Stirling Eye - Summer 2007

Inside this issue Summer 2007

Delivering Forthside Branding the Heart of Scotland Profile of Deeside Timberframe Looking for funding?

Economic indicators

STIRLING EYE

Focus on the local economy

Contents

Welcome

Branding the Heart of Scotland

Small Business Charter for Scotland’s Local Government 3

Welcome to the first edition of Stirling Eye a new quarterly roundup of facts, news and features that we hope will be of interest, and use, to the business community of Stirling.

Stirling Council’s Environment Services plays a key role in encouraging and supporting the development of the local economy. Over the last few months the Council has been developing its structures in order to make them even more fit for purpose and Environment Services now embraces a wide range of functions that interact with the business community. This includes Planning, Environmental Health, Trading Standards, City Centre Management and Economic Development.

Stirling Council is a relatively small Council but it has big ambitions that are linked to a range of significant and exciting opportunities. We have long experience of working in

3

partnership with the private sector and through our joint venture, Stirling Ventures, we are beginning to see the fruits of our labours with the ongoing developments at Forthside.

In future editions of this magazine I look forward to being able to highlight the new developments, opportunities and successes that Stirling Council and its partners are involved in that will help to secure Stirling’s future as a great place to live, work and visit.

Councillor Colin O’Brien Executive Member – Corporate Resources and Economy

Looking for funding?

3

Business Profile of Deeside Timberframe

4

Important new legislation

4

Has your company registered on Stirling Council’s FREE online Business Directory?

4

Positive feedback from construction sector training seminars 5 Forth Valley Regional Economic Development Strategy

5

Stirling city region: economic positioning

5

Taxi!

5

Raploch Urban Regeneration Company

6

Planning applications update

6

Sustainable Stirling

6

Space - The final frontier

7

Business space developments

7

Securing the Future For Loch Katrine 7

Stirling Eye is compiled and produced by Stirling Council Economic Development Department.

If you have any interesting news with a business or economic focus, or would like to comment on this publication, please contact: Joëlle Russell Business Research & Intelligence Executive Environment Services Economic Strategy & Intelligence Stirling Council, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET Tel: 01786 442778 Email: russelljl@stirling.gov.uk Web: www.stirling.gov.uk Printed on recycled paper.

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Focus on the local economy

If you need this information in large print, Braille, audio or in another language please contact 0845 277 7000 and quote reference number 12345.

The Forth dimension

8

Buy local in and around the National Park

8

City Transport Strategy

9

Would you credit it?

9

StreetScape works

9

Shop ‘til you drop

9

Economic facts

10-11

Castle Business Park

12

Property search facility

12

Visit Stirling

12

Filming in Stirling 2007

12

Branding the Heart of Scotland Lake of Menteith-based and Bridge of Allan-born celebrity chef Nick Nairn joined Provost Margaret Brisley and over 250 representatives from the business community recently at the Stirling Castle launch of an ambitious drive to place the Stirling area firmly at the heart of modern Scotland.

“We know that more and more local

to them. I’m excited by the enthusiasm

The eye-catching brand, designed by

people, businesses and organisations feel

the launch has generated, and delighted to

consultants Tayburn to reflect the area’s

it’s time for our area to speak with one

have the support of Nick Nairn and many

vibrancy and geographical, cultural and

voice and promote the qualities that set us

other leading members of our business,

historical place at the heart of Scotland, is

apart and make us special,” said Provost

academic and artistic communities.”

already on display in and around Stirling on

Brisley.

banners, buses, poster sites and billboards.

Public and private sectors will work

“The ‘Stirling - Scotland’s Heart’

together to promote the city and area to

Business organisations in the Stirling area

marketing initiative is the result of careful

a wide range of target audiences in the

wanting to get involved and support the

consultation and research, and sums up

push to attract more visitors, businesses,

brand by using it should get in touch with

what people have told us Stirling means

students and new residents to Stirling.

the Stirling Brand Team on 01786 442721.

Small Business Charter for Scotland’s Local Government Small businesses are at the heart of every community in Scotland, providing essential local services and jobs throughout the country.

Across Scotland, 98 per cent of businesses employ less than fifty people, and SMEs support 52 per cent of all private sector employment.

