Love Ayrshire

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Culzean Castle

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CONTENTS Page 4: Welcome to Ayrshire Page 6: Ayrshire assets Page 8: Business in Ayrshire Page 10: Why locate in Ayrshire?

Page 14: Ayrshire tourism Page 18: Ayrshire renewables Page 20: Manufacturing and engineering Page 22: Marine and coastal Page 24: Love Ayrshire? Live Ayrshire!

Page 26: Contact us

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Page 12: Food and drink

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WELCOME L o v e

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tretching along the beautiful Clyde coastline into the south west of Scotland and inland to fertile rolling hills, Ayrshire’s location makes it an ideal place to do business, work, live and play.

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business is never a problem. Our beautiful landscape, with marinas, golf courses, hills, castles, restaurants and attractions, along with quality, affordable housing, make it easy to attract additional professionals to Ayrshire.

Our excellent transport links, with motorways, an international airport, rail and ferry terminals, make business logistics and future growth simple. We’re already home to a huge number of diverse businesses and industries, with considerable scope for expansion.

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Our skilled, flexible and resilient workforce and our network of training and educational establishments mean that finding the right local employees for your

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Dunure Castle

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ur assets make Ayrshire an ideal place in which to live, work and base your business:

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• high-quality and affordable housing in town and rural locations

• outstanding coastal and inland environment

• excellent schooling, college, university and vocational education

• excellent accessibility by road, rail, sea and air page | six

• industrial heritage with modern and traditional businesses • a highly skilled, motivated and flexible workforce within easy reach

• cultural and built heritage including Robert Burns heritage trail, Culzean Castle, Kilwinning Abbey, country houses, country parks, Dark Sky Observatory, protected wildlife habitats, music and arts festivals

• over 220,000 people of working age live in the area • first-class business premises in premium locations available with support packages

Troon Beach

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ASSETS page | seven

Lochranza, Isle of Arran

Global Market, Kilmarnock

Prestwick Airport

Photo courtesy of Ayrshire Post

Castlepark, Irvine

University of the West of Scotland, Ayr

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BUSINESS yrshire’s dynamic business environment has fostered the development of an impressive range of both traditional and modern enterprises, from small, family run businesses to internationally renowned major employers. page |eight

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While we are already succeeding in many ways, there is always capacity for increased business activity within Ayrshire - we want YOU to choose Ayrshire as the right location for your enterprise.

Aeronautical engineering, fine food and drink, life sciences, hospitality, tourism, engineering, information technology, pharmaceuticals, financial services, textiles, agriculture, and construction companies all have their bases here. Entrepreneurial spirit is high, with established and new businesses supporting the local economy. As a result, we have a vibrant retail market with a healthy mix of well known stores balanced with strong independent niche retailers.

Our major strength in Ayrshire lies in our partnership approach to encouraging business. Our three local authorities, North, South and East Ayrshire Councils, work closely with the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ayrshire Business Forum and Scottish Enterprise to achieve a shared vision of prosperity and success in business throughout Ayrshire.

Working together as the Ayrshire Economic Partnership, we aim to “focus on issues which will provide a positive and lasting economic benefit for Ayrshire”.

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Employment Trainee, Craigie Inn

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Employment Trainee, Armour Construction

Lochgreen Hotel, Troon

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Goodrich, Prestwick

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GlaxoSmithKline, Irvine

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Troon Harbour and Marina

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n Ayrshire, five key business sectors demonstrate the greatest potential for future growth:

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Our shared ambitions will deliver real economic growth, social progress and ultimately improved prosperity and quality of life for all.

• food and drink • tourism • renewables • manufacturing and engineering • marine and coastal The Ayrshire Economic Partnership has strategic action plans for each of these priority areas to make certain that Ayrshire can maximise its future potential. page | eleven

Our commitment to working with public and private sector industry representatives, stakeholders and academics ensures that our plans reflect local needs and aspirations while providing a welcoming and helpful environment for inward investors and their employees.

Mahle, Kilmarnock

We have earmarked opportunities and sites for business innovation and expansion and we work hard to ensure the right packages are put in place to encourage and sustain investment.

Fairlie Bay

Dunlop Cheese

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FOOD yrshire is world famous for many of its traditional food products – Grant’s Whisky, Ayrshire potatoes, Arran and Dunlop cheese and dairy products from our distinctive brown and white Ayrshire cows.

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But we don’t rest on our laurels. We have a modern and dynamic food and drink sector which utilises 21st century technology to produce high quality local fare.

