stirling eye - spring 2011
DESCRIPTION
Stirling Eye is a quarterly round up of business news and key facts and figures on Stirling's economy.TRANSCRIPT
08�� �77 7000
Spring �011
Inside this issue...Business profilePaul Saunders Media & Photography
Retail sectorHow Stirling’s retail sector is fairing
Business Panel featureNews on the April Trade Fair, social networking and more
Special features…Top tips on accessing finance
Business space developments
The latest on the Barracks, Forthside and flexible office
space in Stirling
Latest on the £12 million Palace project
at Stirling Castle
� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
ContentsWelcome
Cover photo: A costumed interpreter with visitor to Stirling Castle – please see interview with Gillian MacDonald, Executive Manager of Stirling Castle on page 9 for more information. Photo courtesy of Stirling Castle.
Our interview with Gillian MacDonald, Executive Manager
of Stirling Castle, picks up on the cover story, the £12
million refurbishment of the Palace at Stirling Castle.
This is an exciting development, expected to increase
visitor numbers to the Castle by 20 per cent. Tourism
remains an important driver for Stirling’s economy, and
this edition of Stirling Eye also provides information on the Council’s Tourism
Development Grant Scheme, European support for sustainable tourism through
Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER and results from the latest City of Stirling Visitor
Survey.
Our feature on access to finance provides excellent advice from a Business
Development Partner of a local bank on how to make a strong business case
for finance and how to present yourself and your business accordingly. As the
economic climate remains tough, maximising the success of applications to
the banks for finance is more important than ever for local businesses. Small
businesses will also be interested in the article on rates relief on page 8,
providing information on the Small Business Bonus Scheme.
The local business news section provides continuing evidence of Stirling’s
entrepreneurial spirit, reporting a number of new business start-ups,
expansions and awards. The retail update shows that times have been tough
for the retail sector, but that we have turned the corner now with sales
increasing and vacant units being taken up. The update also reports on the
unexpected boost to Stirling’s retail trade during the lead up to Christmas,
despite the severe winter weather!
I would like to take this opportunity to encourage local businesses to attend the
Stirling Business Panel’s Spring Trade Fair on 12th April at Strathallan House,
Castle Business Park. Over 50 businesses will be exhibiting at the event and
attendance is free. This is the second Trade Fair to be hosted by the Panel and
follows on from the success of the Autumn Trade Fair, which helped many local
businesses to establish new business links.
Councillor Scott Farmer
Depute Leader of Council and
Portfolio Holder for Economy,
Tourism and Finance.
Contact us...Stirling Eye is published by Stirling Council’s Economic Support & Tourism service.
Editor: Joëlle RussellEmail: [email protected] Tel: 01786 442778Visit: www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Design: The Write People, StirlingEmail: [email protected]: 01786 445022Visit: www.thewritepeople.co.uk
Local business news 3
Interview with Gillian MacDonald,Executive Manager of Stirling Castle 9
Stirling Business Panel 10
Special feature - Tips on accessingfinance 12
Best Bar None Awards 2010 14
30 second interview 14
Feature - Tourism Development Grant Scheme 15
Business space developments 16
Latest City of Stirling Visitor Surveypublished 19
Sector feature - Retail update 20
Business profile - Paul Saunders Media & Photography 23
At your service - Land Services 24
The Stirling Wedding Show – matching local brides to localbusinesses 26
New wedding venue with a difference 26
Curriculum for Excellence 27
2011 Scottish Road Race Championships 27
LEADER update 28
Wireless broadband is coming torural businesses in Stirling 29
Economic facts 30
On the Verge 32
Forthcoming events/training 32
View exclusive video clip on the refurbished Palace at www.smallmajority.co.uk
Stirling Eye is distributed for free to around 3,000 local businesses. First published in 2007, Stirling Eye comes out three times a year.
�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Local business newsDriven in style Local businessman William Chrystal recently expanded his business activities in Stirling by
opening a new luxury chauffeur-driven car hire company.
IT services provider expands into StirlingIT services provider, Lightsout Computer
Services, recently opened its fourth
Scottish office in Stirling. In two years,
Lightsout has increased its employee
count from 14 to 38 and has taken on the
IT services of 24 sites across Scotland.
The new Stirling team is based at Stirling
Business Centre and will focus on service
delivery for Scottish sites. The company
specialises in taking over in-house IT
departments to provide fully outsourced
support.
