Invest in Perth Magazine Winter 2018/2019

WINTER 2019

INVESTIN

PERTH

INSIDE #9 PERTH’S NEW STORY OF PLACE THE TAY CITIES DEAL INVESTING IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

IN THIS ISSUE

WELCOME

WINTER 2019

PERTH IS AN AMAZING CITY. A DYNAMIC CITY. AN AMBITIOUS CITY.

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FEATURE:

The new Story of Place positions Perth as a distinctive, ambitious city

NEWS FROM THE REGION: 4-7

FAST-TRACK:

Perthshire companies making their mark

How GLD is winning at international exports

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SPOTLIGHT:

GOOD COMPANY:

Perth & Kinross is celebrating young people and creating new opportunities

JM Customs is on the road to expansion

Councillor Murray Lyle Leader of Perth & Kinross Council

FEATURE:

LIVING: The autumn and winter events attracting record visitor numbers

INVEST IN PERTH CAN HELP

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10-13

The Tay Cities Deal will deliver investment in key projects across the region

THE NUMBERS: Regional statistics for investment

Follow Invest in Perth on Twitter: www.twitter.com/investinperth Invest in Perth is published by Invest in Perth. Written and designed by Resolve. e. hello@resolvecreative.co.uk | w. resolvecreative.co.uk

THIS MAGAZINE IS PRINTED ON ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE PAPER MANUFACTURED USING 100% RECYCLED WASTE.

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Steven Stewart of Stagecoach Group on Perth’s new Story of Place

Perth City Plan has outlined £500m of investment to support the development of our local economy over the next decade – a period in which we plan for our population to grow at a faster rate than the Scottish average.

People want to live and work here because of the area’s connectivity and outstanding quality of life. It’s a story that has now been drawn together powerfully by the Perth Place Marketing Group and I was delighted to see nearly 100 local businesses and organisations attend the official launch of the Story of Place in November. Steven Stewart, who has led the group developing the campaign, tells us more opposite.

We were delighted that, the day before that event, we also welcomed representatives of the Scottish and UK governments here to Perth, to sign the Tay Cities Deal. That transformative programme will bring a further £350m to the local area over the next 10 years to help build a sustainable local economy and protect that quality of life. There really is nowhere better to invest. Perth is a city with something to offer everyone, as you’ll see in the stories in this latest issue. Come and join us – live life well!

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We offer a comprehensive investor support programme tailored to each individual business, including: • Help with identifying and accessing funding • A comprehensive search to find suitable land and property • Introductions to key contacts locally.

Invest in Perth Kirsty Easton, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5GD t: 01738 475364 e: keaston@pkc.gov.uk w: investinperth.co.uk

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A PLACE TO LIVE LIFE WELL THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY EXCITING TIME FOR THE CITY OF PERTH AND OUR WIDER REGION. WORK IS WELL UNDERWAY ON THE NEW BERTHA PARK VILLAGE, BRINGING THOUSANDS OF HIGH-QUALITY HOMES, COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY BENEFITS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, SAYS STEVEN STEWART. That’s on top of other recent private sector investors, including Porsche and Bellway Homes. And within the past few weeks, it’s also been confirmed that Perth will benefit from major government investment through the Tay Cities Deal, which will help create up to 6,000 jobs across the Tay region over the next decade or so (see page 10).

Perth is already a small city of great significance, and great ambition. It sits at the heart of Scotland, both geographically and culturally. We’re a thriving place to do business, proud of our expanding range of independents, from retailers and food producers to SMEs and creative start-ups.

Yet we are also home to major corporates: energy giant SSE; one of Aviva’s three UK centres of excellence; and the international HQ of the business I work for, transport operator Stagecoach Group.

Just as important, Perth is a city where life feels good, which is why we consistently top quality-of-life surveys. But we are so close to the many positive assets Perth has to offer that it is easy to forget what a stunning city and region we enjoy. In the past, we’ve not had one consistent and powerful story to tell about our city to sell ourselves most effectively to visitors and investors.

However, that is all changing. Thanks to the input of stakeholders across our region - both in the city itself and the communities around it - we now have a new Perth story.

Our story has been captured in a free toolkit that has been developed by the Perth Place Marketing Group, a private sector-led panel that is part of Perth City Development Board.

As chair of the Place Marketing Group, I had the pleasure of introducing our Story of Place and the toolkit at an official launch attended by scores of local businesses and organisations in November at Perth Theatre.

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The Theatre itself is now a beacon for our vibrant cultural life after its recent £16m transformation.

The response has been fantastic and that is crucial, because we need everyone to become involved in telling our story, which is outlined in detail on page 14. From Perthshire’s farms to our local restaurants, from processors to producers, retailers to holiday lets, it’s time we all talk with pride about our city – with its fantastic assets – and share that story as widely as possible.

Telling it personally, but resourced so that we can share it consistently, we can build an authentic, powerful impression in the minds of visitors, residents and investors that Perth as a place offers real value.

The story has three key themes: the strength of our independents; Perth’s physical and digital connectivity and our city’s superb quality of life. It underpins our aim to

be recognised as one of Europe’s great small cities. The toolkit includes simple messages to promote our city, along with high-quality images which showcase the best of what we have to offer. It also complements companies’ own individual marketing, enabling all businesses to be a part of the Perth story while retaining their own identity.

Perth is an asset we share, a city where we can all enjoy life, a great place to raise a family, a safe place to enjoy a great night out. Together we can create a sense of excitement around the potential for our future - not just the future of Perth itself, but the prosperity of communities across our region. Our story captures the essence of this beautiful area of Scotland and positions us as a home for investment that offers every individual a real quality of life.

I have to thank everyone who has contributed to our journey so far. It has been a collective piece of work that will bring real dividends as it rolls out.

I have one personal ask of every business and organisation in our region. Whatever your sector or expertise, whether you are a micro-business or major listed company, join us as an ambassador to help tell our story.

Perth has much to benefit from your passion and experience – and there will be real benefits to your business too.

As an ambassador, you will have access to senior networking opportunities through regular meetings, sector events and updates on new developments and opportunities, all providing a platform to raise your organisation’s profile.

Please join us in sharing our new Perth story. In Perth, we live life well. Let’s share what makes our city special, so others can too.

> INFO perthlivelifewell.co.uk

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Chamber President Ross Graham (right) and Event sponsor Allan MacGregor (left) present the overall winner John Reynolds of Castle Water with his Business of the Year trophy.

Congratulations poured in as Blairgowrie-based Castle Water was crowned Perthshire Chamber of Commerce “Business Of The Year 2018” in November. The UK’s leading independent water retailer lifted the title at a glittering Star Awards ceremony at Crieff Hydro.

Castle Water CEO John Reynolds OBE and his staff celebrated winning both the Business Growth and the Developing The Young Workforce Partnership awards before going on to claim the overall trophy.

The audience heard how Castle Water captured the judges’ vote for its “impressive and sustainable business growth, superb level of customer service and innovative strategy”.

