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Special feature on Raploch Laying the foundations for a sustainable future
Business research and informationHow to find statistics and business information
Gordon Ramsay’s Gala DinnerStars support Spina Bifida charity at Castle event
Business spaceOpportunities at Springkerse
Business profileFalcon Foodservice Equipment
Planning updateApplication for boutique hotel at Spittal Street
0��� �77 7000
Winter �00�/0�
inside this issue...
� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
If you need this information in large print, Braille, audio or in another language please contact 0845 277 7000 and quote reference number 7064.
Cover photo: Local business man and celebrity chef Nick Nairn with Gordon Ramsay - please see article on page 7 for more information. Photo by Peter Sandground.
ContentsLocal business news 3
Sponsors and stars lined up for 7Gordon Ramsay’s Gala Dinner...
Gordon Ramsay’s Christmas Appeal 7 for the Scottish Spina Bifida Assoc.
Business profile: 8Falcon Foodservice Equipment
IT and web training for Stirling 9farmers
Enhancing the evening economy 9
At your service: Licensing 10
Business space developments 12
Planning applications update 13
Stirling’s Winter Festival 13
Commercialise your ideas 13
Special feature - Raploch 14
New college campus for Stirling 17
New initiative to help unemployed 17
Sector feature: Retail 18
30 second interview 20
Interview with Kate Sankey, owner 21 of West Moss-side Organic Farm
Special feature: Research & 22information for businesses
Intercontinental Rally Challenge 24comes to Stirling
Support for local businesses and 25 communities in Rural Forth Valley
BBC Christmas drama filmed on 25location in Stirling
Economic facts 26
Christmas Park & Ride 28 opening times
Forthcoming events/training 28
Welcome
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 ExecutiveEnvironment Services, Economic Strategy & Intelligence, Stirling Council, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET
Tel: 01786 442778 Email: [email protected]: www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Printed on recycled paper.
At a time when the media seems to
bring yet more bad news each day it
is encouraging to see so many local
businesses achieving success. This
edition of Stirling Eye features a
number of those successes and my congratulations to them all.
The economy has been, and still is, the hot topic. At a time
like this it is important that we try to ensure that as much
of the money circulating in the local economy stays in the
local economy. I am pleased to note that local businesses
are gaining business from each other and from the Council’s
agencies. The features on Falcon and the Raploch URC
highlight the good work that has been achieved with local
suppliers.
Our profile on Council services in this edition focuses on
Licensing and the changes that are taking place in that field.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy
and enjoyable Christmas.
Councillor Scott Farmer
Depute Leader of Council and Corporate Resources and
Economy portfolio holder.
�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Local business newsStirling Business Panel update…Stirling’s Business Panel now has over 500 members! If you are not already
a member and would like to join or find out more, please contact Bill Fortune
on 01786 443172, or email [email protected]
The 2008 Annual Business Panel Survey
was sent out to members in October.
The results of the survey will be used to
influence future Council plans and strategy,
particularly where related to businesses and
business needs. If you have not already
returned your survey questionnaire, please
do so before the end of December.
The Stirling Business Panel is broadly
representative of the Stirling business base
with 39 per cent of members from rural
Stirling and 61 per cent from urban areas.
The Panel also represents a broad range
of business sectors and size
bands, allowing the results
of the Business Panel survey
to be used to provide a
representative view of the
Stirling business community.
Please look out for the
results of the 2008 Annual Business Panel
Survey in a future edition of Stirling Eye!
The Business Panel Executive Group has
also been active, with a second meeting
in September. Collette Filippi of the Falkirk
Business Panel presented to the group,
describing progress in
development of the Falkirk Business Panel.
Other topics discussed were procurement,
developing a Panel website and considering
an event for Panel members in early 2009.
www.stirling.gov.uk/businesspanel
Denvir win Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year AwardCongratulations
to Stirling
based Denvir,
the UK’s first
dedicated
brands agency
who won
the National
Business
Awards for
Scotland’s small
to Medium
Sized Business
of the Year in September.
Denvir beat off tough competition in the category, including Mackies
of Scotland, Independent Women, Churchill Drilling Tools and Spurr
Energy.
Denvir’s Managing Director, Suzanne George said: “We are
absolutely thrilled at winning this award! Denvir has grown
considerably in the five years since I set up the company becoming
a £2.5 million turnover company with 30 qualified, experienced
employees based in Scotland, operating UK-wide.”
www.denvirgroup.com
Business awardsStirling Eye is delighted to announce a number of award winning Stirling businesses…
Contract Scotland are awarded Community MarkCongratulations
to Stirling
based Contract
Scotland
who were
awarded their
Community
Mark in July at
a Business in
the Community
Awards Dinner in London.
Contract Scotland is one of only 21 companies in the UK to
achieve the standard, and the only recruitment consultancy. The
Community Mark is awarded to companies that demonstrate a
long-term positive impact on the communities that they serve.
Colin Woodward, Director of Contract Scotland said: “Achieving the
Community Mark is the continuation of our Community activities
which started in 2003 and have so far helped those furthest
removed from the market place into the Scottish Construction
Industry at a time when the skills shortage in the sector has been
most marked. We are justifiably proud of this achievement.”
www.contractscotland.co.uk
� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Local business news
�
Visual revolutionStirling Optical, a family run opticians in the
city centre of Stirling, has become the first in
the area to provide the latest Orthokeratology
(Ortho-k) technology for contact lens wearers.
The revolutionary technology uses a custom-
made lens, which is worn overnight and taken
out during the day. Wearers vision is corrected
throughout the day, without the need to wear
spectacles or contact lenses.
Over forty years ago, opticians discovered that it was possible to use contact lenses to reshape
the cornea and correct the eye’s resolving power. These early lenses were difficult to produce
to a repeatable level and were not a success. With the arrival of precision technology and
gas permeable lenses, the latest developments mean that advanced individual lenses can be
engineered to gently correct your eyesight as you sleep.
The Ortho-k lenses provided by Stirling Optical are manufactured in Scotland by Scotlens and
are a convenient, risk free alternative to laser surgery.
OSTA sold to Snowie’s Adamo HotelsOSTA has been sold to Adamo Hotels just three weeks after being placed on the open
market. The boutique hotel and restaurant is located in the former Bank of Scotland
regional head office in Stirling.
OSTA was sold by Knight Frank on behalf of Morris Inns Group Ltd. David Reid, a partner at
Knight Frank said: “Literally within a few weeks of going on the open market, I had four
sets of buyers seeking to purchase OSTA, which is without doubt one of the most admired
and handsome buildings in Central Scotland.”
Adamo Hotels Chairman Euan Snowie advised: “With the Queens Hotel in Bridge of Allan
just finished refurbishment and with another new hotel in Stirling to open in the near
future, OSTA offered too good an opportunity to miss.”
“I have an excellent management team in place and the obvious synergy of having
another boutique hotel round the corner fits perfectly with my over all expansion plans
for Adamo Hotels. I plan to continue running OSTA in its current format for the next few
months and then I’ll review customer opinions before making any fundamental changes.”
Pet Royale Limited secures Poppyscotland loanDenise Ward, from Stirling, was the
first person to receive a loan through
Poppyscotland’s new loan scheme for small
businesses aimed at ex servicemen and
women in Scotland.
The £3,500 loan has helped Denise get her
pet boarding business, Pet Royale Limited,
off the ground. Denise has used the loan to
purchase vital pet transportation equipment,
create a corporate identity for the business,
to advertise her services and cover the cost
of public and employer’s liability insurance.
Denise served in the Royal Air Force for six
years between 1972 and 1978, making
her eligible for the loan. She also had to
engage with Business Gateway as part of
the conditions of receiving the loan. And
with bookings running well in to next year,
it is safe to say that Pet Royale is off to a
flying start!
Poppyscotland offers veterans wishing to start
-up in business access to loans of up to £7,500
to get their business off the ground and
professional advice and mentoring both pre and
post business start-up. For further information on
Poppyscotland, please phone 0131 557 2782
or visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk
For more information on
Pet Royale Limited, please visit
www.pet-royale.co.uk
�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Local business news
Naughtie Chancellor installed at UniversityDr James Naughtie, one of Britain’s best-
known broadcasters, has succeeded Dame
Diana Rigg as Chancellor of the University
of Stirling.
James was born and educated in
Aberdeenshire and began a career in
journalism in 1975 with the Press and
Journal and wrote for the Scotsman
and Guardian before moving into
broadcasting. Currently, he presents
Today on BBC Radio 4, and is host of the
network’s monthly Bookclub. For the
Today programme, he has travelled to
more than two-dozen countries, and has
written and presented two acclaimed
series on American politics.
James was formally installed as Chancellor
at a ceremony in October, where the
University also awarded honorary degrees
on The Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP, Louise
Martin CBE and Jasminder Singh OBE, in
recognition of their contributions to society.
Distillery contract for Rok Stirling Stirling based Rok has begun work on a project to improve and expand the historic
Cameronbridge distillery. The Cameronbridge distillery first opened in 1823 and is located
on a 20-acre site in Fife. The distillery was the first in the world to produce grain whisky on
a large scale and its current output is used in Diageo blends including Johnnie Walker, J&B
and Bell’s alongside white spirit brands such as Tanqueray, Gordon’s Gin and Smirnoff Vodka.
Willie Boyce, project manager for Rok Stirling, said: “Cameronbridge has a capacity to
produce 66 million litres of alcohol each year. Diageo, the owners and operators of the
site have plans to increase annual output to around 100 million litres and we are working
on expanding the facilities and infrastructure to facilitate this growth.”
www.rokgroup.com
The Titan Crane, Clydebank
Stirling companies help to secure prestigious awardsThe skills and expertise of two local companies, Eastfield Engineering and Rok,
have helped to secure prestigious awards for Gleneagles and the Titan Crane.
Eastfield Engineering help complete Titan rebuildFallin based Eastfield Engineering provided
specialist-riveting expertise as part of the £3
million rebuild of the A-listed Titan Crane in
Clydebank. The completed Titan Crane and
Visitors Centre recently won an International
Award for Architecture, organised by the
Chicago Athenaeum Museum.
The Titan Crane was one of only 14 projects
from the UK to be given the award, in
recognition of its iconic status as a symbol
of the Clyde’s industrial heritage, and as a
catalyst for the current regeneration of the
Clydebank waterfront, the former location of
the Clydebank shipyards.