Local Authorities can have a significant impact on small businesses’ success or failure, and in the run up to the 2007 local elections the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland (FSB Scotland) encouraged our local politicians to consider their role in developing thriving local economies.

The FSB’s vision of a confident, prosperous Scotland relies on local government that understands the link between successful and sustainable local economies and successful and sustainable communities.

FSB would like to see local government that sees local businesses not just as taxpayers and employers, but as local residents, consumers of council services, and a vital part of the fabric of the local community. It also depends on local authorities understanding their impact on local businesses and using the range of tools at their disposal to help nurture and support their local businesses.

FSB Scotland believes that enterprising local government is key to a Smart, Successful Scotland, and they know that councils increasingly agree that they have a critical role to play in economic development.

Looking for funding?

Stirling4Funding is a web-based way to apply for funding for your Business, Community or Social Enterprise. Search online for information about what funding support is available and how to access it. Stirling4Funding can search through over 1500 funding opportunities to pinpoint the right scheme for you. Whether you’re running a local business, community group or other organisation, the funding help you need could be just a few clicks away. Over £100m of grant funding goes unclaimed in the UK every year. So don’t miss out. Visit www.stirling.gov.uk/business/funding to find out more.

FSB Scotland believe there is more that local authorities can do to promote growth in their area, and have prepared a list of recommendations for local economic growth.

These are: l

Business Focused Services

l

Town Centres

l

Help Business Recycle

l

Town Centre Traffic Management

l

Planning

l

Open up Procurement

l

Non-Domestic Rates

l

Regulation – Inspection and Enforcement

Stirling Council, through the development of its Business Partnership Initiative, will consider these recommendations and work within the Council, with the business community and with its partners to explore the extent to which these aspirations can be met. The question is whether these recommendations are all relevant for the Stirling area and what priority our business community place on these.

Did You Know?

The Stirling Council area has almost 100 more VAT registered businesses per 10,000 population than the Scotland average? The density of VAT registered businesses per 10,000 population in Stirling is 340, compared to 254 for Scotland as a whole and 233 for Forth Valley.

STIRLING EYE

Focus on the local economy

Deeside Timberframe Following the opening of a manufacturing plant at Bandeath Industrial Estate in Stirling two years ago, Deeside Timberframe are now set to double their Stirling workforce. Deeside began life as a small joinery business generations ago at the Crathes Estate on Royal Deeside, and progressed into manufacture of timber frames for housing around 25 years ago.

Stephen Stewart, General / Operations Manager

Ray Waite, Business

Wales, Birmingham, Stoke-

for expansion. The rural feel

Development Manager,

on-Trent, Sheffield, Leeds,

and high amenity panoramic

reports that Deeside chose

Edinburgh and Glasgow.

views of Stirling, the Ochils

Bandeath Industrial Estate

The factory is located in a

as a location for their new

former engineering building

factory due to its central location and in recognition

at Bandeath Industrial Estate,

and the Forth also make it an exceptionally nice place to work and do business.

which has provided Deeside

Deeside directly employ 16

with the flexibility required

staff in Stirling, including two

to take on more commercial

former unemployed residents

projects. The factory

taken on last January, and

provides a perfect layout

draw on around 20 to 30

for the movement of large

sub-contracted workers at any

components and plenty of

moment in time. They also

yard space, which Ray reports

offer training placements and

The Bandeath factory is

is often lacking in newer build

have worked with Breaking the

currently manufacturing

industrial units. Ray says that

Mould, a programme helping

timber frames for housing,

Bandeath has proved to be an

unemployed women from

supermarkets, hospitals,

excellent location, providing

Raploch take up jobs in the

schools and other commercial

central access to the motorway

construction industry. Deeside

development projects in South

networks and plenty of room

source sub-contractors from

of the significant amount of regeneration work happening across Forth Valley. Stirling provides an ideal base for servicing the whole of Scotland and North of England.

Forth Valley where possible, and report that networking and links made through the ForthConstruction Forum have helped them source plumbing, electrical and other services locally. The company’s former Commercial Director, Derek Wann, was awarded Stirling’s 2006 Provost Award in recognition of Deeside’s local initiatives and use of local contractors.