“Castle Water shows excellence and expertise in all areas of their business,” explained Chamber President Ross Graham. “Top-notch customer service, sustained and impressive growth through innovation and a cutting-edge shining example of excellence in their field.

“We are delighted to have this brilliant business based here in Perthshire, substantially boosting the local economy and demonstrating tremendous innovation and ambition.”

Pictures by Graeme Hart. © Perthshire Picture Agency

CASTLE WATER MAKES A BIG SPLASH AT STAR AWARDS 2018

Thorntons Business Leader of the Year goes to Stephen Leckie who is pictured getting his award from Debbie Fellows.

Castle Water won its first customer in April 2014, and has since undergone impressive and sustained growth within the highly regulated business water market. Today, it supplies over 560,000 business supply points across Scotland and England.

A thrilled John Reynolds said: “Everyone at Castle Water is over the moon at this recognition of our achievements, having grown from two employees to over 370, and having cemented a leading market position in the new business water market.”

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE THIS BRILLIANT BUSINESS BASED HERE IN PERTHSHIRE, SUBSTANTIALLY BOOSTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND DEMONSTRATING TREMENDOUS INNOVATION AND AMBITION.

In other highlights of the evening, the Fairways Excellence in Business Innovation Award was won by Peel Tech, a Kinross-based business which produces an eco filtration system for potato and food processing.

ACS Aviation, Scotland’s busiest commercial flight training school and operators of Perth Airport, won the Beyond Scotland Award and Stephen Leckie, CEO of the Crieff Hydro Hotel Group, won Thorntons Business Leader of the Year.

In total, 15 new Business Stars shone at the 2018 showcase, recognising and rewarding outstanding contributions across Perthshire’s thriving business landscape – from tourism, food and drink production and independent retailing to customer service, innovation, sustainability and business growth.

Event organiser and Chamber CE Vicki Unite said, “This year has been another sparkling showcase of the best in the business with a host of impressive companies and individuals coming to the fore – Perthshire boasts some outstanding business stars.”

> I NFO www.businessstarawards.co.uk

HES GRANTS SUPPORT HISTORIC REDEVELOPMENTS Under the Community Empowerment Bill in Scotland, there has been a drive recently to make it easier for local communities to take on public sector buildings.

Where benefits to the community are identified, or there is potential for social or economic regeneration, for example through bringing empty town centre properties back into use, an Historic Environment Repair Grant can help catalyse local investment.

The Grants are provided through Historic Environment Scotland (HES), and applications are reviewed under the framework of a

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competitive process, which takes account of the wider benefits a repair or conservation project might provide.

It is therefore important that applicants can illustrate a robust ‘business model’ supporting their application, which demonstrates a viable and sustainable future for the building and any proposed business to be developed around it.

Businesses or organisations (whether public or private) with responsibility for the upkeep and repair of an historic building – including but not limited to listed properties – can apply for the Historic Environment Repair Grant.

(Private owners who have bought a property within the previous year are not a priority for grant assistance, as HES believes the purchase price should reflect the current state of repair.)

Any proposed building must be of significant architectural or historic importance, its proposed repair or conservation must be urgently needed, and applicants must be able to demonstrate the need for grant support to enable the repairs to go ahead.

> I NFO www.historicenvironment.scot /grants-and-funding

Launched in autumn 2018, Birken Tree’s natural Birchwater has been an instant hit, with the company named as a finalist in the Food & Drink sector of the 2018 Perthshire Star Business awards, in November.

Birch tree sap was used for centuries in the Highlands to gently cleanse the liver and help with kidney stones. It can help users feel refreshed, particularly over winter months when the body naturally accumulates toxins and fats.

Company owners Rob and Gabrielle Clamp have combined their knowledge of forest management and plant-based healing to launch their business idea, which is also a finalist in the Create Awards run by the Highlands and Islands Centre

for Enterprise and Innovation. They believe there is a multi-million pound international market for Birchwater, and their Perthshirebased business is harvesting birch sap from local wild birch trees. The sap is collected in the same manner as maple syrup, using small plastic taps to drain the liquid.

Rob said: “Birch has a special place in Scottish culture and has been present in Scotland since the last ice age. We are very excited to be involved in reviving the use of Birch in a productive and sustainable way.”

The company is also promoting birch leaves for natural teas.

> INFO www.birkentree.co.uk

PERTH BUSINESS NAMED SERVICE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Perth-based Balhousie Care Group, which runs 25 care homes across Scotland, was named Service Business of the Year in October at the prestigious annual Courier Business Awards.

The company won for its leading-edge elderly and specialist care, which focuses on inclusive, person-centred programmes.

These include a Participation Charter, which gives care home residents and families a say in everything from policies to recruitment, and Together We’re Great, another peoplefocused project which supports the needs of every individual within the organisation.

It is the latest in a series of awards for Balhousie Care Group, which received recognition for its leadership, innovation and leading-edge dementia strategies, as well as achieving 6-star ‘excellent’ ratings

WWW.INVESTINPERTH.CO.UK

from the Care Inspectorate – the highest ratings possible from the regulatory body.

Among Balhousie Care’s most recent accolades is a national RCNi award for leadership, for Dementia Consultant Yvonne Manson, who has headed up a host of innovative dementia initiatives.

Speaking after the Courier Business Awards, Balhousie Care’s founder and Chairman, Tony Banks said: “The whole team at Balhousie Care has been working hard on achieving excellence across the organisation, from how we approach care to our core company values. It’s great to see everyone’s passion and commitment recognised with yet another award: we’re delighted.”

> I NFO www.balhousiecare.co.uk

TASTE FOR TOURISM’S EXPANDING APPEAL

NEWS

BIRCHSAP PROVIDES INNOVATIVE DRINK

An online poll in 2015, conducted

by USA Today, voted Scotland the world’s best cinematic destination.

Tourism already accounts for around £11bn of economic activity, and is creating jobs across the country, including Perthshire.

VisitScotland now estimates that a new job is created for every additional £60,000 spent by visitors and following the recent success of ‘set-jetting’ locations associated with Outlander, the potential impact for tourism in Perth & Kinross is significant in 2019. In November 2018, the upcoming film Mary Queen of Scots, which stars Oscar-nominated actors Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, was premiered. Mary was held captive at Loch Leven Castle, in Kinross, in 1567.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES), which is now responsible for the upkeep of Loch Leven Castle, is preparing a ‘Mary Queen of Scots trail’ for the new season, which will map the adventures of Mary and inspire visitors to follow in her footsteps.

The Castle reopens in April 2019 and, with restricted access, HES advises prospective visitors to book well in advance – it can only be accessed by a short boat trip across Loch Leven from Kinross.

Tourism in Perth & Kinross generated in excess of £564m in 2016, and annual visitor numbers have grown almost 8% since 2009. More than 58% of those currently visiting the area now stay locally for at least one night and Perth & Kinross Council is working closely with other agencies to create and support new regional visitor itineraries to help visitors make the most of their time in the region.