John Davidson of Eastfield Engineering said,
“It was a privilege to work on the restoration
of the Titan Crane as it is a great landmark
on the Clyde. Our involvement was to
supply and fit pot headed rivets to bring
back the original structure of the Titan Crane”.
www.eastfieldengineering.co.uk
To find out more about Titan and
regeneration of the Clydebank Waterfront,
please visit www.titanclydebank.co.uk
DiD you know?
The Titan crane assisted in the building of many famous ships including The Lusitania, The Queen Mary and the QE2. Standing 150 feet above ground level, Titan is still the most prominent and recognisable object on the Clydebank skyline.
Gleneagles Spa wins awardRok’s building and maintenance team in
Stirling is celebrating after two prestigious
awards were presented to a world-renowned
venue it completed earlier in the year.
The Spa at Gleneagles by ESPA, part of the
AA Five Red Star resort in Perthshire, has
been awarded the prestigious Condè Nast
Readers’ Award for favourite UK Hotel Spa
as well as the British Beauty Award for Hotel
Destination Spa of the Year. The spa opened
in March, following Rok’s work on building
and fitting out the luxury facility.
John Smith, Senior Site Manager for Rok
said: “We are thrilled that the spa is
receiving the praise it duly deserves and
these awards recognise the hard work and
dedication of all involved.”
www.rokgroup.com
Gleneagles Spa
Business welcome…Recently Stirling has welcomed various
businesses and business start ups
to commercial premises in the area,
including:
Amaryllis FlowersA new business offering full floristry
services. The business is located in McLaren
Terrace, St Ninians.
www.amaryllisflowers.co.uk
Bill CrusadersA new business offering membership
services to residents, helping them save
on gas and electricity bills and more. Bill
Crusaders’ call centre opened in King Street,
Stirling in November.
www.billcrusaders.com
BaressensualsA new lingerie boutique specialising in
bra fitting for women post breast surgery
– please see www.baressensuals.com for
further information on events. The business
is based in Henderson Street, Bridge of
Allan.
BPM ClothingBPM Clothing is a new men’s fashion
retailer. The business opened in October
and is located in the Stirling Arcade.
Tel: 01786 460310
Fleurtations & TemptationsFluertations & Temptations, formerly of
Kildean Market has now moved to Back
O’Hill Industrial Estate, Stirling. The business
is a specialist florist and recently expanded
to include sale of gifts.
www.fleurtationsandtemptations.co.uk
Pots and Pans WarehousePots and Pans recently relocated
from King’s Street to the Thistles
Centre. The shop specialises in the
sale of specialist cookware.
www.pots-and-pans.co.uk
Refinish LimitedA new business start-up specialising
in minor car cosmetic body
repairs. Refinish Limited opened in
September 2008 and is located in
Broadleys Business Park.
www.refinish.ltd.uk
Shenanegans CraftsA new business providing a range of craft
materials and childrens toys. Shenanegans
Crafts opened in September and is located
on the High Street, Dunblane.
Tel: 01786 826975
Spotlight TVA new business specialising in dedicated
broadband TV channels for business.
Spotlight TV was started up in July this year
and is located in the Alpha Centre, Stirling
University Innovation Park.
www.spotlighttv.tv
Stirling BagpipesA new business specialising in bag pipe
manufacture, restoration and retailing.
The business will open in December and
is located on Broad Street, opposite the
Tolbooth.
www.stirlingbagpipes.com
Thomsons CoffeeA new shop specialising in roasted coffees
and tea blends. The shop recently opened
and is located on Broad Street.
www.thomsons-coffee.com
A Wee SweetieA new business specialising in the sale of
traditional sweets and candies. The shop is
located in the Stirling Arcade.
Tel: 01786 445599
If you have recently set up a business in the Stirling Council area and would like a mention in Stirling Eye or would like to
report a business news story, please contact Joëlle Russell on 01786 442778 or email [email protected]
**STOP PRESS** As Stirling Eye went to
print, Janie reported that she was in process
of opening a new chocolate shop next to
her existing shop (A Wee Sweetie) in the
Stirling Arcade. The chocolate shop will be
open by December.
YouthA new shop specialising in sale of branded
clothing for teenagers. The shop opened in
August and is located in Friars Street.
Tel: 01786 446583
Zingerman’s Bar & GrillA new restaurant and bar located on Port Street,
Stirling. Zingerman’s opened in June 2008.
www.zingermans.co.uk
� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Local business news
Stirling researcher named in world top fifty
A Wee Sweetie shop, Stirling Arcade
A senior researcher at the
University of Stirling has
been named by an American
magazine as one of the most
influential people in the
world in his field.
Professor Rory O’Neill, who
is Honorary Professor in the
University’s Occupational and
Environmental Health Research
Group, has been selected in
a global list of the 50 most
influential environmental
health and safety leaders.
He said: “I am delighted to
have this recognition, which
will help to keep our work in
the public eye. Occupational
health and safety needs far
more attention - market driven
deregulatory approaches have
left workers less secure and
less content at work. Unless we
act now to deliver better, more
satisfying jobs we’ll see new
epidemics of work related heart
disease,
suicide and
stroke.”
The survey
was conducted by Occupational
Hazards magazine, an American
business magazine which
serves the occupational safety
and industrial hygiene market.
7www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
This Christmas Gordon Ramsay is appealing to the business community to help support The
Scottish Spina Bifida Association.
Rather than buy your clients and colleagues expensive or unwanted Christmas presents, Gordon Ramsay
is asking people to make a donation to the Charity instead. “In these tough financial times why not just
have a simple Christmas collection and know that whatever
you give will help over 3000 children, young people
and families all over Scotland who are affected by spina
bifida and hydrocephalus. Most of those born with these
conditions will have lifelong disabilities. They really need
your help. Do something special this Christmas; support the
Scottish Spina Bifida Association.”
How to support:Donations can be made via the Scottish Spina Bifida
Associations website at www.ssba.org.uk, over the phone
with a visa, delta, master or switch card on
01236 794505 or can be sent
to the Charity at their Family
Support Centre at The Dan
Young Building, 6 Craighalbert
Way, Cumbernauld, G68 0LS.
Gordon Ramsay’s Christmas Appeal for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association
DiD you know?
SSBA was founded in Glasgow in 1965 by a group of parents. 40 years on, The SSBA provide the only specialist Family Support Service in Scotland.
In 2006 Gordon Ramsay OBE, the charity’s Honorary Patron, officially opened the Scottish Spina Bifida Association’s purpose built family support centre in Cumbernauld.
Sponsors and stars lined up forGordon Ramsay’s Gala Dinner...The Scottish Spina Bifida Association, who staged Gordon Ramsay’s All Hallow’s Eve Gala Dinner at Stirling Castle on Thursday 30th October 2008, raised a staggering £100,000 with a little help from Prudential, the Stirling based Life and Pension provider, who was the main sponsor of this dazzling red carpet event.
Gordon Ramsay OBE, the
Charity’s Patron, hosted the
event and was joined by actor
and West End star, John Gordon
Sinclair; who introduced the
guests to Stirling Castles ghostly
past. Janet Street-Porter, often
dubbed as Gordon’s worst
nightmare; was the after
dinner speaker. Direct from the
critically acclaimed Broadway
revival of Les Miserables was
John Owen Jones, legendary
star of the West Ends’ Phantom
of the Opera; who performed
showstoppers from West End
musicals.
An excited Gordon Ramsay said,
“I am really pleased Prudential
supported the Association, it is
such an important Scottish Charity,
I cannot thank them enough.”
He continued, “The dinner
was attended by leading
personalities from Britain’s
business and media
communities. Once the guests
entered the castle the gates
were shut behind them and
they found themselves in one
of the most spectacular settings
in the world sumptuously and
dramatically dressed in damson
and black, by 88 Events,
Scotland’s leading specialist
Events company who were also
sponsoring the event.”
He added, “Guests sipped
champagne in the Chapel Royal
and then joined me in the historic
Great Hall and experienced the
ultimate Ramsay Nightmare as
I hosted an exciting evening
of world class entertainment
to celebrate the most haunted
night of the year.”
Deborah Roe, Head of Fundraising
for the Scottish Spina Bifida
Association said, “We are
delighted that Prudential
sponsored Gordon Ramsay‘s
Gala Dinner despite all the
financial headlines and warnings
of credit crunch nightmares.”
She continued, “With Prudential’s
help we raised vital funds for the
Charity; every year we require to
raise over £500,000 to run the
Family Support Centre and its
services, for which we receive
only 10% statutory funding.”
Andy Curran, UK Sales Director at Prudential said, “Participating actively in the community is important and
we are pleased that our involvement
has helped the Scottish Spina Bifida
Association raise much needed funding
for its activities.”
� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Business profile Falcon Foodservice Equipment
Falcon is the UK’s leading manufacturer of commercial catering equipment
and is part of Ali SpA, Europe’s largest foodservice group.
They were established over 150 years ago in
Falkirk and now have 250 staff and an annual
turnover of £25 million.
The business relocated in 2003 to a 132,000 sq
ft factory at Wallace View, Stirling that allowed
the company to focus on ‘clean’ manufacturing processes. The
facilities include an on-site Brand Technical Centre that hosts an R&D
laboratory, development kitchen and a state of the art design office.
Customers range from public sector clients such as schools, prisons
and hospitals to restaurants, hotels and gastropubs within the private
sector. Recent projects include the supply of kitchens for the new
Wallace High, Stirling and St Modan’s secondary schools!
Foodservice equipmentStandard products account for 50 per cent of production, such as the
Dominator six-burner range described as the
‘BiC pen’ of the catering world. The other
half is based upon specialist products such
as wok cookers and individual designs for
top kitchens – including the design and
manufacture of Bespoke Cooking Suites for
the Champany Inn near Linlithgow and the
St Andrews Links Club House.
Falcon has also recently supplied
bespoke catering units for eight
T45 Royal Navy destroyers. The
units were so big that after
leaving Stirling on pallets, the
exterior of the ships had to be
built round about the units!
Flexible specialisationThe specialist products such as the wok cooker are built from start to
finish by one person within their own individual operating cell.
Standard products on the other hand, are line assembled. The units
are passed down an assembly line with components added at each
station to create the finished product.
David Wilson, Engineering Manager said, “We pride ourselves on
flexible specialisation, with workers being able to move easily from
one production line to another.”
� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Moving with the timesFalcon was among the first
equipment suppliers to be
awarded the prestigious
environmental ISO14001
certification.
David Wilson said, “We have
worked hard to achieve this
accreditation, working with Envirowise
and the Carbon Trust to increase energy
efficiency. The Carbon Trust sent out
a locally based energy consultant to
review our operations, and on the back
of his recommendations, we invested
around £100,000 in energy efficient lighting and
exterior light sensors. We also had a new heating system installed by
Stirling based Mac Heating and expect to achieve pay back from
investments within two to three years.”