If you would like to find out more about Deeside Timberframe or are interested in joining the industry, please visit www.bancon.co.uk or contact Ray Waite on 07725 070246, email ray. waite@bancon.co.uk

Important new legislation Inclusion

New legislation that came into force on 1st January 2007 means

in the

that every business must now state their company details on their

directory

website and on all commercial electronic communications.

is free to those

This new legislation amends sections 349 and 351 of the Companies Act 1985. The details that must be posted on a company’s electronic communications include the company’s name, place of registration, registration number and registered head office address details.

businesses located within the Stirling Council area and registration is easy.

The directory provides an up-to-date valuable reference resource for local and national businesses as well as residents

If a company has a website, an online presence, use electronic

of, and visitors to, the Stirling area. Over 50% of businesses

forms or if it sends e-mails or faxes, it is now covered by this

in the area are already benefiting from this facility and the

amendment to the Companies Act. Failure to comply with the

directory has the potential to help companies source goods and

regulation will leave the company liable to prosecution. Any officer

services locally as well as generating new business from outside

of the company or person who issues a non-complying document

of the area. Local companies who have not yet registered are

or website will be liable to a fine of up to £1,000. If convicted the

encouraged to sign up. Please contact Laura Johnson on 01786

accused will be left with a criminal record.

443028 or email johnsonl@stirling.gov.uk for an application

For more information on this Act, please visit the DTI’s website www.dti.gov.uk/bbf/co-act-2006/index.html

STIRLING EYE

Focus on the local economy

form. Alternatively, register your details online by logging on to www.stirling.gov.uk/business and click on the link to the business directory.

Forth Valley Regional Economic Development Strategy The Forth Valley Economic Forum is currently conducting consultations for an updated Regional Economic Development Strategy for Forth Valley. The Economic Forum provides strategic leadership and coordination in the delivery

Positive feedback from construction sector training seminars

of economic development activities across Forth Valley.

Organised at the Stirling Management Centre, the

If you would like to find out more about the development of the Strategy, please

Forthconstruction “procurement” training course

contact Ewan Mearns (Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley) on 01786 451919 or

was, once again, a real success as we gathered

email ewan.mearns@scotent.co.uk

The Strategy provides a framework for action by relevant public agencies. It is built on a clear and shared understanding of the needs of Forth Valley, recognising the role of Forth Valley in developing a 21st Century Scotland. The priorities of the draft Strategy are to: l

stimulate a growing and sustainable economy;

l

promote a competitive and productive skills base; and

l

develop an attractive, efficient and connected business environment.

attendees from over 14 local construction companies. The participants came from various roles in the construction industry and everyone shared their different experiences.

The need for procurement training was identified through discussions with local construction businesses and was developed around the following topics: l

Pre-qualification

l

Form of tender

l

Risk assessment

Taking place earlier this year, the seminars were designed to increase the knowledge and turnover of the local participants. They were delivered through joint working between Stirling Council and Forth Valley College, and covered all the common procurement practices that local construction businesses are likely to encounter.

In addition to the course training modules, attendees were involved in various practical exercises and will receive a College Certificate for their efforts. Verbal feedback from the attendees on the two and a half day course was excellent. Ray Waite (Business Development Manager, Deeside Timberframe) told us that he most appreciated the quality of the course but also enjoyed the atmosphere and the networking opportunities throughout.

We look forward to providing further capacity building initiatives to local business in the near future. For more information please visit our website at www.forthconstruction.co.uk or call Sandy Frickleton on 01786 443403, email frickletona@stirling.gov.uk

Stirling city region: economic positioning Stirling Council and Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley have commissioned the Training and Employment Research Unit (TERU) from Glasgow University to conduct a research project looking at the economic positioning of the Stirling City Region.

The two key aims of the project are to: l

identify which business / industrial sectors are critical to provide a sustainable economy for the Stirling City Region.

l

develop an informed positioning of the Stirling City Region within metropolitan Scotland, exploring Stirling’s linkages to other economies.

The results of the research project (expected early October 2007) will guide Stirling Council and partners in reviewing the local economic development strategy, Making Stirling Work. If you would like to find out more about the research project or Making Stirling Work, please contact Joëlle Russell on 01786 442778, or email russelljl@stirling.gov.uk

Taxi!

Over the last 3 years, Stirling’s Safer Cities Project has provided taxi stewards at key ranks in Stirling at night over the Christmas season.

The Safer Cities Project is now looking to extend this service further, providing taxi stewards at key ranks in the evenings over the summer.