While waiting to embark, for example, visitors to Loch Leven Castle can also celebrate another of Scotland’s current cinematic heroes. The new Netflix film Outlaw King, starring Chris Pine, was also released in November 2018. It focuses on Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland between 1306 and 1329, and the film is being celebrated with an official Outlaw King beer, brewed by Loch Leven Brewery, in Kinross.

> I NFO www.historicenvironment.scot/ visit-a-place/places/lochleven-castle www.lochleven.beer

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A QUEST TO CRAIGHEAD HOWFS WOULD MAKE BILBO PROUD

WE GET EXCELLENT REVIEWS AND MANY REFERRALS: WITH SIX PROPERTIES AVAILABLE, WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SUIT EVERYONE’S IDEA OF A RETREAT.

TRANQUILLITY, AND A SPACE TO DESTRESS, IS A PRECIOUS THING IN OUR MODERN LIVES. IN A QUEST THAT WOULD BE WORTHY OF TOLKIEN, IAN AND HEATHER KEIR OF CRAIGHEAD HOWFS, PERTHSHIRE, HAVE TAKEN THAT AS THEIR MISSION: CREATING A UNIQUE RETREAT IN PERTHSHIRE – SCOTLAND’S EQUIVALENT TO THE ROLLING HILLS OF MIDDLE EARTH. Ian set about designing and building two ‘Hobbit’ houses – The Burrow and Bagend – that can now be rented as off-grid glamping options.

Craighead Howfs has been offering a retreat to visitors since the couple began letting their traditional holiday cottage in 2009. In recent years, Ian has created and added the treehouse, the secluded ‘Wee Howf’ by the farm’s lochan, and the ‘Summer Howf’. The result has been a busy booking diary, yet visitors all leave refreshed having enjoyed total seclusion.

Each distinctive venue is set in its own private space and offers a totally individual experience. “All our ideas are inspired by years of camping that we’ve done as a family ourselves,” says Heather.

The two most recent additions to the farm were a long-term project for Ian – 16 months in total – with Ian helped only

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by his son Lewis (who runs Keir Joinery).

“Planning approval for two Hobbit homes didn’t throw the officials,” Heather adds.

“Ian went in to see them before lodging his plans, as it was all a bit different, and the Council was very responsive and supportive.” (The finished versions have been inspired by a trip to the film set of The Hobbit while on holiday in New Zealand, but that followed submission of Ian’s original plans.)

The first bookings for Craighead were made in May 2018, but demand has been high for both properties throughout the rest of the year and well into 2019.

“We get visitors from the USA, Australia and Europe, with TripAdvisor a vital marketing source. We also see a large number of visitors who come up from London – and welcome many people from across Scotland who take short breaks here.

“It’s a crowded market now, and I think holiday homes need to offer something different. We get excellent reviews and many referrals: with six properties available, we have something to suit everyone’s idea of a retreat. Our idea has always been to focus on the serenity of this place, and we target couples who want that short escape.”

Protecting that tranquillity means there are no plans for additional builds – Hobbit-inspired or otherwise. “In winter we can refresh and update the properties as necessary, although customers can go online at any time of year and book a stay from March through to November.

Throughout our season we help to boost local businesses in Dunblane and around Perthshire. It’s hard work, but we love it.”

> INFO www.craigheadhowf.co.uk

80,000 attended the award-winning light show in 2018. © Angus Forbes.

It is estimated that The Enchanted Forest contributes around £3m annually to the local economy, with more than half of visitors (55%) choosing to stay overnight in the area this year.

‘Of the Wild’ was inspired by the hidden beauty of Highland Perthshire’s wild woods and delivered a show that was full of breathtaking visuals, state-of the-art technology, interactive special effects, and a dazzling music score.

“We’re delighted [the event] has smashed yet another of its own box office records,” said Ian Sim, chairman of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which operates the event. “This is very

much an event run by the community of Highland Perthshire, and the team behind it are really exceptional, from our show producer Zoe Squair, and the creative team who devise the concept, to the brilliant operations team and the stewards who stand out in the woods night after night for five weeks. The Enchanted Forest’s success is testimony to their hard work and commitment to providing a top-quality family-friendly experience.”

The Enchanted Forest returns in 2019 and tickets are available for sale now.

The Enchanted Forest contributes around £3m annually to the local economy.

The Enchanted Forest, Perthshire’s multi award-winning sound and light show, has confirmed just over 80,000 visitors attended this year’s sold-out show, a 9% increase on the previous record-breaking year.

2018’s ‘Of the Wild’ event captured the public’s imagination around the globe, with international visitors one of the fastest growing audience segments. International visitor numbers have trebled since 2014, and with representation coming from more than 28 different countries, more than 85% cite the event as a reason for travelling to Scotland.

The growth in the profile of the event has seen it take the title for the Best Outdoor Festival at the Scottish Outdoor and Leisure Awards 2017. It also took home the trophy for Best Cultural Event at the Regional Final for Central, Fife & Tayside of the Scottish Thistle Awards in November this year, and will go onto the National Final in 2019.

NEWS

LIGHT SHOW’S ANNUAL ENCHANTMENT CONTINUES

> INFO www.enchantedforest.org.uk

PERTH COLLEGE UHI STUDENTS RETURN HIGHEST EVER SATISFACTION SCORE Perth College UHI, which is the largest campus for the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland’s newest university, this year received its highest ever rating from satisfied students in The National Student Survey 2018.

Perth College UHI achieved a student satisfaction score of 88%, and the university overall achieved an increase of 6% in satisfaction, finishing in fifth place in Scotland.

This puts it 2% above the Scottish average.

Perth College UHI has more than 7,000 students enrolled in both Further and Higher education courses, many of which take advantage of the unique environment, landscape and culture of the area. It offers post-graduate courses in a number of key areas, including aircraft engineering, an MSc in Air Transport Operations and an MBA in Aviation. It enjoys strong links with the local area’s employers, providing vocational learning and apprenticeships, as well as distance learning modules, and

WWW.INVESTINPERTH.CO.UK

is appealing to an increasing number of international students at all levels.

Dr Iain Morrison, Dean of Students at UHI, commented: “This wonderful result has been achieved through cohesive, coordinated and collective efforts by many people across the partnership. Every single member of teaching, support and admin staff and our partners in the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association can have a positive impact on a student’s experience and we work hard at making the university even better every day. To have these efforts recognised in the most important national measure of student satisfaction is testament to the high quality of hard-working colleagues we have, committed to the support and learning of our students.

Today our students have told us that the University of the Highlands and Islands is a great place to study.”

PERTH COLLEGE UHI ACHIEVED A STUDENT SATISFACTION SCORE OF

88%

> INFO www.perth.uhi.ac.uk

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CREATING AN ENTERPRISING FUTURE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN 2018, SCOTLAND’S YEAR OF YOUNG PEOPLE TURNED THE SPOTLIGHT ON ITS YOUTH, CELEBRATING THEIR TALENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS, AND CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO SHINE FOR THOSE AGED UP TO 26.