Part of adapting to changes in customer demand has involved
investment in research and development. The company invests
continually – in technology, training and staff.
Never too big to learnLooking to the future, David reported that Falcon is looking to
integrate more of their management systems, and will use a newly
purchased CAD system to help them develop products faster.
He added, “You are never too big to learn. Manufacturing is tough,
but we stay competitive by adapting to change. By continually
improving products, we help clients such as the NHS meet energy
and operating targets.”
“We are also involved with the Government backed Onsite Insight
programme, which is aimed at helping businesses learn from one
another. So far we have been on a number of field trips visiting other
manufacturers, including Mitsubishi in Livingston and Stirling based
United Closures and Plastics.”
ContactTo find out more about Falcon Foodservice Equipment or how
they achieved ISO 14001 accreditation, please contact Barry Hill,
Group Marketing Manager, on 01786 455227, email
[email protected] or visit www.falconfoodservice.com
Stirling Eye randomly selects a business to profile each quarter using the Council’s business database.
T45 Destroyer
�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
IT and web training for Stirling farmersStirling Enterprise (STEP) has been
given the green light by the Scottish
Government to deliver a year-long IT and Web Outreach initiative,
aimed specifically at farmers in the Forth Valley area.
The local enterprise trust, who also deliver Business Gateway
services in the Stirling District area, has secured £18,450 of funding
from the Skills Development Scheme (SDS) which falls under the
Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) umbrella.
STEP itself will contribute a percentage to the total running cost of
the programme, with participants contributing a small nominal fee
to secure a workshop place.
The first of the mobile workshops hit the road in late November in
Drymen, equipping local farmers and their families with the IT know-
how and web provision to access and negotiate the SRDP website
and confidently tackle the on-line application process.
Further outreach workshops will allow local farmers access to two-
hours worth of IT and Broadband provision and an IT professional.
The workshops will be held in local hotels in the Stirling,
Clackmannan and Falkirk areas in an evening format and participants
will have the option of a one-hour individual follow-up support
session to consolidate or refresh their knowledge.
Caroline Brown, Rural & Farm Support Officer for Stirling Enterprise
(STEP) commented:
“We are delighted to have secured this funding and are keen to get
out on the road and meet with local farmers and start delivering
the training as opposed to talking about it. Through our Business
Gateway activity, we already have good links with farm businesses
in the area and we have been working closely with NFU Scotland
and SAC to extend and develop that.”
Dates of SRDP workshops: l 28th January 2009, 7-9pm at the Harviestoun Hotel, Tillicoultry.
l 26th February 2009, 7-9pm at Glenskirlie House, Banknock.
l 25th March 2009, 7-9pm at the Bridge of Lochay Hotel, Killin.
To find out more about outreach workshop dates and venues,
please contact Caroline Brown, Rural & Farm Support Officer on
01786 463416 or email [email protected]
Enhancingthe eveningeconomyAs reported in the last edition of
Stirling Eye, Stirling’s Community
Safety Partnership is driving
forward a range of evening
economy projects. The projects
have been brought together in the
form of a City Centre Night-time Economy Action Plan.
Andy Kennedy, Stirling City Centre Initiative Manager, said, “Work on
two of the new projects – ‘Safe Base ‘08’ and ‘Enhanced public transport
provision’ – is at the final planning stage and other projects are already
being delivered. The key focus of all project activity is to increase community
safety and bring additional economic benefit to the city centre.”
Project activities include:
l Best Bar None 2008 – nine city centre licensed premises have
submitted applications – awards were due to be made as Stirling Eye
went to print, so a full update will be provided in the Spring Edition.
l CCTV camera replacement programme – six new CCTV cameras
have been installed to monitor the busiest pedestrian routes of the
night-time economy.
l Enhanced lighting – ‘white’ lighting has been installed on the
same routes as the CCTV cameras – this coordinated approach will
enhance personal and community safety.
l Safe Base ’08 – this facility utilises specialist personnel and offers
support to vulnerable individuals (e.g. individuals who have
consumed excessive levels of alcohol, single lone females, etc.).
The pilot project will operate on key festive nights from ‘The
Basement’, on the Back Walk until late December 2008.
l Enhanced Transport Provision
– based on the findings of
research undertaken by an
independent consultant
and work done with young
people through Stirling
Council Youth Services, it
was highlighted that the
public would use buses
if later services were run
and appropriate safety
measures put in place.
First Bus has responded
by providing additional
services at key times.
Evaluation criteria will be
put in place to assess the
effectiveness of each of the projects.
Pictured from Left to Right: James Cuthbertson from Gartentruach Farm, Buchlyvie; Colin Clark, IT & Web Advisor, Stirling Enterprise (STEP); Jim Fraser, Business Gateway Advisor; Caroline Brown, Rural & Farm Support Officer
10 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
At your service Licensing
WhAT iS LiCENSiNG?Stirling Council is responsible for issuing a wide variety of licences. This legislation is in place to ensure the safety and welfare of the community.
Do you comply with the new liquor licensing system?Stirling Licensing Board is gearing up for
the biggest change to the liquor licensing
system in over a quarter of a century.
We are currently half way through a
transition period before the new licences
come in to effect on 1 September 2009. All
businesses must be issued with the new
licence before this date. Anyone with a
current liquor licence must apply to have that
licence converted into a new premises licence.
What are the changes?
Previously, businesses have been trading
with liquor licences under the Licensing
(Scotland) Act 1976. This Act has seven
types of licence for different businesses, for
example, public houses, hotels etc. Under
the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, the liquor
licence will be the same regardless of the
nature of the business. This new licence will
be called a premises licence.
The Licensing objectives of the new act
are to prevent crime, disorder and public
nuisance, to secure public safety, protect
and improve public health and to protect
children from harm.
Each premises licence must also have a
designated premises manger who holds a
personal licence. The premises manager
must go through a certified training course
to be granted a personal licence.
Liquor licences are dealt with by Stirling
Licensing Board. This board is made up of
eight elected members and meets four times
each year. Other licences are dealt with by
the Council’s Regulatory Functions Panel.
The licensing section provide advice and
assistance on the wide variety of licences
required by business and are always happy
to help if you have a specific licensing
enquiry. The Licensing Section is based in
Municipal Buildings, Corn Exchange Road,
Stirling and opens between the hours of
9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Contact
[email protected] or telephone
01786 432294.
Activities that require a licence...
Nicy-Tams Bar & Bothy
Alcohol - See ‘Liquor’.
Approved Ceremony Venue - To use
premises for Civil Weddings, Partnerships,
naming and renewing vows.
Betting and Gambling - Premises
licenses for betting, bingo and gaming
machine permits.
Cinemas - To use premises for film
exhibitions.
Firework Displays - Licence required for
firework displays.
Game - Licences required to deal in Game
and also to kill the game.
hypnotism - See Public Entertainment
Licence.
Late hours Catering Licence - To
sell meals / refreshments to the public
between 11pm and 5am.
Liquor - Any sale of alcohol requires a
licence. Various licenses depending on
your business.
Lotteries, Raffles - Registration of
non-commercial society, Lotteries, Raffles,
small fund raising facilities.
Market Operator’s Licence - For the
sale of goods offered by more than one
seller on any private market.
Metal Dealer’s Licence - To buy and
sell scrap metal.
Methylated Spirits - To allow sale of
Methylated Spirits and Surgical Spirit.
Private hire - See ‘Taxis’.
Public Entertainment Licence - Required for halls, discotheques,
proprietary clubs, barns, marquees,
swimming pools etc while being used for
any public entertainment function.
Public Charitable Collections - For any
Street or House-to-House Collections.
Public Procession - To hold a public
procession.
Second hand Dealer Licence - Dealer
in second hand goods or articles of any
description.
Street Trader Licence - Required to
carry out street trading in any public place.
This includes trading from a vehicle, a
kiosk or moveable stall, e.g., Ice Cream
Vans etc.
Tattoos and Skin Piercing - Required
by any business which involves
Acupuncture, Cosmetic Skin Piercing and
Electrolysis or Tattooing.
TaxisTaxi Vehicle Licence - Vehicles that can ply
for hire in the street.
Private Hire Vehicles - Vehicles cannot ply
for hire in the street.
Taxi Driver Licence - Able to drive both
taxi and private hire vehicles.
Private Hire Driver Licence - Able to drive
a private hire vehicle only.
Temporary Public Entertainment - This licence is required when an activity
or event will last for a period of one day
to six weeks, for example, funfairs, Shows,
Fun days, Circuses etc.
Theatres - To use Premises for the
performance of plays.
Venison Dealer - A licence is required by
anyone who deals in venison.
Wheelie Bin Washing Service - Washing of wheelie bins (classed as street
trading).
Window Cleaner - A licence for this
activity is required when carrying out the
trade of, or being employed as, a window
cleaner.
11www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Licensing At your service
Temporary Licensing Team Leader
PROFILE
Name: Stephanie Gibson
Role: Processing licensing applications and providing advice
and information to members of the public on all aspects of
licensing.
Key areas of expertise: Stephanie provides friendly,
impartial advice to businesses, public and licence holders on all
aspects of the licensing service, licensing laws and procedures.
She helps to protect the interests of local consumers and
businesses by ensuring businesses comply with the relevant
licensing laws.
Current workload: Currently Stephanie is dealing with
all of the applications for the new premises licence (see liquor
licensing article). At the moment there are 96 applications
being processed.
Stephanie must ensure that all applications are dealt with in the
timescale allocated by the relevant act and prepares agendas
and reports for submission to the Licensing Board and the
Regulatory Functions Panel who approve licence applications.
The team also deal with complaints regarding noise from licensed
premises. These complaints are referred to the noise team
within the Council for investigation. However, the licence holder
is also made aware of the complaint so that they can provide a
response and work together with the Council to resolve the issue.
Complaints regarding un-licensed window cleaners and street
traders are passed on to the police as they enforce all licences.
It is important to investigate un-licensed traders to protect
the public and also to protect legitimate licensed traders from
competitors who fail to comply with legislation.
Name of company: DR Taxi’s
Stirling Eye caught up with Jim
Hughes, Managing Director of DR
Taxis, to find out more about his
recent expansion and application
for more vehicle licences.
Jim originally set up DR Taxis in 2004. The business started with
one taxi and through Jim’s commitment to provide a superior
level of customer service and professionalism took off rather
quickly through word of mouth recommendations.