Taxi stewards aid access to the city centre and help ensure community safety. The stewards are employed by the Safer Cities Project through funding from the Community Safety Partnership, which follows an award winning project by the Stirling Safer Cities Initiative. The scheme has now been picked up as best practice across Scotland, with taxi stewards now operating in Aberdeen, Dunfermline, East Kilbride, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Kirkcaldy.

STIRLING EYE

Focus on the local economy

Raploch Urban Regeneration Company The Raploch area of Stirling is undergoing a ten-year regeneration project which has the community at its very heart.

Raploch was designated

250 socially rented) being

nursery, a community centre

implement Community

Urban Regeneration

built by developer R3 a

and sports facilities.

Benefit in Procurement (CBiP).

pathfinder status by the

consortium of Cruden Homes

A new pedestrian-friendly

This means 225 training and

Scottish Executive in June 2004.

(East) Ltd and George

environment and village

employment opportunities are

Today, the regeneration is set

Wimpey East Scotland Ltd.

square adjacent to the campus.

to enter a very real stage. In

l

Stirling Council’s Community

l

l

A new community health

the next 12 months the area

Campus consisting of two

complex containing space

will see:

primary schools, a special

for six GP practices.

l

The first of 900 new

needs school, a family

houses (650 private and

centre/out of school care

that the Raploch URC is living up to its promise of making

be the first in Scotland to

the heart of everything we do’.

Stirling Council since the start of the year. Those recently approved include: l

An application by SPS Ltd to erect four industrial buildings (2,884 sq m industrial) on land opposite C & A Models, Borrowmeadow Road, Stirling.

l

An application by Allan Water Developments Ltd to develop a trade park comprising eleven units (6,958 sq m industrial/trade retail) on land South West of Broadleys Roundabout on the former Adult Training Centre site.

l

An application by Dundas & Wilson to develop a sports village (5.29 Ha leisure) on land at Forthbank.

l

An application by CRA Ltd to develop plots for industry (0.74 Ha industrial) to the West of units 1-3 on the Main Street, Cowie.

An application by Sainsbury’s Supermarket to extend the supermarket (1,280 sq m retail) at Back O’Hill Road, Raploch.

Other recent planning applications, which are still being considered and pending a decision, include: l

the next 10 years, ensuring

sure ‘community benefit is at

A number of planning applications with a significant business focus have been submitted to

l

through the R3 contract over

Raploch URC is thought to

Planning applications update

guaranteed for local people

For more info visit www.raploch.com

Sustainable Stirling Stirling’s environment makes it an attractive place to live, work and visit and contributes to its high quality of life.

As a consequence, Stirling has been able to attract a number of businesses and organisations to the City over the years. The Forthside development will add a new dimension to this with the creation

An application by United Auctions/Elphinstone Land Ltd to erect a new livestock auction market and associated facilities (13,500 sq m auction mart, 1,500 sq m retail, 1,370 sq m office) on land to the North of Hill of Drip Farm.

of sustainable office space.

l

An application by Forrest Developments Ltd for a non-food retail development with associated access, servicing and car parking (6,970 sq m retail) in the Raploch area.

approached by a number of

l

An application by Ogilvie Securities to develop an automotive recycling plant (5.0 Ha) at Bandeath Industrial Estate.

environmental sector who would

l

An application by R J M Developments (Scotland) Ltd to develop class 4 offices and class 11 leisure buildings, associated roads, parking and landscape treatment (18,254 sq m office, 1,644 sq m leisure) on land North West of Pirnhall services.

office environment. The Council’s

An application by City of Stirling Business Park Ltd to develop business space units (Class 4) and industrial units (Classes 5 and 6) including trade counter (7,897 sq m office, 7,617 sq m industrial / storage) on land at plots 13, 14 and 18, Craig Leith Road.

better understand the sector and

l

l

An application by Prudential for a mixed use development of business park, leisure / retail and residential on land at Craigforth. l An application by City of Stirling Business Ltd and Elphinstone for a mixed use development comprising business park (Class 4), housing (Class 9), hotel / leisure (Class 7), restaurant / pub, retail and further education college (Class 10) on land at Kildean Auction Mart.