In Perth & Kinross, a year-long programme of events and activities gave local young people their opportunity. In June Perth hosted Diverse CiTay, a national festival co-produced by local young people and local partners including Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Perth & Kinross.

The event included Scotland’s first Youth Market, at which young market traders handcrafted and sold products including jewellery, vintage clothing, art and luxury chocolates.

Steven Stewart, chair of DYW Perth, said: “We were delighted to have so many young people come together to showcase their talent in our fantastic city.

“A big part of our Young Workforce initiative is supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. Events like the Youth Market offered a great opportunity to break down the myths and perceived barriers.

“Perth is the fastest growing city in Scotland, with the highest self-employment

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rate, and the city has many great independent retailers and small businesses.

Many young people have the talent and ambition to run a business, but we need to nurture their enthusiasm, encourage a wider culture of entrepreneurship and make their dreams a reality.”

Thousands of people visited the city centre on the day, which was also supported by Perth College UHI’s Sport, Health and Wellbeing Village and Perth Theatre’s youth takeover.

“The partnership between local young people and other key organisations, such as Perth & Kinross Council, Perth College UHI and Horsecross [which operates Perth Theatre and Concert Hall], made for a fantastic festival,” said Robert McCall, Member of Scotland’s Youth Parliament and co-chair of the Diverse CiTay working group.

“Perth is well-known as an excellent venue for events, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with our peers to

Perth’s population is predicted to grow at a faster rate than the Scottish average.

WWW.INVESTINPERTH.CO.UK

SPOTLIGHT

organise a major celebration for Scotland’s Year of Young People.”

Perth has the joint-highest percentage of resident graduates among Scotland’s seven cities and more than 80% of the city’s total population is economically active, with the local hospitality, leisure and tourism sector one of the region’s key employers. For that reason, DYW Perth & Kinross has worked with Springboard UK to run two events to highlight the opportunities it offers for young people when they leave school.

These events were part of the region’s £500,000 young workforce strategy focusing on key sectors.

Supported by a variety of local and national organisations, the events attracted 140 pupils studying languages at Perthshire schools. After the events, which were also supported by Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, 57% of attendees said they would now consider a career in the sector,

which saw growth in local employment of more than 3% between 2015 and 2016.

Outstanding scenery, an excellent events calendar and a host of attractions are all part of Perthshire’s draw, and they make the area a fantastic residential locality. That’s why the school-age population is growing faster here than anywhere else in Scotland, with 100 extra primary places needed annually. A new secondary school is also under construction in Perth. Its beautifully designed campus will offer a superb learning environment, as well as high-quality community facilities to the west of the city.

A recent report by the World Economic Forum predicted that for children entering primary education in 2017, more than two-thirds of the jobs available when they finish secondary education don’t currently exist! So another key initiative during 2018 – #LearnALiving – sought to help prepare Perthshire’s young people for the changing world of employment. It aimed to attract more local employers to offer work placements to local school pupils.

“Work experience is key to unlocking the door to work,” said Steven Stewart, Chair of the DYW Regional Board. “It opens up opportunities for young people to showcase their talents and build new skills. For employers, it’s also a great route to securing their talent pipeline.”

The campaign was backed by many local businesses, with over 600 companies already active supporters of the work experience programme. Derek Petterson, CEO of McLeod Glaziers and Meldrum Construction, said: “We actively promote opportunities through our apprentice programmes, and our work placements give many young people the chance to work at our sites.”

Another key link between local employers and the talent pipeline is The Centre for Enterprise at Perth College UHI. It provides high-quality support and advice to local businesses and students. Perth’s is the largest campus among the 13 that form the University of the Highlands and Islands, with more than 7,000 full- or part-time students in the city – 21% at degree level.

As well as helping local businesses to develop and grow, The Centre for Enterprise creates fantastic opportunities for students to gain industry experience prior to graduation, making it easier for local employers to attract and retain key talent. This is highly important in Perth, home to the head offices of energy giant SSE and international public transport group, Stagecoach, and in the wider area which has the largest concentration of Food & Drink companies in Scotland and nearly 500 companies in the creative industries sector.

In a recent survey for The Prince’s Trust, 61% of young people agree that having a job gives (or would give) them a sense of purpose, which impacts on their wellbeing. While internationally, the job market is challenging, latest figures show that fewer than 4% of young people in Perth & Kinross are not in education, employment or training (NEET), compared to a Scottish average of 6.4%.

THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE AND OTHER KEY ORGANISATIONS, LIKE PERTH & KINROSS COUNCIL, PERTH COLLEGE UHI AND HORSECROSS, MADE FOR A FANTASTIC FESTIVAL. Lesley Brown is the Prince’s Trust Senior Enterprise Executive supporting Perth & Kinross. Working with entrepreneurs aged 18-30, she helps to develop business plans and financial projections, and can provide funding to support market research, startup and growth opportunities. “We offer vulnerable young people one-to-one support, helping to boost their skills and confidence.”

Young would-be entrepreneurs can also get assistance from Enterprise North East Trust, which runs the annual Elevator Challenge, an ‘entrepreneurial boot camp’ targeting young people aged 16-24 who have a young business or embryonic business idea. Enterprise works closely with participants before and after the event to develop their ideas.

Beyond 2018, Perth will continue to create bold events and opportunities that empower our young people, while shining a spotlight on the positive and significant contribution they make to our growing community.

> INFO www.dywpk.co.uk

Fiona Reith, Perth & Kinross DYW e: freith@dywpk.org.uk Lesley Brown, Prince’s Trust for Scotland e: Lesley.brown@princes-trust.org.uk

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TAY CITIES DEAL DELIVERS INVESTMENT IN KEY PROJECTS THE TAY CITIES REGION HAS A DYNAMIC ECONOMIC PROFILE THAT IS VITAL TO THE STRENGTH OF SCOTLAND’S OVERALL ECONOMY – AND IT HAS JUST GOT STRONGER. With a combined population of approximately 500,000 the area represents almost one in ten of Scotland’s population. It has a strong track record in innovation and production, particularly in: tourism; food and drink; clean technologies and renewables; cultural, creative and digital industries; and financial and business services.

In November 2018, representatives of the UK and Scottish governments travelled to Perth for a milestone signing ceremony, committing up to £300m in public sector investment to the region by both governments.

In January 2019, the Scottish Government committed a further £50 million to the area.

The Cross Tay Link Road, which will link the A9 with the A93 and A94 north of Scone, will receive £40 million of the extra investment.

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This should reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in Perth, as well as opening up potential sites for housing and economic development. A further £10 million will go towards an industrial investment programme to support manufacturing businesses across the region. The Tay Cities Deal represents a transformative funding package that will support the creation of up to 6,000 new jobs over the next 10-15 years.