Tim Usher, Director, said: “We are delighted
to expand into Scotland. Stirling is the
ideal location from which to support our
new customers and Scotland plays a
strategic role in our business development
plan.”
“Having set up the new centre, we are
looking to take on additional clients within
the region. We can provide companies
with state-of-the-art technology, reliability
and expertise that is normally out of the
reach of SMEs and large organisations
which have to reduce their cost burden.”
www.lightsout.co.uk
Macfarlane Gray launch new tax serviceStirling based chartered accountants and business
advisors, Macfarlane Gray, recently launched a
new tax compliance and consultancy service
‘Macfarlane Gray Tax’.
Hazel Burt, FCCA, heads up the new service. With
a proven track-record in advising on all aspects
of tax for small and medium-sized businesses
and individual tax payers, Burt commented:
“We continually look at the strength of services
offered and in order to deal with the ever
increasingly complex tax system it is important
that both individual tax-payers and businesses have access to specialist
advice. We have developed our specialist tax team over the last ten years and believe that
the time is right to launch our new tax service.”
Greg Callan, Director, commented: “As the business community catches its breath and
awaits the next twist in our slow climb out of the recession, Macfarlane Gray is looking
forward. We are focusing on the long-term needs of our clients. When growth comes it is
important to be as tax efficient as possible.”
www.macfarlanegray.co.uk
Identifying a niche in the market, William established Chrystal Executive Hire providing
professional chauffeurs specialising in stylish business travel.
William, who is also the Director of Chrystal Funeral Services, said: “Operating in Stirling, we
are ideally situated to service Edinburgh, Glasgow and Prestwick airports. We also service key
meeting and corporate venues, including prestigious golf courses, hotels and theatres. We
aim to provide one less logistical stress for business owners whilst creating a pleasurable
experience for our passengers.”
www.chrystalchauffeurhire.co.uk
� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Local business news
Illness gives entrepreneur drive to follow her dreamOvercoming a debilitating illness gave
Heather Andrews the confidence to follow
her dreams and make jewellery for a
living.
The 56-year-old, who lives in the Stirling
area, gave up her teaching career to re-train
as a fine jeweller after being struck down
with ME in 2001.
With help from Business Gateway’s Stirling
office, she set up www.silvertreestudio.
co.uk in 2008. Selling on the web is ideal
as it allows Heather to choose her hours,
working when she feels well. She also sells
her jewellery through the Mugdock Makkers
Gallery, within Mugdock Country Park.
Inspired by nature, and using traditional
silversmith techniques, each piece of
jewellery is handmade from scratch with the
latest collection made using recycled silver
and biodegradable plastic.
Heather said: “I’ve always loved making
jewellery but it wasn’t until I became ill, and
was unable to get out of bed never mind
work, that I decided it was time to give up
teaching and focus on doing something that
I was passionate about. Business Gateway
has helped me tremendously over the years
and my adviser is always full of ideas that
will help my business grow.”
www.silvertreestudio.co.uk
Bryan and Patricia Jackson owners of The Old Mill B&B on the River Forth have expanded
their business, purchasing a small house adjoining their own home and turning it into a
fishing lodge.
Bryan said: “The Forth was the most productive beat in Scotland in 2010, producing the most
salmon and grilse in the UK in one single beat. Because of our location, it seemed a good
idea to offer this accommodation. We worked with David Jones, Stirling Council’s Fisheries
Officer, to purchase corporate rods that can be used by our guests and we already have
bookings for the year ahead.”
David Jones, said: “Since the ‘Trout and Salmon’ magazine featured the beat, we have been
inundated with phone calls from all over the UK. People want to come to the area and stay in
the area so it is good for Stirling’s economy.”
“The corporate rods allow people to sample the quality of fishing that is offered in the area. This
has resulted in many fishers returning to the area, some of which are now fishing permit holders.”
www.oldmillcottagestirling.co.uk
Fishing for business
Chairman of Contract Scotland, Colin Woodward, right, being presented with the Insider Best Employer Award.
Top employer award for Contract ScotlandStirling based construction recruiter Contract
Scotland recently scooped the Insider Best SME
300 Employer award, in recognition of its wide
range of efforts to motivate and reward its 20-
strong workforce.
This includes a pay structure that rewards long
term relationships with clients rather than short-
term success. Senior managers are given free
shares in recognition of the contributions they
have made to the success of the business.
Colin Woodward, Managing Director of Contract Scotland, said: “This award
is testimony to the continued dedication and motivation of our employees who are
committed to providing a quality service to support the industry and have made a positive
contribution to the success of the business over the years.”