STIRLING EYE

Focus on the local economy

Stirling Council has been locally based organisations in the like to move to a sustainable Economic Development Team have commissioned a small study to to explore the potential for these demands to see how these can be linked to the proposed supply at Forthside. For further details please contact Joëlle Russell (Stirling Council) on 01786 442778 or email russelljl@stirling.gov.uk

Space – The final frontier The graph below shows the trend in the number of vacant units in Stirling’s City Centre.

There is a common perception that city centres have been struggling over recent years. However, the graph shows that over the last five years, the number of vacant ground floor units in the Stirling City Centre has been relatively consistent, despite the strong growth in supply of retail and mixed use

Securing the Future For Loch Katrine

business space in Scotland’s towns and cities.

11

% City Centre Streets Vacant

10

Percentage

9 8 7 6 5

Jan

02 002 002 002 003 003 003 003 004 004 004 004 005 005 005 005 006 006 006 006 007 007 r 2 Jul 2 ct 2 an 2 pr 2 Jul 2 ct 2 an 2 pr 2 Jul 2 ct 2 an 2 pr 2 Jul 2 ct 2 an 2 pr 2 Jul 2 ct 2 an 2 pr 2 J J J J J O O O O O Ap A A A A A

20

Quarter

Source: Stirling City Centre Initiative (2007)

Data from the Scottish Property Network shows that the Stirling Council area vacancy rate for all retail property is 8.7%. The Scottish average is 13.6%.

Business space developments There are a number of exciting business property developments planned and / or underway in Stirling, aimed at increasing the variety and availability of business space in the Stirling Council area and improving facilities for local communities.

The Council has been directly

accessed at www.touchestate.

or contact Jane Steel on

involved in projects that include:

co.uk or by contacting Margaret

01786 447716 or email jane@

After 100 years in public ownership and years of uncertainty, Stirling Council has helped to secure a long term sustainable future for the tourism facilities at Loch Katrine. The facilities, which include the historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott, have been transferred into The Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust.

Stirling Council is working closely with the new Trust to improve the visitor experience and generate additional

l

Forthside;

Plews on 01786 448899 or email

spslimited.com

l

Sports Village;

margaret@touchestate.co.uk

Evans Easyspace – The Evans

l

Castle Business Park; and

Business Centre on Whitehouse

l

Broadleys Business Park.

Storage Products Services (SPS) – SPS / Developments have developed light industrial

Estate was officially opened in

units in Borrowmeadow Road,

April 2007. The Centre includes

Springkerse Industrial Estate.

a number of business suites

Phase 1 consisted of 5 new-

aimed at SMEs. There are still

build units, each of approx.

some suites of approx. 19-28 sq m

280 sq m (3,000 sq ft) – three

(200-300 sq ft) available

units are now sold and the

– to find out more, please visit

of a 28 passenger boat,

other two units are intended to

www.evanseasyspace.com or

Ellen’s Isle, which will

be used for SPS’s own business

contact Sally Cassidy on 07917

operate all year; and

growth. Phase 2 will be constructed

186892 or email sallycassidy@

In addition, the private sector, recognising the attractiveness of Stirling as a business location, is delivering a number of commercial property developments in both the urban and rural parts of the Council area. These include:

Touch Business Centre

Road, Springkerse Industrial

income. The tourism facilities at Loch Katrine are vital to the economy of the Trossachs and the surrounding rural area.

Stirling Council has helped to give the new Trust the best possible start, through: l

a grant towards the purchase and fitting-out

l

a grant towards a package

– A further conversion of a

over the next 2 years, with

evanseasyspace.com

of improvements to the

grade A listed building into

proposals for 19 two-storey

visitor facilities, including

business space has been

units each of approx. 280 sq

recently completed and

m (3,000 sq ft). Potential

Stirling University Innovation Park (SUIP) and Stirling Enterprise Park

occuplied at Touch Business

occupier and investor of Phase

(STEP) also provide a range of

“The Anchor’s Rest”.

Centre, near Cambusbarron,

1 include IT Sales and Support

space for businesses as well as

To learn more about Loch

highlighting interest in rural

Services and an Electrical and

business advice, support and

Katrine or find out about

business space in the Stirling

Networking Contractor. To find

connections. These locations

opening hours for visitor

Council area. Further details on

out more, please visit

will be featured in later editions

attractions, please visit

www.spsdevelopments.co.uk

of this publication.

www.lochkatrine.com

Touch Business Centre can be

STIRLING EYE

the upgrading of the restaurant – now named

Focus on the local economy

The Forth dimension Anyone living, working or passing through in Forthside will have noticed a great deal of construction at the site this year. The work going on now follows ten years of negotiation and planning by Stirling Ventures, the development arm of the Council.