Outstanding local produce including dairy ice cream, smoked salmon, game, beef , lamb, cheese and liqueurs finds its way to some of the finest tables in the land through our farmers’ markets, farm shops, retailers, wholesalers and some of the best eating establishments in Scotland.

As a destination for food lovers, Ayrshire increasingly delights those who appreciate the difference our west coast climate and rich countryside make to farm stock and crop rearing and ultimately, dairy and meat produce. Local niche products - such as “Taste of Arran” foodstuffs; “White and Wild” dairy products and Ayrshire potatoes have established strong brand recognition and new opportunities are emerging as a result.

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Supermarket giant Morrisons has opened its first educational working farm in Cumnock, as part of the Prince Charles’s Dumfries House Estate and Knockroon developments, producing own label products demonstrating the confidence this national supermarket chain places in the quality of Ayrshire agriculture.

Entrepreneurial chefs have played a large role in enhancing national and international appreciation of the quality of Ayrshire produce. Bill Costley’s unique chain of hotels and eateries; the Buzzworks network of superb local restaurants; Fencebay Smokehouse; MacCallum’s Oyster Bar; Braehead Cook School, and the Michelin rated Braidwoods are among the many quality establishments which have raised standards and expectations around the country.

Our steadily expanding food and drinks sector already generates millions of pounds a year in Ayrshire with thousands of people employed in the industry and its ancilliary services. We can support your food business from foundation to fruition.

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Woodland Farm Shop, Girvan

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Morrisons Farm, Dumfries House, Cumnock

Arran Brewery

Ayrshire dairy cattle

Hendrick’s Gin, William Grant & Sons, Girvan

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Braehead Cook School, Kilmarnock

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ay r s h i r e ith an outstanding selection of tourist attractions and activities on offer, the Ayrshire and Arran tourism market is currently worth in excess of ÂŁ342m per annum. Challenging targets set for the future will see further growth in this sector for years to come.

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Outdoor Pursuits Outdoor enthusiasts can take their pick from a vast array of pursuits including golf, sailing, kayaking, watersports, hillwalking, road cycling, mountain biking, horseriding, angling and birdwatching.

Seasoned walkers will enjoy the challenges presented by our long distance and riverside walks including the 100-mile long Ayrshire Coastal Path, and the 44-mile long River Ayr Way. Our islands too are popular walking destinations, with traditional climbing and the Arran Coastal Way on the Isle of Arran and the Cumbrae Sensory Trail on the Isle of Cumbrae.

As the home of golf, Scotland has a rich variety of courses.

Ayrshire is proud to boast some of the very best in the world, including the exclusive championship links at Royal Troon, Turnberry and Old Prestwick.

Sunset over Turnberry Lighthouse & Isle of Arran

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tourism Heritage Ayrshire is steeped in national heritage and is home to many treasures of Scottish historical significance.

No matter where you are in Ayrshire, there’s bound to be a country park, stately home or castle nearby.

Discover some of the finest examples of Scottish architecture at the imposing Brodick Castle and its country park on the Isle of Arran; medieval Dean Castle and country park in Kilmarnock; stunning Culzean Castle near Maidens, with rooms designed by Robert Adams; and the intriguing Dumfries House, near Cumnock, which houses some of the finest Chippendale furniture in the country.

Battle of Largs Monument, Largs

Attractions Enjoy and explore our many country parks including Kelburn Castle and country park, Clyde Muirshiel regional park, Eglinton country park in the north and the extensive Galloway Forest in the south.

Burns Cottage, Alloway

Dean Castle, Kilmarnock

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In Alloway, historians and lovers of Scottish literature can discover the humble roots of Robert Burns, where the National Trust for Scotland has established the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

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Dumfries House, Cumnock

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Millport, Isle of Cumbrae

A little further down the coast is the birthplace of Robert the Bruce at the ruined Turnberry Castle and a string of ancient keeps is dotted along the entire Ayrshire coastline from Ballantrae to Skelmorlie. At Crossraguel Abbey, with its mysterious Pictish carvings, a secret tunnel leads to the neighbouring castle at Baltersan.

The island of Cumbrae , with the Victorian town of Millport and the tiny “Cathedral of the Isles” is the ideal location for a fun family day out and a popular destination for cyclists.

For a longer, more relaxing stay, there’s the larger Isle of Arran, renowned for Arran Aromatics toiletries, Arran Malt Whisky and Taste of Arran foodstuffs.