In total, 23 major projects across Perth & Kinross, Dundee, Fife and Angus have received backing, subject to individual business cases being approved. Under the deal, £62m is to go to the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie, to support research and innovation projects that sit under the Securing our Food Production Capability theme of the Deal’s submission document (see p.13). This reflects the sector’s

FEATURE

importance, with Perthshire alone boasting the highest concentration of food and drink businesses in Scotland, at almost 1,000.

Securing our Food Production Capability secured the highest funding for any theme under the Deal. The UK Government has also committed £5.2m to support development of a two-phase project to build the world’s first advanced plastic reprocessing facility in

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The UK and Scottish governments have committed up to £350m to the region to support the creation of up to 6,000 new jobs over the next 10-15 years.

£8.1M

TO CREATE AVIATION ACADEMY FOR SCOTLAND LED BY PERTH COLLEGE UHI WWW.INVESTINPERTH.CO.UK

THIS TAY CITIES DEAL WILL COMBINE INCREASED PROSPERITY WITH GREATER EQUITY; THE KIND THAT CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE.

the region; and £5m for on-site infrastructure at Perth West, an eco-innovation and business park (see p.13). £8.1m from the UK Government will go to the Aviation Academy for Scotland, a partnership to be led by Perth College UHI, which is globally regarded for the range of qualifications it currently offers in Aeronautical and Aircraft Engineering.

The project will invest in further specialist training and skills development for the aviation industry.

It is hoped that the investment now agreed under the Tay Cities Deal will complement action being taken by other investors, including Perth & Kinross Council’s own Perth City Plan and infrastructure investment. It aims to support the vision that will see Perth recognised as one of Europe’s great small cities, with a population of around 60,000 and the wider Perth & Kinross region home to 160,000 people by 2030.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Tay Cities Deal funding package, Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson said: “This area has huge potential for

11

growth and the Cities Deal will help us realise that potential. Developing the right skills will make the difference to people being able to access opportunities and new jobs through the deal.

That’s why the Scottish Government is committing up to £20m for a Regional Skills Development Programme, to reduce skills shortages and support people to re-skill into new career opportunities.”

Through the Tay Cities Deal, the Scottish Government will work with regional partners, national agencies and the private sector to develop a programme of investment that delivers a positive economic impact, and develops economic assets in culture, heritage and our creative industries. More than £37m is to be targeted into support for local tourism and culture, a key Employment sector within the region. There will be an integrated approach to marketing tourism across the Tay Cities Region, which boasts the V&A Dundee, opened in 2018.

It will undoubtedly also help to attract more conferences and business events to the area, as well as major events such as this year’s Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. Pitlochry Festival Theatre has secured £10m in the Tay Cities Deal and gives the wider region a focus to further increase visitor numbers throughout the year. Perthshire alone witnessed a boost of almost 8% in annual visitor numbers between 2015 and 2016. A separately funded £20m project to transform Perth City Hall – a key cultural asset – will see construction work begin this year. It is an important milestone in transforming Perth’s key landmarks, and sits alongside other recent cultural projects, such as the redevelopment of Perth Theatre and Perth Museum & Art Gallery.

More than £15m will also go towards a Perth bus and rail interchange project under the Tay Cities Deal. That money will deliver an improved passenger experience and enhance visitors’ arrival in Perth city centre, further reinforcing Perth’s position as a key strategic transport hub for Scotland: more than half of the country’s population already live within an hour’s drive.

Councillor Murray Lyle, leader of Perth & Kinross Council, said: “The projects that will be taken forward through the deal will act as a catalyst for economic growth across the region and will help to cement relationships between local authorities, commercial bodies and other service providers. This Tay Cities Deal will combine increased prosperity with greater equity; the kind that creates opportunities for everyone.”

THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTING UP TO £20M FOR A REGIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, TO REDUCE SKILLS SHORTAGES AND SUPPORT PEOPLE TO RE-SKILL INTO NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

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INVEST IN PERTH_WINTER 2019

Pitlochry Festival Theatre (PFT), which was named Scotland’s Most Welcoming Theatre in 2018, has been awarded £10m in the Tay Cities Deal.

“We have been focused on growing the ambition, scale and range of the work we produce,” said Colin Liddell, Chair of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, “[and] this award is a strong endorsement of PFT’s achievements in recent years.”

The cultural offer is undoubtedly central to visitors’ experience of Highland Perthshire and in preparation for the Tay Cities Deal bid, PFT has developed its Vision 2021 project. The theatre already delivers a year-round programme, which is a key draw for visitors to the area. The Theatre generates a Gross Value Added in excess of £13m annually and supports around 300 jobs, with its artistic programme helping to draw visitors year-round: indeed most Highland Perthshire

accommodation providers now don’t close during the winter season – including those in Pitlochry itself.

Vision 2021 includes ambitious plans to transform the theatre’s infrastructure and buildings, potentially adding a second auditorium with a capacity for 300 people to supplement the existing 538 seat theatre, which will also benefit from a full refurbishment. The second auditorium will help diversify the range of production and help host a broad mix of touring shows.

Kris Bryce, Executive Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, added: “We are pleased to have received this strong signal of support from the Scottish Government. It is a brilliant start. This offers a platform for PFT to increase our already substantial efforts to attract future funding from a number of other sources. We look forward to further discussions about accessing the regional culture and tourism investment programme within the Tay Cities Deal.”

WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON GROWING THE AMBITION, SCALE AND RANGE OF THE WORK WE PRODUCE.

* Quote source: www.angus.gov.uk/news/tay_cities_deal_agreement_signed_for_heads_of_terms

FEATURE

PERTH WEST ECO PARK

Perth Eco Innovation Park comprises a 20-hectare site on the western edge of Perth and will be accessed off a planned new junction on the A9. The Park will host a range of infrastructure and facilities to support the transition of Perth to a low-carbon economy, while creating skilled employment opportunities. Through the Tay Cities Deal, and subject to a robust

business case, the UK Government commits to invest up to £5m in on-site infrastructure.

A key element is the Innovation Highway: an integrated energy, data and road corridor which enables logistics businesses, public transport operators, offices, schools and neighbourhoods to access low-carbon, smart energy and mobility infrastructure.

Alexander Dewar, Director of Dupplin Renewable Energy Company, said: “The announcement of the Tay Cities Deal is a significant milestone in the delivery of the Perth Eco Innovation Park. The scale and ambition of this network makes it a first for Scotland, delivering innovative infrastructure and facilities that tackle the challenges that cities and regions face as they adapt to climate change, whilst driving forward inclusive economic growth. This approach reflects the aims of both the Scottish Government’s energy strategy and the UK’s industrial strategy. Working closely with a range of interested groups including the Perth & Kinross Council, Tactran, SEPA and government agencies, we are determined to deliver this innovative infrastructure, so that Perth and Tayside can lead the way as a smart, green region.”

> INFO www.investinperth.co.uk/perth-west

THREE ECO PROJECTS BENEFITING FROM TAY CITIES DEAL FUNDING

The UK Government will, following agreement on a robust business case, invest up to £5.2 million to support development of a two-phase project at Binn Ecopark to build the world’s first advanced plastic reprocessing facility in the Tay Cities Region.