The public will soon be able

this year. Vue, one of the UK’s

three-bedroom apartments,

to access the River Forth and

biggest cinema operators, will

with the first phase ready for

the 40 surrounding acres

run the complex, which will

occupation by the end of this

of ex-Ministry of Defence

also include three restaurants.

year. Indications are that all

land which has now been

Manchester-based developers

decontaminated and fully landscaped. This is just part

apartments offered for early release have been reserved.

CTP Ltd are delivering the scheme and are also

of a major programme of

Plans are well underway for

refurbishing the adjacent

infrastructure work on the

the remaining land, including

former barracks for office and

site, which also includes a

a 140-bed 4-star hotel with a

commercial use. One building

car park with 600 spaces,

500-seat conference facility,

has been sold to Volunteer

a coach park and a public

around 100,000 sq. ft of

Development Scotland, who

transport route with buses

sustainable offices, further

will occupy it. The main

residential and a new ‘Civic

year. Further details of these

travelling through every 12

contractor on the site is Stirling-

Square’. The key to the

projects will follow in future

minutes, linking Stirling’s city

based Ogilvie Construction.

whole Forthside project is the

issues of “Stirling Eye”.

At Riverside, the north end of

pedestrian bridge that will

If you would like to find out

Forthside, Gladedale (formerly

link the site to Stirling railway

more about the development

A long awaited eight-

Bett Homes) are developing

station. Construction of what

of Forthside, please contact

screen cinema is now under

214 residential units. This new

will be a spectacular structure

Bob Gil (Stirling Council)

construction and is expected

waterfront development will

is underway and should be

on 01786 442643 or email

to open before Christmas

include contemporary two- and

completed by spring of next

gilr@stirling.gov.uk

centre with the Springkerse Park and Ride.

Buy local in and around the National Park In partnership with LEADER+, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority and West Dunbartonshire Council, the Economic Support and Development team at Stirling Council has been busy with the production of the “Buy Local in and around the National Park” map.

This colourful and informative guide locates the local food and

If you

drink producers, the stockists of local produce, and the restaurants

would

and cafes which serve local produce in the area. As principally

like to

a tourist map, Buy Local will be distributed through the Tourist

find out

Information Centres, the National Park Visitor Centres, the Farmers

more or be involved in the forthcoming food market, please contact

Markets, and through the businesses themselves.

Stirling’s Tartan Week Farmers Market in Port Street on 31 March saw the first display and distribution of the Buy Local map (pictured), which was very well received by tourists and locals alike.

Bernard or Hilary Barker on 01877 330203 or email torrie@beeb.net The City Centre Initiative team and market organisers are also looking at the potential of another type of market event being held in late November in Port Street, possibly with a Christmas fair theme.

If you would like to find out more about the buy local campaign

Following the great response to the farmers market, a further food

or would like to request a copy of the map, please contact Anne-

market was held in Port Street on Saturday 30th June; and a future

Michelle Ketteridge (Stirling Council) on 01786 443123 or email

food market is proposed for Saturday 29th September.

ketteridgea@stirling.gov.uk

STIRLING EYE

Focus on the local economy

Would you credit it?

Stirling has successfully received the ‘Park Mark’ – Safer Parking Accreditation – for two of it’s car parks, the NCP Wellgreen Multi-storey and the recently opened Springkerse Park and Ride.

In addition the Thistles Shopping Centre is currently working towards ‘Park Mark’ accreditation for both its car parks.

City Transport Strategy

StreetScape works You may have noticed the completion of streetscape work on Friars Street in Stirling City Centre recently. Vital Stirling, an initiative focusing on the vitality of the city centre and a number of public realm improvements, delivered the environmental improvement project at Friars Street.

The City Transport Strategy was approved by the Council in June 2006 and sets out a strategy and action plan to deliver transport infrastructure, demand management and marketing measures for Stirling over the next 15 years.