The Saltcoats Heritage Centre has a range of historical archives to explore whilst the hugely exciting and interactive Vikingar experience in Largs brings Viking times alive!

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For those with historical family connections in Ayrshire, the Burns Monument Centre in Kilmarnock offers an extensive genealogy archive, with assistance on hand to help trace that family tree.

Islands

Marymass Folk Festival, Irvine

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Viking Festival, Largs

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Affectionately referred to as “Scotland in Miniature”, Arran is populated by beaches, golf courses, castles, historical and prehistoric sites and of course Goatfell, the highest mountain in southern Scotland.

Festivals

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway

Hillwalking, Isle of Arran

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Ayrshire is famous for hosting many events and festivals of both national and international acclaim. Rural towns Darvel and Girvan both host hugely popular annual music festivals; the Burns an’ a’ that Festival celebrates the life and works of Robert Burns and the Largs Viking Festival brings Viking times alive. Irvine is the venue for the ancient Marymass Festival which features the only Clydesdale Horse race in the world today.

Traditional Highland Games remain popular events and annual gatherings in Brodick, Cumnock and Ardrossan are no exception. International sporting events such as the Scottish Grand National and Ayr Gold Cup at Ayr Racecourse and the Open Golf Championships at Turnberry and Royal Troon continue to draw crowds from far and wide.

Turnberry Hotel

Accommodation Ayrshire offers quality accommodation to suit any style of holiday and any budget. Visitors can choose from campsites, hostels, self catering, B&Bs, country lodges and a range of national hotels. For something a bit out of the ordinary, we have a selection of small boutique country hotels and guesthouses and, of course, the stunning five star Turnberry Resort.

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Burns Monument Centre, Kilmarnock

Dick Institute, Kilmarnock

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yrshire’s coastal location and countryside offer endless scope for renewable technology development.

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Already home to wind turbine, biodiesel and other renewable technology companies and with successful windfarms such as Whitelee and Hadyard Hill making a considerable contribution to Scotland’s energy production, Ayrshire’s climate, long summer daylight hours and west coast location provide further potential for the development of wave, tidal, solar and biofuel technology.

We are harnessing all of our existing expertise in a range of areas including aerospace, manufacturing and engineering to realise the commercial opportunities within the renewable energy supply chain.

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Whitelee Wind Farm, East Ayrshire

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Hunterston, with its natural deep water port, has been identified as a renewables site with outstanding infrastructure, whilst the port at Ayr routinely handles wind turbines.

The length of our coastline and our well connected ports provide considerable offshore development opportunities, while our infrastructure and expertise offer a sound base for repair and maintenance support facilities.

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With our educational establishments producing new generations of graduates in environmental science, engineering and sustainablility and our economic partners accessing government funding for energy efficient enterprise, we are poised to lead the way in making renewables work for everyone’s future.

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he west of Scotland has a proud tradition of producing world-class engineers. In Ayrshire, as heavy engineering has declined, a new generation of companies has taken over, taking advantage of the local, highly-skilled, engineering talent to produce goods and services which are sought after worldwide.

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Prestwick is a worldwide centre recognised for repairs, maintenance and overhaul of aircraft. The Aerospace Park at Glasgow Prestwick Airport is home to the largest cluster of aerospace businesses in Scotland, including Spirit Aero Systems, BAE systems and Goodrich. This specialist, internationally renowned, enclave of modern factory units produces all types of parts and servicing for the aeronautical industry.

In Kilmarnock, smaller, family-run firms have built international reputations providing niche products.

Staircases and building fitments, manufactured in glass and metal by Annandale Design, grace the finest homes in the Middle East and shops such as Harrods, London.

Innovative Utilities Systems services contracts throughout the UK, refurbishing and laying new water mains.

and paper mill at Irvine to McCallums bagpipes, exporting exquisite highland and lowland pipes all over the world. Manufacturing is an area in which Ayrshire entrepreneurs excel.

Our transport links mean bringing in raw materials is straightforward. With rail freight, great road and sea connections, numerous ports and two international airports on our doorstep, exporting goods all over the world from Ayrshire is a commonplace activity.

Our schools, colleges and universities work closely with industry to train workforces in all aspects of business and manufacturing management including aeronautical engineering courses which attract students from across the UK. This imaginative and flexible approach, guided by our Skills Development and Employability Services, has enabled Ayrshire companies to win business from all over the globe.