Within the first year Jim added another two vehicles to the fleet
to cope with growing demand and has added new vehicles every
year since.
Earlier this year the company expanded again and now provide
everything from 4 seat to 8 seat executive vehicles including
wheelchair access vehicles.
Licensing laws state that both the vehicles and the drivers
require separate licences. Drivers are responsible for obtaining
their own licences and the company is responsible for obtaining
the relevant licences for each individual vehicle.
Having worked with the licensing department closely over the
past four years, Jim knows the licensing system. However, with
changes to licensing acts and different local regulations being
brought in from time to time, it can prove to be a confusing
process.
Jim said, “The licensing department provide friendly, professional
service and over the years I have built up a very good rapport
with the staff. Although they are always very busy, it is
reassuring that they are always available and happy to advise
and help me with any problems.”
The issuing of licences can take around six weeks to process,
so Jim had to apply for additional licences well in advance of
operating new vehicles. Once all licences had been approved
by Stirling Council and processed by the licensing department,
Jim was able to provide additional vehicles to serve his growing
number of customers.
Jim said “ The licensing department has been instrumental in
helping us to expand our company over the years and we will
continue to listen and take advice from them on our future
development plans.”
DiD you know?
Since it became legal to marry anywhere with a temporary approved venue licence, there have been some interesting venues for wedding ceremonies, such as: the Summit of Ben Lui, Trossachs Trout Farm and the War Memorial at the base of Ben Lomond.
Licensing case study
DiD you know?
DR Taxis is the only taxi company in Stirling to have credit card machines fitted in every vehicle, making it even more convenient for customers to pay.
1� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Artist’s impression
of new Stirling
Agricultural Centre
The rural area is also benefiting from a new feature development on a
site extending to around 21 hectares (52 acres).
Situated close to junction 10 of the M9 motorway the development known as the Stirling
Agricultural Centre will be the principal auction mart for Central Scotland as well as the new
headquarters for United Auctions.
The development by Elphinstone Land Limited will provide opportunities for agricultural and
service operators or companies associated with the agricultural industry.
Extending to around 18,580 sq m (200,000 sq ft) the development includes a new agricultural
centre, retail and office space, restaurant /café as well as extensive car parking facilities.
Aimed at agricultural related uses the retail units on the ground floor extend from around
199 sq m (2,139 sq ft) to 644 sq m (6,928 sq ft) with first floor office suites from around
141 sq m (1,522 sq ft) to 642 sq m (6,906 sq ft). Space is being promoted for lease at
rental of £161/ sq m (£15.00/ sq ft) for retail and £135/sq m (£12.50/ sq ft) for office.
Already well underway the Centre is scheduled for completion Summer 2009.
For further information please contact Stephen Gunn or Ewan Mackay of agents SGM on
0141 285 7940 or email [email protected] or [email protected] .
Stirling Agricultural Centre
Business space developments
Whitehouse Road, Springkerse
New developments on Whitehouse Road,
Springkerse will provide more than 3,270 sq
m (35,230 sq ft) of much needed industrial
space for a range of potential occupiers.
The first development at 22 Whitehouse
Road will provide 6 units each of around 120
sq m (1,292 sq ft), which can accommodate
requirements up to 600 sq m (6,460 sq ft).
Local builders Zanart Ltd are developing the
site. Zanart Ltd intend to occupy one unit
themselves with the remaining space for
lease on flexible terms or for sale. Rental of
£70/ sq m (£6.50/ sq ft) is currently being
quoted.
Springkerse Industrial Estate, Stirling The amount of industrial property available to rent or buy in Stirling continues to be low in
comparison with the Scottish average. This shortage is driving a number of speculative new-build industrial developments within
Stirling, including sites in Springkerse Industrial Estate, Stirling’s largest industrial location.
New development at 22 Whitehouse Road under construction
Another development at 12 Whitehouse
Road will provide 15 units with sizes ranging
from around 235 sq m (2,530 sq ft) to 242
sq m (2,605 sq ft). The 0.78-hectare (1.93
acre) site will provide around 2,553 sq m
(27,480 sq ft) of space in total.
It is anticipated that rental over £65/ sq m
(£6.00/sq ft) will be quoted depending on
development timescales.
Borrowmeadow Road, Springkerse
There are also proposals being
developed for a new business campus at
Borrowmeadow Road, Springkerse.
Initial proposals include detached two and
three storey office buildings with space from
around 350 sq m (3,750 sq ft) to 2,408 sq
m (25,764 sq ft) within a prominent 0.92
hectare (2.28 acre) site. The development
will include some managed office space
with shared services (reception, broadband,
telephone etc.) and also some detached
suites.
John Quinn of Bluewater Scotland LLP
confirmed, “Although proposals are at an
early stage with discussions ongoing, I hope
that an Innovation Park/Sports associated
business campus development will be
advanced some time next year.”
Further details and artist’s impressions will
appear in a future edition of Stirling Eye
and more information can be obtained at
this stage from John Quinn of Bluewater
Scotland LLP on 01786 832440, mobile
07876 658980, or email john.quinn@
bluewaterscotland.co.uk .
The letting agents for both developments
are J&E Shepherd. Surveyor Sandy Falconer
said, “Despite the present difficult economic
climate, competitively priced new light
industrial space within Springkerse demonstrates
industrial space opportunities for business as
well as continued investment and confidence
in the local marketplace in Stirling.”
For more information on space within
these developments please contact Sandy
Falconer, J&E Shepherd on 01786 450438,
mobile 07818 002170, or email sandy.
1�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Planning applications updateA number of planning applications with
a significant business focus have been
submitted to Stirling Council since the last
edition of Stirling Eye (September) and are
still being considered, pending a decision.
These include:
l An application by Glenbervie House Hotel
Ltd to change the use of a building at 33
Spittal Street, Stirling to a hotel with
extensions to house leisure facilities and
ancillary accommodation (3,672 sq m hotel).
l An application by KW Properties for the
renewal of outline planning permission
for a hotel with 18 hole golf course and
clubhouse, public footpath/cycleway,
construction of access road and new
junction (110 hectares golf course) on land
at Park of Keir, Dunblane.
l An application by Wordie Properties for a
six storey hotel development with ancillary
bar and restaurant, including servicing
access and landscape details (6,492 sq m)
Planning schedules can be viewed at www.stirling.gov.uk/planningschedule
on land and property at 14-16 and former
toilets, Dumbarton Road East, Stirling.
l An application by Kippendavie Group
Trust for the development of an 18
hole golf course with club house, car
parking, open air practice facilities
(renewal of permission under Article
5 of General Permitted Order 1992)
(98 hectares golf course) on land at
Kippendavie, Ramsay Drive, Dunblane.
Commercialise your ideasScotland has long had an excellent track record for producing new and innovative ideas but it is the
commercialisation of these ideas where we have fallen down in the past. However, one Scottish agency has
been working hard to change this scenario and maximize the potential of Scotland’s intellectual property.
The Innovator’s Counselling and Advisory
Service for Scotland (ICASS) is a Scottish
Government initiative which helps to
commercially exploit Scotland’s intellectual
capital by protecting intellectual property
and seeking routes to market.
Delivered by one of Britain’s largest and
most successful enterprise trusts The GO
Group, ICASS provides specialist counselling
and advice for Scotland’s inventors and
small innovative companies. The service
is free and completely confidential and
innovators can get advice on how to develop
their ideas into actual products and processes.
One local businessman to have benefited
is Gordon McKenzie who has invented a
unique product called RampRidge™. Fitted
in minutes, the RampRidge™ is a clever,
quick and effective patented solution to the
problems associated with wheelchair access
over UPVC doors. Gordon’s product has really
taken off and he said, “It was my local
advisor Bob Williamson who first directed
me to the Patent Office and gave me helpful
information about how to get started
and safeguard my intellectual property. I
have found the information and direction
provided by ICASS invaluable.”
The ICASS service is available throughout
Scotland, through its network of Advisors
who hold regular surgeries.
Visit www.icass.co.uk for more
information or contact Bob Williamson on
07714 411829.
Stirling’s Winter FestivalStirling’s Winter Festival kicked off on 22nd November with a visit from Santa and his reindeer!
The Thistles Santa and his real reindeer paraded their way from the Corn Exchange, down King
Street, to a pen outside Costa Coffee. Santa was accompanied on the festive procession by the
cast of Mother Goose, the Christmas pantomime being shown at the macrobert.
In the lead up to Christmas, Santa will be located in a brand new magical grotto in the Thistles,
beside HMV.
Stirling’s Winter Festival continues through December and wraps up with the Stirling
Hogmanay festivities. To find out more about Stirling’s Winter Festival and Hogmanay
celebrations, look out for the Winter Festival leaflet available from the Thistles Shopping
Centre, Stirling Council libraries, the Albert Hall, the Tolbooth, the macrobert and other venues.
www.stirling.gov.uk/property
1� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Special feature - Raploch
Old schools provide foundations for new Raploch This Summer Raploch URC knocked down four old school buildings to make
way for some of the 900 new homes being built in the regeneration.
RAPLOCh: talking about regenerationRaploch’s ten-year £120M transformation into a 21st century community is bringing
increased opportunity, employment and choice to its proud residents.
In 2004 Raploch was awarded Urban Regeneration pathfinder status by the
Scottish Government. Two years later the Raploch Urban Regeneration
Company (URC) was established to drive forward the
regeneration and in that short period of time progress
has been both skilful and rapid.
Key to its success is the URC’s close relationship
with local people and its focus on strong community
involvement. Locals have been involved in the decision-
making process, as the regeneration has progressed.
The URC hope that Raploch will eventually share in the prosperity and
economic activity witnessed by the rest of Stirling and just two years into the
regeneration process it is clear this challenging goal will one day be a reality.
However, despite the great successes already achieved, the URC continues to look to the future and
the Raploch it envisages for residents. This includes its aims to grow house prices in the area from an average
£28,000 to £178,000, double the percentage of owner occupiers to 40% and significantly reduce crime levels by 2017.
Recently appointed Chair of Raploch URC, Dr Campbell Christie CBE, said: “It’s a tremendously exciting time for Raploch and we’re all
committed to ensuring a bright future for all generations of the community.”
The URC teamed up with Stirling Council,
Stirling Council Corporate Asset Management
and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action
Programme) to ensure materials from the
demolitions were recycled and reused
– with estimated savings of up to £60,000.
A spokesman for Raploch URC said: “This
underlines the URC’s commitment to both
value for money and sustainable practices.