This is required to accommodate new development and address

The project was funded using some of the £3.5 million awarded to Stirling through the Scottish

transport issues such as safety,

Executive’s Cities Growth Fund to carry out a range of city centre improvement projects.

traffic growth, air quality and congestion, public transport provision and information and access to services and facilities.

The Council has recently implemented a Park & Ride site at Springkerse which provides a 12 minute bus service from Springkerse to the Bus Station via Morrisons Superstore and Forthbank Stadium.

High quality stone was used to create the new street surface and seating areas, and trees are being planted to improve the appearance and environment of the street. The materials used in this project are the same as those used in the recent Port Street development and will be used in future streetscape projects to create a greater harmony between the city centre streets.

Colin Moulson, Operations Director of The Thistles and Joint Chair of the City Centre Initiative said “I am delighted to see the work being undertaken to improve the streetscape of the City Centre.

A high quality public realm is an absolute must have for successful towns and cities. Giving the public the opportunity to relax and enjoy the atmosphere and ambience of the City Centre should be a priority for all of us working in promoting Stirling’s economic growth.”

Did You Know?

City Transport Strategy projects being implemented during 2007/08 include a new western

The ubiquitous chewing-gum removal machine, used in towns throughout the UK, was invented in Stirling?

Park & Ride site at Kildean/Castle Business Park, improvements to Clock roundabout, traffic management measures on the A9 Bannockburn Road and A872 Glasgow Road, completion of the National Cycle Network Route 7 between Manor Powis and Stirling and expansion of the City Controlled Parking Zone.

Shop ‘til you drop Co-ordinated by Andy Kennedy, City Centre Manager, a guide to shopping and events is produced twice a year, in time for the Christmas and summer seasons. The summer brochure was distributed to every household in Forth Valley in June.

If you would like to find out how to get involved in the Christmas brochure, please contact Lorraine Brownbill (The Write People) on 01786 445022 or email lorraine@thewritepeople.co.uk

STIRLING EYE

Focus on the local economy

Economic facts Population and Households Figure 1: Population

Stirling 2000-2006 % Change 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Stirling Scotland

Total Population

86,160

86,200

86,150

86,370

86,370

86,930

87,810

1.9%

1.1%

Working Age Population

54,058

53,771

53,501

53,667

53,268

53,588

54,310

1.3%

2.3%

Total Number of Households

35,206

35,544

35,961

36,454

36,658

36,958

37,164

1.3%

2.3%

and

Households

Source: General Registry Office for Scotland.

Unemployment Rate

Employment Rate Figure 2: Employment Rate and Trends

Scotland

80 75

Figure 3: Unemployment Rate (as % of Working Age Population)

70 65 60

Stirling Scotland

4.0

Unemployment rate

Employment rate

Stirling

3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0

55

May 2000 Source: Claimant Count (Nomis)

2000 2005/06 Source: Labour Force Survey / Annual Population Survey (Nomis)

May 2007

Growth in Number of Jobs Figure 4: Jobs Growth 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 1999-2005 1999-2005

Change % Change Stirling

40,000

Scotland

2,167,000 2,234,300 2,299,800 2,279,500 2,307,000 2,340,000 2,391,400 224,400

Source: Notes:

40,600

42,100

41,300

40,900

42,800

45,500*

5,500

14% 10%

Annual Business Inquiry (Nomis) * 2005 jobs figure for Stirling includes 700 life insurance jobs mis-classified by ABI as being in England instead of Stirling.

Enterprise Figure 5: New Business 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2002-2006 2002-2006

Change % Change Starts Stirling

449

534

460

452

474

25

5.6%

Scotland

18,518

21,468

20,808

21,383

23,468

4,950

26.7%

Source: The Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers

Business Survival Rates

Stirling

Business Density

Stirling

Figure 6: 3 Year Business Survival Rates

Scotland

Figure 7: Number of VAT Registered Businesses per 10,000 Population

Scotland

10

75 70 65 60

1999 2002 Year businesses registered in Source: Small Business Service

STIRLING EYE

Focus on the local economy

500

No. VAT Reg. business per 10,000 population

3 Year Survival Rate - %

80

400 300 200 100 0

2000 2006 Source: VAT Registrations and De-Registrations (Nomis)

VAT Registered Businesses Figure 8: VAT Registered Businesses in 2005 – Percentages based on stock of VAT registered businesses

