. We’re delighted with the look and feel of the branch and very much look forward to establishing HSBC in Falkirk.” Issue 4 • March 2012
Helix Seeks Expressions Of Interest
An expressions of interest form is available for download at the Helix website: www.thehelix.co.uk/nurturing-enterprise/business-opportunities/ Supporting information, including full contact details for the Helix, can be found in the online information pack. The Helix will acknowledge receipt of each expression of interest and,
The new branch is part of a £9m investment programme to extend HSBC’s branch network in Scotland in 2012 and will complement HSBC’s existing branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Stirling and Perth. John Rendall, CEO is due to speak at the forthcoming Falkirk Business Panel Update event on Friday 9th March. See top of the page for further details.
following consideration by the project team, will follow up as appropriate. The Helix would also like to hear from local businesses and landowners keen to develop Helix-related business opportunities with respect to sustainable developments and community enterprises. Interested parties can either email helixbusiness@falkirk.gov.uk or call 01324 590715.
economic outlook In this edition, the Economic Outlook column looks at retailing – a major employer - as well as providing an update on recent economic statistics.
Retailing in the Falkirk area
Falkirk has around 1500 shops ranging in size from small corner shops providing a vital service to their local communities to large superstores owned by some of the biggest and best known UK chains.
The Economic Situation Growth forecasts continue to be gloomy. The latest statement from the Office for Budgetary Responsibility suggested that the UK economy had lost momentum since summer 2011 and, as a result, they have revised down their growth forecast for 2012 from 1.2% to 0.7%. The Office for National Statistics’ preliminary estimate of GDP showed a fall in the 4th quarter of 2012 driven by weakness in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
Falkirk’s Town Centre has always punched above its weight and in CACI’s 2010 ranking of Scottish retail centres, Falkirk ranked 7th, well ahead of many much larger towns (Falkirk ranks 20th in Scotland by population size). Following a successful initial three year period, Business Improvement District status has been confirmed for a further five years.
Both the Consumer Prices Index and the Retail Price Index fell in December 2011 and these are expected to fall further in the next few months as last year’s increase in VAT falls out of the calculations. A reduction in the rate of inflation should help consumers.
The Falkirk area remains popular with major retailers. New supermarkets have been opened or are under construction and many of the major high street chains are represented in Falkirk Town Centre and in the District centres.
Locally, figures from the Scottish Government show that both the number of enterprises and the total turnover have held up well during the recession although total employment fell slightly between 2010 and 2011.
Over the past ten years, the Council’s Town Centres Strategy has focussed on the regeneration of the District Centres. As part of the planning strategy to decentralise food shopping out to district and local centres, new stores have been opened in Stenhousemuir, Grangemouth and Redding and another will open this spring in Camelon.
Unemployment in the second half of 2011, as measured by the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance, was lower than in the first half of the year, falling to just over 4,300 in October and November.
Town centre regeneration projects have been completed in Stenhousemuir and Bo’ness and are planned for Denny and Grangemouth. The Council’s new Local Development Plan through its Main Issues Report has been consulting on “What should be the priorities for the development of Falkirk Town Centre and the network of smaller centres, and is there a requirement for new retail facilities?” This has provided an opportunity for anyone interested to contribute to the final content of the Plan and to the future development of retailing in the area. Retailing is a major employer in the Falkirk area and the Council is striving to attract continued investment to maintain the position of existing centres as shopping destinations.
The local economy
Data from the 2011 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings shows there was a small fall in the median weekly pay of full time workers for those working in Falkirk, from £499.60 in 2010 to £488.20 in 2011, a reduction of 2.3%. A small reduction was also seen in the median income of those living in the area but across Scotland there was a small increase in median wages. For further information on the economy in the Falkirk Council area please visit the following links: Falkirk Local Development Plan: www.falkirk.gov.uk/localdevplan Falkirk as a location: www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk/research The Falkirk Council Research and Information web pages: www.falkirk.gov.uk/statistics
Issue 4 • March 2012
Retailing is one of the main sources of employment in the Falkirk area and makes a big contribution to the success of the local economy. Almost 6,900 people were employed in retailing in Falkirk in 2010 (the last year for which figures are available). This represents 12.6% of all employment in the Council area and a higher percentage than in the main cities.
Arnotdale House, Dollar Park, Falkirk
Doll
ar P ark Arn Hou otdale se
Falkirk Town Centre
Leisure/Office Opportunity The House
The Location
More information:
• Grade B listed property
• D ollar Park is 5 minutes from Falkirk town centre. The property is accessed from the A803 (Camelon Road).
Contact Jennifer Anton Falkirk Council Property Services 01324 590975 jennifer.anton@falkirk.gov.uk
• I nternal size approx 4,000 sq ft/380 sq m • A vailable for long lease, rent negotiable • R ateable value currently £14,500 • P otential parking space for up to 18 cars • L arge, detached Victorian two storey ashlar mansion • B uilt in 1832 and remodelled in the 1950s • P reviously owned by Robert Barr, of Barr’s soft drinks, the family company who created Irn Bru, and by Robert Dollar, the Falkirk born American timber and shipping magnate who then bequeathed the house and park to the town of Falkirk.
or visit www.falkirk.gov.uk/property
The Opportunity • A variety of uses will be considered subject to planning permission. • C onsiderable work has been carried out on the property to protect and repair the building.
Closing date for submissions: Thursday 31 May 2012.