“We believe this removed around 500
vehicle movements, negating roughly 15
tonnes of carbon emissions, not to mention
a financial saving in terms of fuel.
“Companies tendering for the contract had
to assess the likely demolition arisings
by undertaking pre-demolition audits as
well as costing approaches, which will
provide the URC with a stockpile of recycled
materials for future use on the new housing
developments and for road capping
layers.”
The URC adopted the principals of
the approach for efficient use of
materials in regeneration projects, published
by WRAP. Presented as a good practice
step-by-step guide, it draws together the
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Demolition
Protocol, site waste management planning
and increasing recycled content, into one
clear and common approach that links
the demolition and new-build phases of
regeneration projects.
A demolition recovery index of 90% was
estimated by carrying out an audit of total
tonnage of materials against potentially
recoverable tonnage of material. Its
calculation was a condition of the tendering
process and it was estimated a cost saving
of between £37,500 and £60,000 could be
achieved.
Dave Marsh, Construction Project Manager
at WRAP said: “Using the Regeneration
Guide approach from the early stages of a
project can ensure that benefits and savings
are embedded in that project. Its use at
Raploch has demonstrated that linking the
demolition and build phases ensures the
most efficient use of the existing materials
on site – this minimises waste to landfill,
gives financial savings, and reduces the
carbon impact. I hope this will encourage
other regeneration projects to adopt the
Regeneration Guide approach to realise
similar benefits.”
1�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Raploch - Special featurewww.raploch.com
Real benefits for the communityFaced with a high proportion of unemployed people (45%), the Raploch area had a major problem.
Sustainable Community Enterprise offered
one solution to address this and in just two
years of providing training opportunities
to locals it has seen more than
60 of them go into full-time
employment.
The project provides construction and
horticulture training and is unique in that
it strives to ensure job opportunities go to
local people. Developed over a number of
years Sustainable Community Enterprise
is now an accredited Learndirect Scotland
Centre and delivers SQA qualifications.
One successful trainee who has first-hand
knowledge of its benefits is Chris Kotrys.
Chris fought back from redundancy to bag
the title of Career Changer of the Year at
Learndirect Scotland’s Celebration of
Learning awards 2008.
After seeing an advert for the
Sustainable Community Enterprise
in a local newspaper Chris wasted no
time in applying for training and soon
had an SVQ Level 2 in Construction and
a full-time job under his belt.
Chris said: “I want local people to open
their eyes to this wonderful opportunity
which is right under their noses. I’ve
recommended the Sustainable Community
Enterprise to all of my friends. It’s free and
I’ve walked away with invaluable training, a
qualification and a job at the end of it. They
even said that if I was stuck in the future
then I should just give them a call.”
Nicole DeBrincat, Development Manager
for the Raploch Sustainable Community
Enterprise, said: “This is a great success
for Chris and the Sustainable Community
Enterprise and we are sure it is just the start
of a very bright future for him. We want
more people to follow Chris’ example and
be aware of the real opportunities training
with us can bring.”
The Sustainable Community Enterprise
now also provides customised training to
employers and their staff and to individuals
seeking to buy their own training, such as
first aid or manual handling, which can be
provided on a single day basis. This training
is available both to local companies and
to firms across Scotland and helps position
Sustainable Community Enterprise as a new
learning centre for Stirling.
The Raploch Sustainable Community
Enterprise can be contacted on
01786 465 825.
John Hendry, Raploch URC Vice Chair and Campbell Christie, new Chair of Raploch URC
DiD you know?
Chair of Raploch URC, Dr Campbell Christie’s impressive CV includes his work as general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Chair of British Waterways Scotland, and vice chair of the British Waterways National Board. Dr Christie will head a newly-shaped board of directors of the URC to guide the area’s regeneration efforts.
DiD you know?
Stirling Bridge, the site where William Wallace and Andrew Moray defeated King Edwards’ army in 1297, forms a major part of the Raploch walkway development along the River Forth.
DiD you know?
The Regeneration Agreement includes a 28-day Priority Purchase Scheme to ensure that the local people have the first opportunity to purchase a new home before they are made available on the open market.
1� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
The Raploch community benefits from regenerationAnother innovative feature of the Raploch
regeneration is the Community Benefits in
Procurement (CBiP) clause. This is written
into the legal agreements with both
housing developer R3 and roads contractor
RJ McLeod to ensure that employment
and training opportunities are created as a
direct result of the regeneration. A pilot for
the Scottish Government, it has since been
hailed by Finance and Sustainable Growth
Secretary John Swinney MSP as a best
practice case study.
This clause also benefits Sustainable
Community Enterprise trainees by providing
practical work experience as part of their
training programme, which can, and does
lead to employment.
As part of R3’s commitment to CBiP, they
will provide 225 employment and training
opportunities through the housing element
of the regeneration, managed by the
dedicated staff in the Recruitment Office of
the Resource Centre.
Suzanne Granger, R3 project manager adds
“R3 has built the new Raploch Resource
Centre in the heart of the community to
ensure that all local people can access
general information regarding the
regeneration project and also register
with the Recruitment Office, in order to
be considered for fantastic training and
employment opportunities.”
Another element of the CBiP clause is for
R3 to ‘open the doors’ to allow Stirling-
based businesses the opportunity to tender
for sub-contracting work. To date local
businesses Deeside Timber Frame, Clyde
Insulation and Keller Ground Engineering
have been among local businesses securing
contracts with a value in excess of £1m.
Local business Keller Ground Engineering
have been involved in the deep foundation
Special feature - Raploch www.raploch.com
works for many of the buildings under
construction at Raploch. David Whyte,
Regional Manager for Keller said, “I am
delighted to be involved in the regeneration
of Raploch. While we work all over the
world, there is something particularly
satisfying about being involved in a project
that I can see from our office window in
Castle Business Park!”
David continued, “I chose to move our office
from Glasgow to Stirling some years ago.
Stirling is more central in Scotland, making
it easier to access all of the other business
areas and regeneration sites, including
Raploch. This has proved to be a good and
successful decision and we are hopeful
to continue to win work on the Raploch
project.”
Keller Ground Engineering has provided
specialist Vibro Replacement Ground
Improvement and Driven Cast Insitu Piling to
support the foundations for the two, three
and four storey buildings at Raploch.
R3 has also committed to supporting the
Sustainable Community Enterprise (SCE)
in securing their own sub-contract work.
Among the contracts already won by SCE
were renovating R3’s temporary sales office
on Drip Road and installing the landscape
around the Resource Centre which opened
in the autumn of this year.
David Whyte,Keller Ground Engineering
17www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
New college campus for Stirling Forth Valley College is poised to
launch an exciting new era for
education and training in central
Scotland, thanks to an investment
package worth more than £50
million.
New initiative to help unemployedA new initiative, Workcraft, was launched in September to support people from
disadvantaged communities in Forth Valley, Fife and Tayside into employment
over the next seven months.
Workcraft provides one-to-one support for
customers and employers
Funded by Jobcentre Plus through the
Disadvantaged Area Fund (DAF), Workcraft
is delivered by Stirling-based Company
Triage Central Limited and is targeted at
people not on existing programmes such
as New Deal and Training for Work.
In its first four weeks of operation,
Workcraft has already placed more
than twenty people into employment
across a range of occupational sectors.
Beneficiaries have included those who
have recently been made redundant to
those returning after longer
spells away from work.
Workcraft will support employers
by providing a ‘no cost’
recruitment service, eliminating
advertising costs, screening
and assessing candidates,
matching suitable candidates to
vacancies and providing a post-
employment aftercare service. Funding may
also be available for job specific training.
For more information on Workcraft,
contact Peter Boulton on 01786 451513
or mobile number 07979 534029.
The package is the result of one
of the largest ever investments
made by the Scottish Funding
Council and the College’s own
multi-million pound outlay.
The investment will be used
to deliver new state-of-the-art
learning campuses in Stirling
and Alloa, and to improve
facilities in Falkirk.
And the story is not just about
bricks and mortar. As shown
by the recent outstanding
inspection report by Her
Majesty’s Inspectorate of
Education (HMIE), Forth Valley
College is at the top of the tree
when it comes to providing
effective learning and teaching
- a hard-won accolade that
reassures learners and the
business world alike that the
College is second to none in
providing quality courses that
produce quality employees.
Stirling campusThe College has secured a new
site at Kildean on the banks
of the Forth, at the heart of
what will be an exciting new
business location in Stirling.
When completed, this will
arguably be the most attractive
learning location in Scotland,
with wonderful riverside views
and walks, and great visibility
from the adjacent motorway.
The new campus will also
be at the centre of a new
business growth area in Stirling,
will have excellent transport
links, and will be close to the
College’s existing Raploch
Campus.
Development of this wonderful
site will begin in August 2010,
with completion in February
2012, ready for the 2012/13
academic session.
Speaking about this hugely
ambitious and broad-ranging
project, Forth Valley College
Principal Linda McKay said,
“These truly are exciting and
transformational times for
Forth Valley learners. This
project is the realisation of
the vision that we had when
we amalgamated Falkirk
and Clackmannan colleges in
August 2005.
“I know that I speak for every
single member of College
staff, its Board and our
stakeholders when I say that
we are all as committed as we
possibly could be to bringing
this vision to fruition.”
1� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
RETAiLThe importance of the retail sector to
Scotland has increased over time and
currently accounts for £21 billion of
turnover. This is 12 per cent of total
turnover for all enterprises in Scotland.
Retail also provides employment for
238,000 people, some 11 per cent of
the national workforce. Contrary to
popular belief, employment in retail is
not all part-time, in fact some 45 per
cent of employees are full time. The
sector in Scotland does have a higher
percentage of female employees than
the rest of the UK.
Retailing in the Stirling area is (with
the exception of Health/Social work)
the highest provider of employment at
12 per cent.
Expenditure on retail at the Stirling
area level is difficult to measure
due to data collation reliability
and commercial confidentiality.
However in a recent benchmarking
report compiled for Stirling City
Centre Management, spending on
‘comparison’ goods (clothing, gifts,
electrical, furniture etc) throughout
Stirling’s catchment was estimated
by national data collector ‘Promis’ at
£588 million.
The sector is dynamic and
constantly changing with new
ways of buying goods available for
potential purchasers and demands
from customers increasing. In a
recent national survey, increasing
competition, attracting new customers,
business regulations and attracting
appropriately qualified people were
identified as key challenges. Stirling
Eye spoke to a sample of retail
professionals in Stirling to seek their
views on retailing in the Stirling area.