The best employer award is the latest in a series of wins by Contract Scotland, which also
recently picked up the Recruitment Company of the Year award
at the prestigious UK-wide Recruitment Business Awards.
www.contractscotland.co.uk
�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Kernis on the moveStirling based
telemarketing
firm Kernis
Communications
has expanded into
larger premises
after doubling its
client base in the
past 12 months.
Kernis, which specialises in appointments
and lead generation, has enjoyed continued
growth since launching in 2005 and the
increase in clients has prompted the
move to 1,700 sq ft offices in Springkerse
Industrial Estate, Stirling.
Managing Director Wendy Nisbet developed
the business following a career in
telemarketing and branched out on her
own after being head hunted by a number
of similar companies.
Ms Nisbet said: “The business has grown
from strength to strength during the past
twelve months and the new premises
places us in a great position within the
industry and gives us the opportunity to
further expand the business in the future.”
“I have a highly motivated team of
telemarketing experts who are focussed
on delivering our unrivalled service to our
clients and that is the key to the success of
our business.”
The new office can house up to 20 members
of staff and with a goal to double turnover
in the next 18 months Kernis is set to
further expand their expert team in the
coming year.
www.kerniscommunications.co.uk
Wendy Nisbet, Managing Director of Kernis Communications
Ogilvie start work on £2.9 million waste and recycling facilityStirling Council and Ogilvie Construction Limited recently broke ground on a new £2.9
million Recycling and Waste Management Facility at Lower Polmaise, near Fallin.
As the Council works towards meeting zero waste targets the new facility will receive all
recyclables and waste collected from households, and will enable sorting of quality materials
to be reused and recycled, diverting as much as possible away from landfill sites, which costs
the Council £2 million every year.
Councillor Jim Thomson, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said: “This project represents
a substantial investment by the Council in the future delivery of recycling and waste
management services. It is welcoming that local company Ogilvie Construction has won
the contract as this will support local jobs and bring economic benefits to our area. The new
centre will provide the essential infrastructure to enable the Council to further increase the
recycling and minimisation of waste which will save money, provide best value and deliver
environmental benefits for local people.”
Phil McEwan, Managing Director of Ogilvie Construction, who attended the sod-cutting
ceremony, said: “As a Stirling-based company, we’re delighted to be working with Stirling
Council to deliver this new facility. This multi-million pound contract is one of a series of new
business wins in the past few weeks, securing employment for local people. It’s great to see
work starting on site and I look forward
to the new facility being completed.”
www.ogilvie.co.uk
Work starts on construction
40 years of success in Stirling M.A.C. Electrical & Heating Engineers celebrated forty successful years of doing business in Stirling in February.
The company employs 12 people and handles all aspects of industrial and commercial electrical and heating contracts.
Director Tony Moulsdale has been with the company since it was established in 1971. Tony said: “It has been
a joy doing business in Stirling over the last forty years, continuing to go from strength to strength. Originally
established at Riverside, we moved the company to larger, more modern premises at Back O’Hill Industrial Estate
as the company grew.”
“We continue to develop the company and are currently making the most of rising energy bills by offering clients
specialist energy management services that can save them up to 50 per cent on their energy costs.”
www.macstirling.co.uk
Tony Moulsdale
� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
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 0178� ���778 or email [email protected]
art4you ScotlandA new art company based in Balfron
offering art classes to adults from beginner/
refresher to advanced levels, one-to-one
sessions and portfolio classes. Students
can discover their artistic side or improve
existing skills in a relaxed, creative
atmosphere.
Tel: 07981768081
www.art4youscotland.co.uk
Barnton Street MusicA new music shop specialising in vintage
instruments and repair. Guitar, base and
drums tuition is also available. The shop
opened in December 2010 and is located on
Barnton Street, Stirling.
Tel: 01786 479888
www.barntonstreetmusic.com
Baxter Accounting & Tax ServicesA new accounting practice dealing with all
accounting and tax matters for individuals
and companies. Established in January 2011,
the business is located in Strathblane.
Tel: 01360 770320
www.baxtertax.co.uk
The DeliA new deli in Bridge of Allan specialising
in fresh quality local produce, including
hampers and fruit baskets to order. The
business opened in December and is
located in the former Clive Ramsay Deli in
Henderson Street, Bridge of Allan.