Phase 1 will be the development of the world’s first Advanced Plastic Reprocessing Facility, a major integrated waste facility in Tayside. Phase 2 will be the development of a next-generation advanced plastic-sorting facility as a global blueprint for bestpractice recycling of 90%-plus of all household plastics.

John Ferguson of Pi Polymer Recycling said, ‘’The award of Tay Cities Deal funding to a small innovation-based SME and its partner company, Recycling Technologies Ltd, is a major boost. The funding will allow us to take our innovative new approach to plastics recycling, based at Binn Ecopark, to the next phase in providing advanced plastics sorting. This new system will allow us to collect all household and commercial plastics for either mechanical or chemical recycling, delivering a change in recycling rates from today’s rate of 15% to nearly 90%.”

> INFO

Perthshire’s advanced plastic sorting facility will be a global blueprint for best-practice recycling of 90%-plus of all household plastics.

ADVANCED PLASTICS REPROCESSING FACILITY JAMES HUTTON INSTITUTE AT BINN ECOPARK

The James Hutton Institute is a well-respected and globally recognised research organisation delivering fundamental and applied science to drive the sustainable use of land and natural resources.

Through the Tay Cities Deal the UK and Scottish governments have committed to invest up to £62m to support the development of an International Barley Hub (IBH) and Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC).

Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive, welcomed the news: “The Tay Cities Deal is a huge vote of confidence in Tayside. Both projects we are involved in represent significant investment in the future of this region, in key sectors for the regional and national economy, and have the potential to unlock substantial economic benefits. Our governments, industry partners and colleagues across academia were instrumental in achieving this outcome and we owe them and the Cities Deal teams many thanks.”

> INFO www.hutton.ac.uk

www.binngroup.co.uk

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WINTER 2019_INVEST IN PERTH

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“Perth has an amazing range of assets, but as residents we don’t always recognise its strengths,” says Steven Stewart of Stagecoach, who chaired the private sector-led Perth Place Marketing Group, which developed the Story of Place. Launched last November, it creates a consistent template that anyone and everyone can use to help promote Perth, while at the same time promoting their own business or organisation.

The Story of Place has three core themes: the strength of Perth’s independents; the city’s physical and digital connectivity; and the area’s superb quality of life.

“Perth is a hub of creative excellence, from the quirky and passionate independent retailers who make our city centre so vibrant, to the creativity and innovation of our food and drink sector,” says Steven.

With such a broad range of passionate independent retailers – a greater concentration than in any other Scottish city – it’s easy to see why The Perth Gift Card has been such a huge success, helping to keep spend local and now with more than 80 participating businesses. That’s one reason why Perth’s city centre remains so popular with residents and visitors alike.

“Perth has a really distinctive offer – we’re not just about recognisable High Street brands, even though we have a number of them here; we’ve got a great independent culture and the owners of these independent businesses are all passionate about their products,” adds Steven. “We want to harness that passion.”

Dawn Fuge, owner of Precious Sparkle, is one such retailer, and co-chair of the Perth Traders Association. She spoke at the launch: “I moved to Perth 15 years ago via Manhattan, where I grew up when local retail reflected each community, and Edinburgh.

Living here was not a difficult choice. It is an astonishingly beautiful, compact city.”

highlighted. “Perth chose me. When I came to Scotland it immediately felt like home, and Perth was the right place to settle, open my business and raise my family. Friends come to visit and don’t want to go. That’s true too for my staff. Here you can attract good-quality team members who want to stay.”

“Perth’s beautiful natural environment and access to a wide range of active outdoor pursuits is a vital part of the appeal,” says Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, who highlighted the city’s stunning, unspoilt natural skyline of trees and hills.

Perth is a strategic transport hub for Scotland’s road and rail networks, with easy access to Scotland’s other major cities and half of Scotland’s population just an hour’s travel away. It is a comparatively low-cost base for business, while other major cities face high property prices. Perth Harbour is ideally located for access to rail and road

PERTH’S STORY OF PLACE Cultivating an independent culture...

• High-quality independent businesses • New and revitalised cultural attractions •R ecord numbers of SMEs across the region • Strong tourism destination • Ambition to be one of Europe’s great small cities Local and international connections • Strategic transport hub • Easy access by road, rail and air •A gateway to Scotland’s other major cities and attractions • Excellent digital connectivity A living oasis • A place to invest in yourself • S tunning countryside and access to the active outdoors • Big Tree Country and the River Tay on your doorstep • Great place to raise a family • Access to affordable housing and excellent education • Superb quality of life

LIVE LIFE WELL

THAT IS THE MESSAGE AT THE HEART OF PERTH’S STORY OF PLACE, A DISTILLATION OF ALL THAT MAKES PERTH UNIQUE AND PROMISES SUCH A POSITIVE PLACE FOR YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR PERSONAL QUALITY OF LIFE. “Perth is going places. We have created something unique and special here, making sure residents and visitors are excited by what we and other independent retailers offer. We share values and have a common attitude to offer a warm welcome and a bespoke solution.”

The city is also one where staff, across all business sizes, like to stay, as award-winning chef and local entrepreneur Praveen Kumar

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INVEST IN PERTH_WINTER 2019

PERTH ALSO OFFERS EASY ACCESS TO THREE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS, WHICH PROVIDE DIRECT FLIGHTS TO MORE THAN

DESTINATIONS DAILY

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THE NEXT STEP “Successful cities tell a consistent and dynamic story,” says Steven. “We need to up our game in a competitive world. Our Story of Place does that for Perth.

“We have a toolkit to give everyone that consistent overview, for use across multiple channels, both digital and print. Telling the new Perth story will not only benefit your own business. It will also help deliver a more prosperous and sustainable economy for Perth and the surrounding area, because the message about the quality of life on offer here will attract more visitors, more residents and more investors.

“We know from the consultations during the development of our story that it is authentic. It’s not an unfamiliar glossy ad: it’s what local people across our region feel as employees and individuals. It’s a story that will evolve and be built upon as we take our city forward.

“Our message to the world is simple: Perth is a place where life feels good. Come and experience what makes our city special.

We live life well, and you can too.”

FEATURE

networks, and the city also offers easy access to three international airports, which provide direct flights to over 200 destinations daily.

“It’s a great place to be based whether you’re an international business like Stagecoach or an SME,” adds Steven.

“We have easy connections to so many of Scotland’s top attractions, from Gleneagles to the V&A in Dundee, as well as having great places to enjoy in our own right, such as Scone Palace, Perth Racecourse or our museums and galleries. There is excellent digital connectivity here and, within 10 minutes, you can escape to the hills at the end of the working day.”

“In the past, the message about our city hasn’t been focused and our strengths have become diluted,” says Steven. “Now we have a strong consistent story for us to position Perth as an ambitious city that can compete globally.”