Sector feature
Point of view from Thistles CentreColin Moulson, Manager of the Thistles Centre gives
his views on changes to the retail sector…
how many units are there in the Thistles Centre?97 units.
how big is the Thistles Centre?524,000 square feet.
When did it open?The Thistles Centre opened in 1976 and the Marches
mall in 1997. The original Centre was refurbished in
2002.
What types of tenants are there?The main retail tenants consist of mass-market department stores and high street fashion
operators.
how have tenants changed over time?Retailers are now more focused on sales returns per sq ft and this has caused re-
engineering of units to satisfy retailer needs for today’s consumer market.
How has the customer profile changed over time?It hasn’t changed that significantly, but our research has shown that people are travelling
further to come to The Thistles.
how have customers’ demands for goods changed over time?Customers today are more aware of what they want, with greater knowledge about
goods and a wider range of shopping choices.
What do you think the biggest issue is facing national retailers?There are two major issues. Scotland is at saturation level in the provision of large
warehouse and out of town retailing. Secondly the expansion of the internet has changed
the way people purchase goods. These issues have had major impacts on how retailing
works as an industry and the saturation means retailers need to carefully choose where
they have retail units.
Are there any particular types of retailers you would like to attract to the centre? We would like to attract other fashion/lifestyle brands such as H&M and Borders. They
would provide further diversity to the retail offer in Stirling.
What are the future plans for the Thistles?Standard Life, the owners of the shopping centre are constantly doing appraisals on
development opportunities to try and continue to improve the retail offer in Stirling.
However this is no easy task given the major investment that is required and we also need
to be mindful of other retail developments being given the go ahead in the Stirling area.
What two things would you like to see done to improve Stirling as a retail destination?A robust planning system that as a priority, seeks to protect the city centre retail core and
secondly, John Lewis, right in the heart of Stirling ! !
1�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
independent retailer point of viewDouglas Wood of WoodWinters Wines & Whiskies in Bridge of Allan and Andrew Pemberton of Pemberton’s Sewing Shop in Stirling provide their views on changes to the retail sector…
Sector feature
WoodWinters Wines & WhiskiesAndrew Pemberton
how long have you been trading in the Stirling Council area? Why did you choose this location?
Has your customer profile changed over time?
have you changed your service to meet the demands of customers?
What is the biggest issue affecting independent retailers?
What are the strengths of retailing in Stirling?
What are your future plans for the business?
www.woodwinters.com
Douglas WoodWoodWinters Wines & Whiskies
3 years.
We identified a gap in the market in Bridge
of Allan for a good independent wine
retailer.
Yes, our customers now want to learn more
about flavour, demanding a greater range
of quality wines. People are becoming tired
of falsely discounted wines in supermarkets
and are looking for value for money.
Yes, we’ve increased our range of quality
wines, but particularly those under £10.
We’ve also strengthened the investment
arm of our business, taking on a new
employee to provide specialist advice on
investment wines.
Maintaining a good presence, e.g. through
press and advertising. It’s no longer simply
enough to have a good shop frontage, we
need to actively reach out to customers.
To maintain advantage over larger retailers,
small independents need to move quickly
with demand and be agile in responding
to the market while maintaining quality
customer service.
The key strength is that local businesses
work together. We’ve worked closely with
The Running Company, Queens Hotel, Royal
Hotel, L’Angevine, Bang & Oulsen and
Bravado running wine tasting at various
events.
We are opening a new warehouse in
Springkerse and a new retail unit in
Edinburgh. Over the long-term, we plan to
open further retail outlets in Glasgow and
Perth.
Andrew PembertonPemberton’s Sewing Shop
Since 1973.
Stirling provided a really good central
point with easy access for customers from
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Dundee.
Not really – customers still want the same
standard of quality. Sewing products
continue to develop however, with
changes reflecting technological advances
and fashion cycles.
Our service has remained constant in terms
of quality and customer service, but we
have introduced a web-shop – internet
sales now account for 20 per cent of sales
and we are selling sewing items to a
number of countries including America,
France and England.
The biggest current issue is the problem
with the banks. Banks don’t want to
lend to businesses or consumers, which is
having a big impact on the retail sector.
Fortunately we are well established, but
it is harder for new retailers who need to
find money to purchase stock.
Recessions are strange times though – we
find that sales increase as more people
look to sew and repair their own clothes!
The new Park and Ride facilities have been
a great boost, making the city centre more
accessible. I’m also really pleased with the
new look of Friars Street following recent
streetscape improvements.
To continue providing a quality service!
www.psmc.co.uk
�0 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Name: Julie Campbell & Tony Bancewicz
Job Title: JC: Optician TB: Practice Manager (Business Partners)
Place of work: Stirling Optical, Port Street, Stirling
How do you get to work? JC: Drive own car TB: Cycle and train
What is your favourite place to eat out? Why? JC: My Mum’s, great food and it’s free!!
TB: The Old Smiddy, Killin, Great food and great service.
What do you think the Stirling area could most benefit from? JC: A comedy club TB: More cycle lanes
What is your favourite colour? JC: Red TB: Tartan!
What is the best thing about doing business in Stirling? JC: There is a good mix of big chains and independent retailers
TB: People travel from all over to come to Stirling, it’s nice to meet such
a diverse clientele as well as all of the tourists you meet.
What do you think the biggest issue is for businesses in JC: The domination of marketing power that the big chains have.
the Stirling area? TB: Increasing internet sales.
What is the biggest issue for your business? JC: Letting everyone know we are here!
TB: Overcoming the perception that a family run business is more
expensive that its larger competitors.
What is your favourite shop? JC: Let’s Party - and it’s right next door!
TB: Mothercare!! (See ‘Did you know?’)
What is your greatest ambition? JC: To travel the world
TB: A healthy and happy family and to own a chalet in the Alps.
30 second interview
DiD you know?
Stirling Optical has recently had a ‘baby boom’ with three members of staff welcoming baby girls since the last edition of Stirling Eye!
Sector feature
The Stirling ArcadeChina Merchant and Town
Councillor William Crawford
built the Stirling Arcade
between 1881 and 1882.
In 1882, the Arcade occupied the
very heart of the Royal Burgh
of Stirling, connecting Murray
Place and King Street. It was a
thriving and fashionable place
extending to 22,333 square feet,
including 39 shops, the Douglas
Hotel fronting the Railway Station,
a large Temperance Hotel facing
onto King Street and at its very
centre, the Alhambra Theatre.
William Crawford died in 1894
and his family later sold the
Arcade. Tenants at the start of
the twentieth century included
a rubber goods shop, a large
draper saloon, tea merchants,
jewellers, a licensed house,
a restaurant, William Lows, a
fruiterer and a billiard hall. Over
the years the Arcade has had
various names including the
Stirling Arcade, Alhambra Arcade
and Crawford Arcade.
The Grade B listed Alhambra
Theatre was designed by Stirling
architect John McLean. The
Theatre closed in 1939 and
is now unused and hidden
behind retail units. The form
of the auditorium is still
evident however, with an
ornate twisting staircase in the
entrance and fragments of
plaster decoration remaining.
The Arcade recently underwent
extensive renovation and was
re-launched this year as the
‘Stirling Arcade’. It is still
home to an array of small
specialist businesses, including
Betti Loves It women’s fashion,
A Wee Sweetie candy shop, BPM
gents clothing, Andy Simpson
Music Centre, Ebu beauticians,
Pretam Beau hairdressers, EC
Café, Silver Gems jewellers, Kiddie
Kouture children’s wear, Cornish
Pasty Bakery and Abacus toy store.
Andy Kennedy, Stirling City
Centre Initiative Manager
said: “There are currently a
number of opportunities in the
Stirling Arcade and the owners
are looking to attract even more
specialist independent retailers
to the heart of the city.”
�1www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Kate, can you tell our readers a bit about your farm?I run West Moss-side farm, an organic
conservation farm located on the edge of
Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve. My
farm business is based on farming organic
Shetland beef cattle, organic hay and oats.
Five years ago I decided to go for a complete
change and diversified the farm business
through the sustainable conversion of a
steading and hayloft into a learning centre.
Where did your inspiration come from for the learning centre?I have always been interested in nature and
the environment, part of living on Flanders
Moss I guess! My aim was to create a centre
of excellence for people wanting to learn
about local crafts. Many of the courses
developed at the centre involve use of nature
in a sustainable way, and get their inspiration
from the natural surroundings including
basket making using willow coppiced from
the banks of the local Goody Water, and
natural papermaking using materials found
on the moss.
The conversion took around a year to
complete…the result of a lot of hard work by
local builder Duncan Kinloch and joiner Bobby
Cameron! St Ninians based IT specialist
Stephen Rubin contributed to the unique
interior design and project management,
incorporating all of the state-of-the-art IT
and telephone conferencing facilities that
interviewwithKate Sankey,owner ofWestMoss-sideOrganic FarmStirling Eye caught up with Kate Sankey to find out more about her farm diversification project…
make the centre a really versatile space for
a variety of corporate activities. I decorated
the interior with local crafts, resulting in
a unique space, which is used for a wide
variety of activities and events... we’ve even
had a wedding held here!
how did you fund the farm diversification?I contacted the Government Farm Business
Diversification Scheme (now part of the
Scottish Rural Development Programme) and
was provided with advice on how to produce
a business plan and apply for funding. I had
to make sure that my ideas were financially
viable and would provide a return in the
long run. Once I’d worked out a viable plan,
I stuck to my environmental principles by
sourcing natural, local and reused materials…
and also tried to keep costs down – Ebay was
key to this process!!
I also received mentoring support through
the Trossachs Enterprise & Rural Mentoring
Scheme (TERMS) gaining
valuable marketing advice. I have also
acted as a mentor through TERMS to other
entrepreneurs on areas where I have a lot
of experience, including farm diversification!
And the networking events have been great
for making contacts, seeking advice and
bouncing ideas around.
Do you have plans to diversify West Moss-side further?Yes! I’m currently looking into the possibility
of working with Paul Millard from Red Kite
Yurts to provide green accommodation. I
would like to have a couple of yurts in the
natural woodland on the farm that can be
used by people wishing to do residential craft
courses. I want to look at using composting
loos, natural rainwater and solar showers
and other environmental technologies. I
would also like to convert another part of the
steading into a catering facility for the centre
and might look at providing this space to a
social enterprise involved in organic food.
However, these ideas are still very much
at concept stage! I am engaging with the
new Scottish Rural Development Programme
(SRDP) to look at funding potential, as well
as researching other ways of bringing the
projects forward.