VAT Registrations VAT De-registrations Stock at start of year

Stirling – Number

Stirling - %

Scotland - %

270 225 3,015

9.0% 7.5% -

9.0% 7.9% -

Source: VAT Registrations and De-Registrations (Nomis)

Industry

Occupational Distribution

Figure 9: Employment by Industrial Sector, Stirling, 2005

Figure 10: Occupational Distribution, Stirling, 2005/06

Employment

by Industrial Sector, %

Occupational Distribution of all those who are in Employment, %

Source: Annual Business Inquiry (Nomis)

Source: Annual Population Survey (Nomis)

Qualifications % of working age population

Figure 11: % of the Working Age Population Qualified to SVQ Level 4+ (or equivalent) and % with No Qualifications 40 35 30

SVQ Level 4+

25

No qualifications

20 15 10 5 0

2000 Stirling 2000 Scotland Source: Labour Force Survey / Annual Population Survey (Nomis)

2005 Stirling

2005 Scotland

Earnings Figure 12: Average Gross Weekly Earnings

Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Residents – Stirling Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Residents – Scotland Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Workers Stirling Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Workers – Scotland

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2002-2006 % Change £329.1 £302.0 £282.2 £302.8

£350.3 £316.5 £287.5 £314.4

£337.4 £323.7 £320.6 £321.3

£323.0 £333.4 £317.2 £330.0

£362.2 £347.2 £334.5 £346.9

10.1% 15.0% 18.5% 14.6%

Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Nomis)

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11

Castle Business Park City of Stirling Business Parks Ltd, a 50/50 joint venture company between Stirling Council and Scarborough Development Group plc, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the completion of the last 2 speculative buildings on Castle Business Park.

These new offices, together with the new Robertson Group’s Headquarters building which is nearing completion, will bring the total area of the Business Park up to 24,000sq m (263,000 sq ft) of high quality modern office space set in 28 acres of attractive landscaping.

Numerous high calibre business occupiers have already chosen to locate in the Park such as HSBC Bank, Maxxium, Gladedale, Hazell Carr together with various government agencies e.g. Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Further Education Unit.

The total number of jobs currently located on the Park is around 1,170 and it is anticipated that this number will be significantly increased as the 3 new buildings become occupied.

The Park is now fully developed and City of Stirling Business Parks are currently planning the successor to Castle Business Park and it is hoped that more information will be available in the next edition of the Stirling Eye!!

Property search facility If you are searching for commercial property and sites then look no further than our on-line property search facility, which has recently benefited from improved search options.

New options include search by size band, town and industrial estate or business/ shopping centre as well as by investment sales and development opportunity. These options allow a more precise search to be undertaken. So if you are intending to expand or relocate in the Stirling area then your initial search should include our on-line search facility at www. stirling.gov.uk/property which can be accessed by clicking on the link to the property search facility. With around 200 properties and sites for business listed in the Stirling area, properties typically range from starter units to large corporate space for business.

To find out more on commercial property opportunities and how we can help you realise your business potential in Stirling please call us on 01786 442472 or e-mail property@stirling.gov.uk

Filming in Stirling 2007

Visit Stirling A new portal for visitors coming to Stirling has been developed following Stirling Council’s recent work on orientation and interpretation. The new web-site provides a gateway to information about the City of Stirling and can be accessed at www.visitstirling. org The website has been funded by the Scottish Executive through the Cities Review Fund.

The City of Stirling portal provides information about events and tourism activities in the Stirling area and provides links to tourism businesses. There is an opportunity for businesses in the Stirling Council area to place a link on the City of Stirling portal to further information about their business activities. If you would like to advertise an event on the portal or place a link to your web-site, please contact Caralin Montgomery-Cichy (Stirling Council) on 01786 442535 or email montgomerycc@stirling.gov.uk

Stirling has recently played host to several film and television production companies.

A new Bank of Scotland commercial was recently filmed and the resulting advert can be seen on ITV at present. Filming took place in various parts of the City Centre, including Broad Street and at the Old Stirling Bridge. A production company from London has also been filming a horror film at Plean Castle over the past month. There are also several other filming projects afoot, which will showcase the fabulous landscape and mix of historic and contemporary elements that make up the Stirling area.

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STIRLING EYE

Focus on the local economy