Tel: 01786 833903
www.mylocalfarm.co.uk
Gabe’s DinerA new diner/bistro specialising in homemade
comfort food to savour. Gabe’s Diner is
located in Forthside, near Vue Cinema.
Tel: 07513742211
H&MInternational
clothing
retailer
H&M recently
opened a branch in the Stirling
Thistle Centre. H&M offers fashion for
women, men, teenagers and children.
www.hm.com
The Junk RoomsA new café/bar/bistro/licensed restaurant
located on Friars Street, Stirling. The Junk
Rooms opened in December 2010 and
specialises in Scottish modern cuisine.
Tel: 01786 358003
www.thejunkrooms.co.uk
LUSHA new
branch
of LUSH
recently
opened
in the
Stirling
Thistles
Centre.
LUSH
specialise
in fresh handmade cosmetics, made from
ethically sourced ingredients.
www.lush.co.uk
Mortgage CentralMortgage Central recently relocated
from Castle Craig Business Park to Upper
Craigs, Stirling. The business specialises in
mortgage and insurance advice.
Tel: 01786 447470
www.mcentral.co.uk
News @nd SURFA new local convenience store with internet
café access located in King Street, Stirling.
The business opened in January 2011.
Tel: 01786 358816
Parc Hair & BeautyA new upcoming salon
offering a fresh approach to
hair and beauty. Parc opened
in December and is located on
Borestone Crescent, Stirling.
www.parchairbeautystirling.co.uk
Pixlprint LtdA large format digital printing
company located on Abbey Road,
Stirling. Pixlprint specialise in
banners, posters, pull-ups, pop-ups, ‘A’
boards, mounted prints, labels and more.
Tel: 01786 473403
www.pixlprint.com
Poppy BoutiqueA new ladies fashion boutique, specialising
in brands such as Vicky Martin, CeMe
London and Laundry Room. The boutique
opened in October 2010 and is located on
Friars Street, Stirling.
Tel: 01786 473908
www.poppyboutique.co.uk
RAYTDRAYTD is a new unique gents boutique,
specialising in branded clothes including
Liam Gallagher’s label Pretty Green,
Original Penguin, Farah, Religion and
Juke De Luxe. The shop opened in
November 2010 and is located in the
Stirling Arcade.
Shining Bright Cleaning ServicesA new home and office cleaning service
launched in January 2011. The business is
located in Coxithill Road, Stirling.
Tel: 01786 542020 / 07587187758
www.shiningbright.co.uk
Tartan Penguin MediaA new public relations service for
businesses in the Stirling area, specialising
in journalism, public relations and media
consultancy. The business started up in
January and is located in Stirling city.
Tel: 0796814895
www.tartanpenguinmedia.com
Local business news
Business welcome…New and relocating businesses in the Stirling area include:
7www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
TimesaversTimesavers is a new personal concierge
service based in Dunblane, offering
a range of lifestyle and household
management services, so people can
enjoy more free time.
Tel: 07708922452
www.iam2busy.co.uk
YOUMANAGE HR LtdYoumanage is an online platform
offering a suite of modules to support
line managers and HR professionals
with all aspects of people management
– from recruitment and performance
to managing absence, handling a
disciplinary and through to exit.
Youmanage HR Ltd are based at Stirling
University Innovation Park.
Tel: 01786 458037
www.youmanage.co.uk
Your People SolutionsA new Stirling based HR services company
providing professional and cost-effective
HR support and employment law advice
for businesses. Offering expert, practical
support for all HR matters.
Tel: 07411180261
www.yourpeoplesolutions.co.uk
The Wee KitchenA new coffee shop and restaurant located
at Aberfoyle Golf Course specialising in all
home cooked food. The business opened
in March and is run by the same people
who formerly ran the Rock Hill Coffee
Shop in Buchlyvie.
Tel: 01877 382493
www.theweekitchen.co.uk
The Wee Photo ShopA new photography business specialising
in wedding photography, photo
restoration and pop art. The business
opened in November 2010 and is located
at the top of King Street, Stirling, near the
Steeple.
Tel: 01786 466708
www.theweephotoshop.co.uk
Stirling Life magazine Following on from the success of their sister publication for the
National Park area (Park Life), Fiona Baverstock and Katrina
Gardener have established a new A5 colour magazine for the
Stirling area.
Stirling Life magazine is a local events guide and business
directory. It is a free magazine delivered every two months to
20,000 households and businesses in the Stirling area, with
advertising opportunities available.