To find out more about West Moss-side
Centre & Organic Farm, please contact
Kate Sankey on 01786 850428, email
[email protected] or visit www.
westmossside.com
Kate Sankey
The name game!Every year, calves born at West Moss-side Farm
have names beginning with a different letter, and
the names of every cow’s calves follow a different
theme. This year was the year of ‘J’ (so that’s 10
years!!). Amy calved while a group from BTCV and the
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group were meeting at West Moss-side, so Kate asked the
group to come up with a name for the heifer calf. Amy’s theme is trees so the group
chose the name Juniper!
�1www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
�� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Special feature - Research & information for businesses
Business research and informationFinding statistics and information for business plans, funding applications, targeting customers and general market research can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. The Research Team at Stirling Council give you a snap shot of what information is freely available online.
What is the latest population and household information available? The latest population figures available are the 2007 Mid Year
Estimates (published June 2008). This information is published
annually and is available for different age bands and sex for each
Council area. Population estimates are also available for each
settlement or town e.g. Bannockburn, Callander. This information
can be found on the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS)
website – www.gro-scotland.gov.uk
The latest household statistics are the 2007 Household Estimates.
This dataset gives estimates of the number of households and
trends in household types. This information is available at GROS for
each Council area. Information for smaller areas can be obtained
from Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics (SNS) – www.sns.gov.uk
Looking to the future, population and household projections up to
the year 2031 can be accessed on the GROS site.
What about smaller areas?Sometimes it is helpful to get information on specific places
within the Stirling Council area. Stirling Council is split into 7
electoral wards and there’s lots of information available for these.
Getting even smaller, there are areas called datazones. These are
the smallest areas for which statistics are commonly available.
There are 110 datazones in the Stirling Council area!
The table below gives you the number of households, population
and sources of information for the key geographies (starting from
the largest geography to the smallest).
Geography
Local Authority
– Stirling Council
Wards (electoral
boundaries – 7 in
Stirling Council
area)
Settlement
(towns and
villages)
Data Zones
Number of households
37,328
5,000 - 7,000
Varies
250 - 500
Population
88,190
12,000
– 15,000
Varies
500 - 1,000
Sources of statistics for this geography…
SCROL (census
results), GROS,
NOMIS, SNS
SNS
SCROL and GROS
SNS
What are the best sources of information for key statistics?GRO (General Register Office) Scotland - provides a range of statistics on population, households, births, deaths, marriages, life expectancy and popular names.www.gro-scotland.gov.uk
Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics - particularly useful source for small areas – provides statistics on population, households, access to services, community care, health, economic activity, benefits and tax credits, education, skills and training, health, housing, and the index of multiple deprivation. www.sns.gov.uk
Scottish Census Results OnLine (SCROL) - Although now a few years old, the 2001 Census provides comprehensive information on socio-economic classifications, ethnicity, demographics, education, health, home accommodation and dwellings, work and transport.www.scrol.gov.uk
Nomis - the best place for labour market information, including employment, unemployment, qualifications, earnings, benefit claimants and businesses. www.nomisweb.co.uk
Stirling Council Research Team - pull together key statistics on the Stirling area to produce ‘Stirling at a Glance’, which is updated monthly: www.stirling.gov.uk/stirling_at_a_glanceA selection of key sources can be found at www.stirling.gov.uk/local_informationThey can also assist you in finding or understanding statistics.email: [email protected] Tel: (01786) 442992
Example of a datazone
© Crown
Copyright.
All rights
reserved.
Stirling Council
100020780
(2008).
��www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Special feature - Research & information for businesses Research & information for businesses - Special feature
Youth – �-1�, Friars Street, StirlingYouth opened its doors in August, providing designer fashion for
girls and boys aged 9-16. The owner Craig Hopkins found a niche
in the market to provide clothing to youngsters as an alternative
to adult clothing. Craig set up his business based on his own
observations of the clothing market. He already has plans to
expand with the opening of a store just for girls after Christmas.
He is also looking at the possibility of opening further retail units
in neighbouring towns.
Research and information requirements:To help plan for expansion Craig will need population, school roll,
household formation and income information.
Sources of research and information:There are three main
sources Craig can easily
access online; Scottish
Neighbourhood Statistics
for school rolls and
household information,
General Register Office for
population and Nomis/
SNS for income figures.
What type of information do enterprises require?Stirling Council’s Research Team caught up with a local business and voluntary organisation to find out more about their research requirements.
Business informationThere are a number of resources that you can use. Here we take
a closer look at the Business Gateway Information and Research
Service and the National Library of Scotland’s Scottish Business
Information Service (SCOTBIS).
Business Gateway information and Research ServiceThe Business Gateway Information and Research Service can tailor
information specifically to your needs.
The Service can provide a range of information – some free and some
at a charge. Examples of the type of information the service can
provide include:
l A list of Irish knitwear manufacturers or Scottish cheese makers
l Financial information on a local or national competitor
l Trends in the soft drinks market or the outlook for the
optoelectronics industry
l Press and trade articles which mention your industry or company
l Detailed demographics on the population of Stirling
l Statistics on Scottish car usage or total UK manufacturer sales of
rubber tyres
You can access the Business Gateway Research and Information
Service for free by contacting Business Gateway. Charges only apply
if you require data from a charged source, e.g. mailing lists from
Equifax or FAME.
To find out more, please email [email protected] or phone 0845
609 6611 and ask your Business Gateway Adviser about assistance
available through the Research and Information Service.
SCOTBiS - Global business information at your fingertipsThe National Library
of Scotland’s SCOTBIS
(Scottish Business
Information Service)
– www.scotbis.com
– provide a free business
information enquiry
service. One of the main
advantages of this service
is that you can access
information entirely
online.
SCOTBIS can provide businesses with company financial accounts,
news information, market research and mailing lists directly through
the web. While it is free to register and use the enquiry service,
there may be nominal charges for data from some sources – for
example it may cost around £10 for a mailing list of 100 businesses.
To find out more about services offered through SCOTBIS, please
contact John Coll on 0131 623 3816, email [email protected] or visit
www.scotbis.com
Fallin Community Enterprises – www.recyke-a-bike.co.ukFallin Community Enterprises
(FCE) is a not-for-profit
organisation. FCE established a
bicycle recycling service known
as Recyke-a-bike in June 2006,
which is helping to reduce the
impact of waste on the
environment as well as providing
employment and training opportunities within the Fallin area.
Research and information requirements:Manager Alasdair Tollemache said, “Statistics are very important
for our grant application work to provide hard evidence to back-
up funding requests. Up-to-date figures are also used for planning
work and our future developments.”
Sources of research and information:Alasdair uses the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics (SNS)
online mapping system to identify datazones in the places he
is interested in, e.g. Fallin and the Polmaise community council
area. He can then access a range of statistics through the SNS
website, including population projections, number of young
people, number of unemployed and deprivation data.
�� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Intercontinental Rally Challenge comes to StirlingStirling and Perth & Kinross will play host to the
final round of the prestigious Intercontinental
Rally Challenge (IRC) on November 19-21, 2009,
forming a centrepiece event within the Homecoming
Scotland celebrations. The IRC is all set to start in
January 2009 with the closed mountain road stages of the world famous
Monte Carlo Rally and conclude with its newest event, officially named the
‘Rally of Scotland’. There are ten rounds in total, and host countries in 2008
included Spain, China, Italy and Switzerland.
The announcement about
the event - secured by
EventScotland, the national
events agency, in partnership
with Stirling and Perth and
Kinross Councils - was made
by the First Minister on 14th
October.
Making the announcement the
First Minister of Scotland, the Rt
Hon Alex Salmond MSP said:
“Scotland’s reputation for
leading innovation and setting
new standards in the motor
sport industry makes it an ideal
location for the Intercontinental
Rally Challenge finale. The
event will be made even more
special as it will be one of
the signature events in our
Homecoming programme. For
2009 we are inviting Scotland’s
friends and family to return
home to celebrate our strengths
and culture.
“Today that invitation is being
extended to the countless rally
fans and enthusiasts around
the world. With dramatic
landscapes, warm hospitality
and fierce competition – I hope
that many will answer the
Homecoming rally call.”
The Intercontinental Rally
Challenge was introduced in
2006 as a new rally series,
carrying the endorsement of
the FIA and is closely based on
production cars, with 2 litre,
normally aspirated engines.
This format is designed to
attract more manufacturers to
the sport and is now supported
by Fiat, Honda, Mitsubishi,
Peugeot and Volkswagen.
The international-status event
will be decided by three days
of competitive driving over
timed Special Stages on closed
Forestry Commission Scotland
gravel roads and will include
a ceremonial start, service
stop and high profile village
featuring additional activity
for the many thousands of
spectators expected.
Eurosport is the global
promoter of the IRC series and
will be showing live footage, as
well as highlight programmes,
through their international
network. The event will attract
around 8.5 hours coverage
in total, with 1.5 hours of
this being live. The
broadcast will showcase
Stirling’s natural assets, with
the route taking in some of the
most stunning scenery the area
has to offer.
The event, which is also due to
take place in 2010 and 2011,
will benefit from significant
TV and media exposure.
Organisers also anticipate
spectator numbers at the event
to grow in excess of 100,000
as the event becomes more
established.
Councillor Scott Farmer, Depute
Leader of Stirling Council
and Corporate Resources and
Economy portfolio holder
said, “I am delighted to
welcome this
prestigious and exciting event
to Stirling. As joint hosts of
the Intercontinental Rally
Challenge, we believe that the
event will provide a unique
platform for showcasing Stirling
and the beauty of its landscape
to the world, thereby boosting
tourism and delivering major
economic benefits to the
community”.
“The Council looks forward to
working with EventScotland and
the promoters, International
Motor Sports, who have
a proven track record for
delivering motor rally events
throughout the world. As a
country with a rich motor
sporting heritage, we are also
committed to ensuring - in
partnership with the organisers
and the Forestry Commission -
that there is no negative impact
on the local environment.”
For more information contact
Caralin Montgomery-Cichy,
Events & Film Liaison Executive,
on 01786 442 535, email
Scottish Rally Championship © Rally-photo.com
��www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
BBC Christmas drama filmed on location in Stirling Keep a look out for ‘The 39 Steps’, a great one-off drama, which makes its television debut
on BBC One this Boxing Day (26th December).
Based on the classic novel by Scottish author John Buchan, and set in the build up to
the First World War, The 39 Steps is a roller coaster action adventure, full of excitement,
danger, fun and romance. It stars Rupert Penry Jones (Spooks, Burn Up) as the main
character, Richard Hannay.