Diversity is the key to Ayrshire’s success in manufacturing, from state-of-the-art chemical factories and the pulp

Irvine Pulp and Paper Mill

Annandale Design

McCallums Bagpipes, Kilmarnock

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& ENGINEERING Aerospace Park, Prestwick

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ith a coastline of over 100 miles, stretching from Ballantrae in the south to Skelmorlie in the north, Ayrshire has a rich seafaring tradition.

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The coast provides vital ferry port links to Ireland and the islands of Arran and Cumbrae, while the deep sea port at Hunterston and commercial harbours at Ayr, Troon, Ardrossan and Girvan provide berths for marine freight ships of varying sizes.

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The port of Ayr is renowned for its flexible working practices and ability to handle a diverse range of cargoes from general and project loads to dry bulk and forestry products.

Troon Harbour, one of the most sheltered in the west of Scotland, is a major ferry port with daily freight and fast ferry services to Ireland. Like Ayr, it handles forestry products and has a timber reception and processing facility. Its fish dock is enhanced by an ice factory and a 122 metre dry dock can accommodate vessels up to 17 metres beam.

Girvan is home to Noble’s boatyard, a traditional family run firm, and the only commercial fishing boat builders on the west coast of Scotland. They hold the only licence to maintain and repair the RNLI fleet in Scotland.

MARINE Sailing off Largs Marina

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Ardrossan Harbour combines the Arran Ferry terminal with a thriving cargo port and marina. Hunterston deep water port has the capacity and infrastructure to handle cargo ships, with considerable scope for further expansion.

The Isle of Cumbrae, only a ten-minute ferry crossing from Largs, has the Scottish National Watersports Centre which trains sailors and runs courses in kayaking, canoeing and dinghy sailing. Largs is home to the Scottish Sailing Institute and offers a venue for world-class sailing events.

A combination of sheltered coastline and deep water harbours provides Ayrshire with the potential to increase existing commercial cargo traffic and visits by cruise ships, attracted by Ayrshire’s rich tourism offering.

Noble’s Boatyard, Girvan

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Lamlash Bay on the Isle of Arran has Scotland’s only Marine Conservation Project. The seabed ecology is protected with a ‘no take’ zone which enables stocks and varieties of sea life to thrive.

Leisure marinas and a thriving network of ancilliary businesses at Ardrossan, Fairlie, Troon and Largs are proof of the popularity of sailing in the Firth of Clyde.

Ardrossan Marina

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Ayr Harbour

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Love Ayrshire?

Live Ayrshire!

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f you share our vision and want an excellent place to work and live, then we want to hear from you. You’ll find superb surroundings, with:

• planning advice - expert guidance and advice for commercial/business planning applications and building regulations

• great infrastructure

Scottish Enterprise provides targeted support to businesses operating within nationally agreed priority sectors.

• superb connections • business training and educational support • an enthusiastic, flexible workforce We offer comprehensive tailored support to make your move to Ayrshire smooth and successful.

Business Gateway is a pan-Ayrshire service providing information free of charge, offering advice, training and support to those looking to establish a new business or hoping to grow an existing enterprise.

East, North and South Ayrshire Councils all provide business development services including: page | twenty f ive

• business advice • Ayrshire Supplier Development Programme designed to help businesses secure public sector contracts • West of Scotland Loan Fund - targeted funding administered through each Council • grant funding - for training, skills development and marketing • premises sourcing - business and industrial units for sale/rent with packaged aid

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I want to find out more.

Who should I contact?

Glen Afton, East Ayrshire

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THE AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

Our Commitment “The Ayrshire Economic Partnership operates as a dynamic and unifying driving force for the regeneration of Ayrshire. We are convinced that the best way forward is to identify a small number of realistic and achievable objectives and then, by concerted action, strive to achieve these objectives with the full and enthusiastic support of all our partners�.

South Ayrshire Council Economic Development Burns House Ayr KA7 1UT Telephone: 01292 616100

East Ayrshire Council Planning and Economic Development The Johnnie Walker Bond, 15 Strand Street Kilmarnock KA1 1HU Telephone 01563 576767

Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Suite 1005, Glasgow Prestwick International Airport Prestwick KA9 2PL Telephone: 01292 678666

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North Ayrshire Council Economic Development Service Perceton House Irvine KA11 2DE Telephone 01294 225165 Scottish Enterprise Atrium Court 50 Waterloo Street Glasgow G2 6HQ Telephone: 0141 248 2700

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Contacts:

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