Fiona Baverstock said: “Park life has been established for
seven years and we decided to launch Stirling Life because
we had so many enquiries from the Stirling area. We would
like to thank all the local businesses who have supported Stirling Life so
far and we are now working on our third edition.”
www.stirlinglifemagazine.co.uk
Rural remit for new STEP Business AdviserStirling Enterprise
(STEP) has recruited a
new Rural Business
Adviser.
Sandy Slater joins
STEP from the
Highlands where he
has operated as a
freelance Business Adviser
since 1991, contracting both
to individual organisations
and Highlands and Islands
Enterprise. He has worked
with business start-ups,
growth businesses and social enterprises on all kinds
of business issues but with a particular focus on
business planning and financial forecasting. Sandy
brings to STEP this understanding of the particular
circumstances and needs of rural businesses and,
being a freelance contractor, understands the day-
to-day pressures such as cash flow, financing the
business, sales and marketing and compliance.
His remit is to provide general business advice to rural
businesses in the Stirling district, including providing
feedback on business issues, assistance in identifying
appropriate sources of business funding and signposting
to specialist advice. He lives in Aberfoyle where he spends
his spare time mountain-biking.
www.stirling-enterprise.co.uk
Scotland’s Best BarsThe Lade Inn
in Callander
and The Birds
and the Bees
in Stirling
were two of
the first bars in
Scotland to be accredited by
VisitScotland’s new Best Bars
scheme.
The awards have been
developed by VisitScotland
and the Scottish Licensed
Trade Association to drive up
standards and encourage more
visitors to enjoy Scotland’s pubs
and bars.
Businesses that would like to
find out more about joining
the Best Bars scheme or being
listed on VisitScotland’s food
and drink website should go to
http://eatscotland.visitscotland.
com/about-eatscotland.html .
www.scotlandbestbars.com
8 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Two week turn around for Stirling beauticianBeauty by Pamela Morton is a new business
which has opened within the Lindsay Murray
Hairdressing salon on Wallace Street, Stirling.
After completing her beauty therapy qualifications,
Pamela worked at Get Nailed in Stirling for eight
years. In July 2010, all the staff, including Pamela,
were given the shock news that the company
would be closing down with just two weeks notice
to find new jobs.
After initially thinking of looking for work
elsewhere, Pamela decided that this was the
prime opportunity to start out on her own, an idea
that she had in the past.
After looking at several different rented premises
in the Stirling area, she finally decided to lease
two rooms within the Lindsay Murray Hairdressing
salon and used her redundancy pay and some
personal savings to purchase equipment and stock
up on some high quality products.
Pamela contacted Stirling Enterprise (STEP) after
the news of her impending redundancy to discuss
her options with Business Gateway Adviser Jim
Fraser. Jim advised Pamela on the practical side
of setting up her business as well as providing
some basic legal advice. Pamela also intends
looking into setting up her own website and
will be assisted in this process through STEP’s IT
Service.
Now trading, Pamela can provide nail care,
tanning and body treatments among others and
she has retained a healthy percentage of her
client base.
Pamela Morton
If your business is eligible for any of these schemes and it is not shown on your bill or if you have not already claimed, please contact the Rates Service on 01786 443236 or email [email protected] for an application form.
BUSINESS RATESRates poundageBusiness Rate poundage from April 2011 is set at 42.6p for properties with a rateable value below £35,000 and 43.3p for larger premises.
Have you claimed your Small Business Bonus?Businesses with rateable values up to £18,000 may have their
rates reduced by a further 25 per cent to 100 per cent. The
thresholds for Small Business Bonus changed last year, which
will allow businesses with a combined rateable value less than
£18,000, to claim up to 100 per cent relief.
The level of relief for each business depends on:
the total rateable value of all properties in Scotland that the business owns;
whether or not each property is eligible for one of the existing rates relief
schemes; and
the level of other public sector assistance received by the business.
Companies occupying two or more properties with a combined rateable value of no
more than £25,000 could also benefit from this scheme. A maximum of 25 per cent
relief can be awarded in these circumstances.
Renewable Energy Generation Relief A new, targeted relief for renewable energy producers was introduced last year. It
offers discounts of up to 100 per cent to support the central role of renewable energy
producers in the climate change agenda and to promote expansion of the sector.
The regulations set out the percentage of relief available to non-domestic properties,
which are solely concerned with the production of renewable energy, banded by
rateable value. Renewable heat or power produced from the following sources is eligible:
biomass, biofuels, fuel cells, photovoltaics, water (including waves and tides, but excluding
production from the pumped storage of water), wind, solar power and geothermal sources.