Filming for the drama took place throughout Stirling at various locations including Stirling
Castle, Loch Katrine and Touch Estate and also in Edinburgh.
Support for local businesses and communities in Rural Forth Valley The new Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER funding programme was launched in
October at Callendar House, Falkirk. This new programme will award grants across
the rural Forth Valley area until 2013, including the whole of the Stirling Council
area outwith Stirling city itself.
An extra for ‘The 39 Steps’ during filming at Stirling Castle
One of the priorities of the
programme is ‘Supporting
sustainable local enterprise’,
and while individual businesses
can’t apply for funds to LEADER,
there are a number of ways
that you can get involved:
l LEADER wants to support
connections between local
producers, distributors and
rural retailers.
l We can encourage projects
that support the start up
and development of local
enterprise.
l Ideas that support a more
enterprising voluntary and
community sector could be
LEADER funded.
how businesses can get involved Businesses in rural areas can
help community projects in a
number of ways:
l In-kind support – a recent
LEADER project, The Throsk
Hub received lots of support
from local businesses who
helped with demolition
of an old prefab building
to make way for a new
community Hub. Gh Groundworks Ltd and MTS Recovery & Repairs
contributed time and
resources to the demolition
process and without this
support, it is likely that the
community would still be
struggling to get funding.
l You might be able to help
community groups develop
a project by providing
meeting space, access to
a computer, or putting up
notices and making sure
that the rest of the area
know what’s happening.
l By getting involved in
community plans you can
make sure that business
needs are included.
how businesses can benefit While individual
businesses can’t apply
for funding from
LEADER, associations of
local companies or trade
groups can apply for a
range of projects. Ideas
must be innovative and
able to demonstrate
some benefit to the
community. Previously,
trade associations have
applied for funding to LEADER
to improve access to an area,
provide joint marketing of local
products, support broadband
provision in rural areas, and
develop better visitor services
to encourage visitors to stay
longer in one place.
More information and how to applyTo apply for funding, you need to submit an initial enquiry form to the Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER Support Unit. More information is available on the website www.fvl.org.uk . If your business or community group already has an idea for an innovative project, please contact [email protected] or complete a copy of the Initial Enquiry Form which is available on the website.
MTS Recovery & Repairs – “Happy to support the Throsk community!”
�� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Economic factsPopulation and Households Stirling �000-�007 % Change �000 �001 �00� �00� �00� �00� �00� �007 Stirling Scotland
Total Population 86,160 86,200 86,150 86,370 86,370 86,930 87,810 88,190 2.4% 1.6%
Working Age Population 54,058 53,771 53,501 53,667 53,268 53,588 54,310 54,367 0.6% 2.7%
Total Number of households 35,206 35,544 35,961 36,454 36,658 36,958 37,164 37,328 6.0% 5.0%
Source: General Register Office for Scotland
Employment RateFigure 2: Employment Rate (as % of Working Age Population)
Source: Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
77.0
76.0
75.0
74.0
Empl
oym
ent
rate
2004 2007
Growth in Number of Jobs �000 �001 �00� �00� �00� �00� �00� �000-�00� �000-�00� Change % Change
Stirling 40,600 42,100 41,300 40,900 42,800 45,600 46,400 5,800 14%
Scotland 2,234,300 2,299,800 2,279,500 2,307,000 2,340,000 2,391,400 2,370,600 136,300 6%
Source: Annual Business Inquiry (Nomis)
Enterprise �00� �00� �00� �00� �00� �007 �00�-�007 �00�-�007 Change % Change
Stirling 449 534 460 452 474 480 31 6.9%
Scotland 18,518 21,468 20,808 21,383 23,468 25,041 6,523 35.2%
Source: The Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers
Business Survival RatesFigure 6: 3 Year Business Survival Rates - VAT Registered Businesses
Source: Small Business Service
80
75
70
65
60
3 Ye
ar S
urvi
val R
ate
- %
1999 2002Year business registered for VAT
Figure 1: Population and Households
Figure 4: Jobs Growth
Figure 5: New Business Starts
Stirling
Scotland
Business DensityFigure 7: Number of VAT Registered Businesses per 10,000 Population
Source: VAT Registrations and De-Registrations (Nomis)
500
400
300
200
100
0
No.
VAT
Reg
. bus
ines
s pe
r 10
,000
pop
ulat
ion
2000 2006
Stirling
Scotland
Unemployment RateFigure 3: Unemployment Rate (as % of Working Age Population)
Stirling
Scotland3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Une
mpl
oym
ent
rate
Source: Claimant Count with Rates and Proportions (Nomis)
September 2003 September 2008
�7www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
VAT Registered BusinessesFigure 8: VAT Registered Businesses in 2006 – Percentages based on stock of VAT registered businesses Stirling – Number Stirling - % Scotland - %
VAT Registrations 280 8.7% 8.6%VAT De-registrations 215 6.7% 6.7%Stock at start of year 3,210 - -
Source: VAT Registrations and De-Registrations (Nomis)
QualificationsFigure 11: % of the Working Age Population Qualified to SVQ Level 4+ (or equivalent) and % with No Qualifications, 2007
Source: Labour Force Survey/Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0% o
f w
orki
ng a
ge p
opul
atio
n
Stirling
SVQ Level �+
No qualifications
Scotland
EarningsFigure 13: Average Gross Weekly Earnings of people working full time �00� �00� �00� �00� �00� �007 �00�-�007 % Change
Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Residents – Stirling £425.9 £428.4 £419.7 £455.3 £472.1 £478.9 12.4%Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Residents – Scotland £369.3 £381.8 £390.6 £409.8 £427.9 £441.0 19.4%Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Workers – Stirling £376.4 £377.8 £390.1 £382.6 £419.3 £434.2 15.4%Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Workers – Scotland £371.7 £381.3 £390.4 £408.6 £428.1 £441.5 18.8%
Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Nomis)
Industry
Figure 9: Employment by Industrial Sector, Stirling, 2006
Source: Annual Business
Inquiry (Nomis)
Employment by Industrial Sector, %
Occupational DistributionFigure 10: Occupational Distribution, Stirling, 2007
Occupational Distribution of workers in Stirling, %
Source: Annual Population
Survey - Workplace Analysis
(Nomis)
Source: VAT Registrations and De-Registrations (Nomis)
Visitors to the Stirling AreaFigure 12: Tourism Revenue, Tourist Days and Visitors to Key Attractions in the Stirling Council AreaVisitors �00� �007
Argyll’s Lodging 54,054 50,573
Bannockburn Heritage Centre 65,871 61,410
Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park 402,701 433,070
Mugdock Country Park 543,055 559,695
National Wallace Monument 119,526 135,000
Old Town Jail 27,328 30,719
Stirling Castle 385,755 389,011
Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum 44,264 40,859
Tourism Revenue (£’s millions) 388.83 390.45Tourist Numbers (thousands) 4,366.60 4,323.50
Source: Scottish Tourism Economic Assessment Model; Visit Scotland; Mugdock Country Park
11.8 14.1
13.6
14.7
11.0
12.6
5.7
11.6
4.9
Useful web linksBusiness Gateway – www.bgateway.com
Forth Valley College – www.forthvalley.ac.uk
Forth Valley Construction Forum – www.forthconstruction.co.uk
Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER – www.fvl.org.uk
Funding Search Facility – www.stirling.gov.uk/business/funding
The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park – www.lochlomond-trossachs.orgLottery Fund – www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland
Property Search Facility – www.stirling.gov.uk/property
Raploch Urban Regeneration Company – www.raploch.com
Scottish Chambers of Commerce – www.scottishchambers.org.uk
Scottish Enterprise – www.scottish-enterprise.co.uk
Scottish Government – www.scotland.gov.uk
Scottish Parliament – www.scottish.parliament.uk
Stirling Business Directory – www.stirling.gov.uk/business/directory
Stirling Business Panel – www.stirling.gov.uk/businesspanel
Stirling Council Business Pages – www.stirling.gov.uk/business
Stirling Enterprise (STEP) – www.stirling-enterprise.co.uk
Stirling Eye – www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Stirling University innovation park – www.suip.co.uk
Trossachs Rural Mentoring Scheme – www.ruralmentoring.co.uk
University of Stirling – www.stir.ac.uk
Visit Scotland – www.visitscotland.org
Stirling Council Environment Services, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET phone: 0845 277 7000
email: [email protected] text: 0771 779 0001 web: stirling.gov.uk
Des
ign
by T
he W
rite
Peop
le, S
tirlin
g Te
l: 01
786
4450
22 w
ww
.thew
ritep
eopl
e.co
.uk
Christmas Park & Ride opening timesPark and Ride services in
and around Stirling have
been extended for the
Christmas period.
In addition to the usual Monday to Saturday service (7.30am to
6.30pm, except Thursday when services are extended to 8.30pm),
a Sunday service will operate in December from the Castleview and
Springkerse sites, 10.00am to 6.00pm.
EVENTS CONTACTSStirling – STEPTel 01786 463416, email [email protected]
Alloa – CETERISTel 01259 726430, email [email protected]
Falkirk – FEATTel 01324 665500, email [email protected]
Forthcoming events/trainingDecember �00�2nd morning – Stirling – Get Real Results From Your Website.
2nd evening – Stirling – Marketing Your Business.
4th morning – Alloa – Negotiation Skills.
11th evening – Stirling – Advertising and Promotion.
January �00�20th evening – Falkirk – Improve Your Search Engine Ranking.
22nd morning and afternoon – Alloa – Customer Care 1 and Customer Care 2.
23rd morning – Falkirk – Credit Control.
28th morning – Stirling – Improve Your Search Engine Ranking.
29th Stirling – Women Into Business: Business Planning.
Service contactsAdult Learning, Stirling Council
Lynne Gibbons, Tel: 01786 432360, email: [email protected]
Building Standards, Stirling Council
Cecil Stokes, Tel: 01786 432203, email: [email protected]
City Centre Management, Stirling Council
Andy Kennedy, Tel: 01786 442534, email: [email protected]
Economic Strategy & intelligence, Stirling Council
Hugh Lightbody, Tel: 01786 442593, email: [email protected]
Employability Service, Stirling Council
Gordon Wright, Tel: 01786 442866, email: [email protected]
Planning, Stirling Council
Peter Morgan, Tel: 01786 442914, email: [email protected]
Tourism, Marketing & Rural Development, Stirling Council
Deborah Murray, Tel: 01786 442821, email: [email protected]
Trading Standards & Licensing, Stirling Council
Neil Chalmers, Tel: 01786 432170, email: [email protected]