EVERYONE CAN HELP You can get involved immediately by downloading and using the free toolkit in your own marketing from perthlivelifewell.co.uk. Promote your city and its local businesses on social media using #perthlivelifewell.

WE HAVE A STRONG CONSISTENT STORY FOR US TO POSITION PERTH AS AN AMBITIOUS CITY THAT CAN COMPETE GLOBALLY.

BECOME AN AMBASSADOR Councillor Murray Lyle, Leader of Perth & Kinross Council, called on all those attending the launch to become ambassadors. “Perth is the third most vibrant economy in Scotland. The Council will spend more than £500m over the next ten years, topped up by the Tay Cities Deal, which promises £350m more to stimulate our local economy. We must use this story to maximise our opportunity and deliver the growth that will ensure Perth remains the perfect place to live.”

Get involved by registering for our Ambassador programme at perthlivelifewell.co.uk. You will be invited to senior networking opportunities, be kept up to date on new developments and opportunities, and raise your organisation’s profile as a listed ambassador.

> INFO perthlivelifewell.co.uk

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FAST-TRACK:

PERTHSHIRE FIRM CONTINUES RAPID INTERNATIONAL GROWTH

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The company, which started in 2006 in the UK the next day, by 10am if we need to,” in the Perthshire town, licenses adds Ewan. or owns the rights to design and Quality of life is an important factor, too. distribute fashion and sportswear Ewan believes that Blairgowrie is “a great place brands. GLD also supplies Italian to live and work. We have excellent staff who shoe line Superga and French rain are loyal and local; the area works well for us.” jacket brand K-Way. Over the last The next stage for GLD is to continue 12 years it has evolved into a multiexpansion in the company’s existing brands. brand, multi-territory import-export “Germany is a growth area for us,” Ewan business with wholesale, retail and says. “We sponsor three of the teams in the e-commerce interests.

Director Ewan Scott explains: “When we started the business we managed a brand called Kappa, and from that we’ve moved on into different brands and different areas.” These brands include Superga shoes (sported recently by the Duchess of Cambridge!), sportswear giant Umbro, Sebago shoes, K-Way, and Amplified, a rock music T-shirt brand. As well as supplying these brands in their own right, GLD also supplies a plethora of well-known retailers including Asos, White Company, John Lewis and Selfridges.

In 2017, GLD Group was named as the fastest-growing Scottish business for international sales, ranking 20th in The Sunday Times HSBC BLAIRGOWRIE IS A International Track GREAT PLACE TO LIVE 200 league table. They achieved growth in AND WORK. WE HAVE this area of 112% over EXCELLENT STAFF WHO two years, bolstered ARE LOYAL AND LOCAL; by demand from THE AREA WORKS WELL Germany, Switzerland FOR US. and Benelux.

The company continues to have a strong presence in Blairgowrie as well as a London office. As Ewan explains: “Blairgowrie is where our family was born and bred. The business has been here in one shape or form since 1977 and has developed since then.”

Perthshire is ideally located close to airports in Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow and Aberdeen, as well as to the major road and rail networks. That means that visitors to GLD in Blairgowrie can easily fly up from London and go back home the same day. “We can also deliver anywhere

INVEST IN PERTH_WINTER 2019

Bundesliga; we also sponsor 20% of English Premier League, through the Umbro brand.”

With connections to major football leagues, combined with Scottish, UK and global connections, GLD Group is sure to keep performing at the highest level.

> INFO www.gldgroup.com

Image reproduced with kind permission of GLD Group / Superga.

FAST-TRACK

BLAIRGOWRIE-BASED GLD GROUP IS GROWING STRONGLY IN INTERNATIONAL SALES WHILE RETAINING ITS LOCAL ROOTS AND LOYAL WORKFORCE.

GOOD COMPANY

HONOUR FOR DIRECTOR OF CENTRE FOR MOUNTAIN STUDIES

Prof Martin Price is the first Professor at UHI to be elected a Fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

• To lead in the development and delivery of academic courses and training.

“I am honoured to receive this recognition for my work in communicating science to diverse audiences,” added Professor Price, who also shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“Some scientists are excellent researchers, focusing on producing new knowledge; some, like me, focus on making sure that science can be understood and used. This has long been a key principle for me, whether writing, speaking, or organising conferences and other meetings.”

GOOD COMPANY

The Centre for Mountain Studies (CMS) at Perth College UHI was established in August 2000, and earlier this year its Director – Professor Martin Price – became the first Professor at the University of the Highlands and Islands to be elected a fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Professor Clive Mulholland, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, said: “It is a fitting recognition of his commitment to sharing knowledge on and inspiring passion about our mountainous regions.”

In September 2018, Professor Price’s UNESCO chair in Sustainable Mountain Development was also renewed for the second time. It is now extended until 2021.

With a focus on mountain environments and the people who depend on them, both in Scotland and internationally, the CMS comprises an international group of scientists and has four main goals: • To undertake and communicate high-quality research • To convene meetings to disseminate and discuss knowledge and to develop research agendas • To contribute to informed policy-making processes

> INFO www.perth.uhi.ac.uk/subject-areas /centre-for-mountain-studies

A BUSINESS CUSTOM-MADE FOR PERTH’S CONNECTIVITY Customisation of vehicles was born largely of necessity, but in recent years the popularity of shows such as ‘Orange County Choppers’ and ‘Biker Build-Off’, and the rise of biking as a summer recreation, has seen customised bikes enjoy a surge in popularity – with budgets rising in parallel.

Now, Perthshire’s only custom workshop – JM Customs in Perth – has embarked on a mission to make customisation affordable again. “In some cases, custom builds are costing a small fortune,” says James Moir.

“I set out, in January 2017, to make customisation more affordable – making custom motorcycles accessible to more people. While some parts are harder to make or source we try to complete all commissions within 12 weeks.”

James certainly seems to have spotted a niche market with huge potential. “We have an eight-month waiting list for commissions at present.”

Growth has come through word of mouth and social media alone. “Ultimately, there is no better feeling than stepping back and looking at something you’ve built with your own hands. Every bike we do

WWW.INVESTINPERTH.CO.UK

is truly a labour of love – and I think people like that we are keeping the hand-crafted element of bike building alive!”

The business now has a fully equipped service and repair centre employing two additional staff and has a planning application lodged to create a dedicated 2,000 sq ft workshop for the custom business in an adjacent unit on Perth’s PH2 business estate. “Once our expansion is fitted out, JM Customs is on a mission to make customisation affordable.

in 2019, I expect we’ll have seven or eight employees working with us full-time.”

James has no doubt that Perth is the best location for his growing business. “The quality of life here is fantastic. Schools are great, and within 15 minutes you can be in some of the best scenery Scotland has to offer. We’re also within a 60-minute drive of half of Scotland’s population.

“Perth is also great for local business looking to help each other. We’ve had commissions from several local traders, and we like to use Upholstery, another Perth-based business, for all our custom leather work. Overheads for the business can be contained here and I’m also talking to Perth College UHI about opportunities to give work experience to some of their best students.”

Setting up any business is never easy.

“But it’s been good,” says James. “We’re old-school: we eat, sleep and breathe motorcycles, and the customer is our focus. Bikers like that. We’re grateful for the support we’ve had, inspired by what we see ahead, and motivated by what can be achieved.”

> INFO facebook.com/JMCustomsperth

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EVENTS ARE HUGELY POPULAR ALL YEAR ROUND EVENTS SUCH AS 2018’S RECORD-BREAKING ENCHANTED FOREST ARE HELPING TO EXTEND PERTHSHIRE’S TOURIST SEASON, WITH MORE THAN HALF OF ITS 80,000 VISITORS STAYING LOCALLY FOR AT LEAST ONE NIGHT.

The popular Amber Festival returned in 2018, drawing thousands to a number of music events across Perthshire.

Perth’s Winter Festival programme brings a seasonal extravaganza of markets, shows, family fun and cultural events, including the Hallowe’en event, Chinese New Year celebrations and the Riverside Light Nights. Along with the Christmas programme at Pitlochry Festival Theatre – officially Scotland’s Most Welcoming Theatre – and Pitlochry’s traditional Hogmanay celebrations, it’s drawing visitors to the area in significant numbers.

The growing market is also supported across the business sector, with Meetings Perthshire reporting enquiries in the second half of 2017 for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences or Exhibitions (MICE) for Perthshire venues exceeding £2.65m.

Perth Christmas Market ran from November to December, with headline

QUALITY OF MENTORING AT GROWBIZ CELEBRATED GrowBiz, the Perthshire community enterprise support group established in 2014, has become the first in Scotland to achieve a quality standard for its business mentoring programme.

Blairgowrie-based GrowBiz currently has more than 70 participants, who are guided, encouraged and challenged by the mentors to develop new skills and abilities.

The Scottish Mentoring Network acknowledged the project’s high standard and good practice at its annual conference, presenting the quality award and naming

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INVEST IN PERTH_WINTER 2019

performances from Pixie Lott and James Arthur for the switch-on of Christmas Lights in November. Local artists and designer-makers also showcased their work at the annual Perthshire Creates Christmas Design Market in November.

The New Year got off to a bright start with spectacular lighting and entertainment. Last year, during the inaugural City of Light event, more than 53,000 people visited Perth’s city centre after dark, helping extend footfall and trading as part of a £5m project that also sees landmarks across the city lit by colourful spotlights and animated projections.

The tourism sector supports more than 9,500 local jobs and is a prominent part of investment plans under the recently confirmed Tay Cities Deal (see page 10).

> INFO www.perthcity.co.uk/winterfestival

GrowBiz Scottish Mentoring Network’s Business Project of the Year.

Alan Garratt, mentoring programme co-ordinator for GrowBiz, said: “The GrowBiz mentoring programme is a network of trained mentors who give their time to encourage, motivate and support local enterprises. We are over the moon that the hard work and dedication of the mentoring team and that of all our volunteer mentors has been recognised.

All the individual efforts by the mentoring team and volunteers have a huge impact on the rural economy.”

Iain Matheson, vice-chair of the Rural Perth and Kinross LEADER Action Group, which funds the Enterprising Rural Perthshire project that runs the mentoring programme, also welcomed the news. “The support and mentoring GrowBiz offer is invaluable to start-up, micro and small businesses.”

Perth Harbour accepts coastal and dry bulk ships up to 90m in length.

CONNECTIVITY

Perthshire Amber returned to Dunkeld in November, after taking a break last year. The live music festival returned refreshed and revitalised, with performances delivering one of the busiest weekends of the year for local businesses.

© Steve Turvey / Fanatic 2018

LIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS REFRESHED

> INFO www.perthshireamber.com

During Perth’s inaugural City of Light event, more than 53,000 people visited the city centre after dark.

10 DAYS OF MUSIC WERE ENJOYED

BY FESTIVAL-GOERS FROM

25 WWW.INVESTINPERTH.CO.UK

COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE

Perthshire Amber, organised by folk musician Dougie MacLean and his wife Jenny, had built up an international following in previous years, with thousands of fans travelling to Perthshire from around the world for up to 10 days of music. Its return this year featured a more streamlined diary, with performances condensed into three days. Still there were festivalgoers from 25 countries worldwide!

The festival included acoustic music sessions in Dunkeld’s four historic pubs, open mic performances and early evening Cabaret Amber concerts with

Strategically located at the highest navigable point on the river Tay, Perth Harbour is a modern, efficient and well-run facility that is well suited to meet the needs of the 21st century.

It provides a lower cost logistical alternative to larger coastal ports and generates both financial and environmental benefits by cutting haulage miles. Situated about one mile from Perth city centre, it connects easily to the area’s excellent network of motorways, dual carriageways and the national rail network, making it ideal for fast and easy transportation of goods to all areas of Scotland and Northern England.

Open around the clock, Perth Harbour accepts coastal and dry bulk ships up to 90m in length, typically carrying goods from Europe, the Baltic or Scandinavia.

Because of its scale, vessels can arrive on one tide, and depart on the next, ensuring maximum efficiency.

Cargoes passing through Perth Harbour range from traditional agriculture-related cargoes such as animal feedstuffs and fertilisers to timber, chemicals and baryte ore.

The Port is owned by Perth & Kinross Council and operated by CalMac Harbours, a division of CalMac Ferries Ltd.

LIVING

some great young bands. There was a fiddle concert in the atmospheric Murthly Castle Chapel performed

by Dougie MacLean and Tim Edey, Dougie’s solo live performance at Perth Concert Hall on Saturday November 3rd, before a sold-out concert to close the festival on the Sunday evening.

Perthshire Amber returns in 2019 from 1 – 3 November.

HARBOUR CONNECTS STRATEGIC ROAD NETWORK TO EUROPEAN MARKETS

> INFO www.perthharbour.co.uk e. perth.harbour@calmac.co.uk

If you would like to find out more about how we can help you and your business establish, relocate or expand within the city region, or would simply like more information about what Perth has to offer, contact investinperth@pkc.gov.uk

WINTER 2019_INVEST IN PERTH

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THE NUMBERS TAY CITIES DEAL INVESTMENT IN PERTH & KINROSS OVERALL DEAL: £350M – 6,000 JOBS INVESTMENT IN PERTH & KINROSS: £151.7M

INVESTMENT IN ...

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

REGIONAL SKILLS PROGRAMMES

£58.5M

£20M

INNOVATION PROJECTS

REGIONAL ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING PROGRAMMES

£72.2M CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS

£20M

INVESTMENT IN LOW CARBON TRANSPORT HUB

£3.5M

INVESTMENT IN RURAL DIGITAL

£1M

£20M

REGIONAL CULTURAL PROGRAMMES

£27M

PROJECT BEACON:

90% PLASTIC WASTE TO

BE CONVERTED INTO VALUABLE RESOURCES

£62M INVESTMENT IN FOOD

AND DRINK RESEARCH