The properties rateable value will determine the amount of relief that is awarded:
Rateable value Eligible for relief of:
up to £145,000 100%
up to £430,000 50%
up to £860,000 25%
up to £4m 10%
£4m or above 2.5%
Local business news
To keep up-to-date with developments at Stirling Castle, please visit www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk , or contact Nicola McCrae (Marketing Executive, Stirling Castle) on 01786 431325, email [email protected] .
View exclusive video clip on the newly refurbished Palace at www.smallmajority.co.uk . The video clip was kindly produced by Stirling based film production company Small Majority.
Interview with...
Gillian, what is your background?“I’ve worked for Historic Scotland for around
12 years and have been Executive Manager
at Stirling Castle for more than three.”
What does your role involve?“I look after the commercial and visitor
operations at Stirling Castle. It is an exciting
and challenging role, covering everything from
marketing and ticketing, to working with
partners in the wider tourism community.”
What is the Palace project?“The £12 million Palace project will return
the Palace at Stirling Castle back to how it
was in the mid-16th Century, to recreate the
vision of King James V. The refurbishment
has recreated the bright colours and opulent
décor of the period.
Gillian MacDonald, Executive Manager of Stirling Castle
In preparation for the grand opening
of the Palace in June, we have taken
on a year round team of costumed
interpreters to bring to life the 16th
Century atmosphere. We aim to make
the experience of visitors to the Castle
as fun and informative as possible,
with past feedback from visitors
indicating that they like interacting
with costumed interpreters.”
What did the refurbishment involve?“The main contract for building works was
awarded to Morris & Spottiswood, and for the
interiors, we enlisted a range of specialists,
including painters, a carver, a blacksmith and
embroiderers.
One very detailed element of the project
was the carving of the ‘Stirling Heads’ for the
ceiling of the King’s Inner Hall. The 34 original
heads will be displayed in cabinets in the first
floor gallery, so we commissioned a local carver
to recreate them out of oak for the ceiling. The
stunning new heads are now in place and
have been painted, as they would have been
in the 16th Century. These heads took carver
John Donaldson around five years to create.
A series of seven colourful tapestries were
also commissioned, depicting the tale of ‘The
Hunt of the Unicorn’. Teams in Stirling Castle
and at the West Dean studio in Sussex are
working on the tapestries, which individually
take 2-3 years to complete. This work is
ongoing, with the final tapestry due to be
hung in 2013.
The Scottish company awarded the contract
for painting the interior brought in some extra
help in the form of a team of French painters
– just as James V did in the 16th Century!”
What impact do you think the Palace project will have on the number of visitors to Stirling Castle?“We are already one of Stirling’s biggest
visitor attractions, with around 380,000
visitors per annum. We expect the Palace
refurbishment and improvements to visitor
infrastructure to increase visitor numbers
by around 20 per cent in the first year,
averaging out at 440,000 visitors per annum.
The refurbished Palace will add to Stirling’s
reputation as a world-class visitor destination.”
What other improvements are being made to visitor infrastructure at the Castle?“In addition to the £12 million Palace
project, we have improved our existing
visitor facilities, including:
Refurbishment of our three shops;
Construction of a new ticket office, with
new ticketing system allowing online
ticketing; and
Refurbishment of our café.
As part of the admission price, the audio tour
will now also be included. We want to provide
visitors with a good choice of interpretation,
including the audio, guided and themed tours;
as well as the costumed interpreters.”
9www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
10 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Spring Trade Fair on Tuesday 1�th AprilDue to the success of our first Trade Fair in September 2010,
the Executive Group of the Panel has brought forward plans for
another Fair.
Don’t miss the Spring
Trade Fairin April
Executive Group contribution to StirlingMembers of the Executive Group support the activities of the Business Panel
in order to help improve the local business environment and make Stirling a
better place to do business.
Executive Group members give up their time to carry out these duties. They
attend quarterly meetings, and spend time planning and preparing our events
to ensure their smooth running on the day.
They have also participated in meetings with Stirling Council, on subjects that
are of clear importance to the local business community, including roads,
parking, business space, city centre revitalisation and the provision of training
and skills locally. A number of Executive Group members, including Panel
Chairman, Tony Moulsdale, sit on the Stirling Economic Partnership, to ensure
the business view is not overlooked.
The Spring Trade Fair will be held on Tuesday
12th April.
We are fortunate to again have access to
Strathallan House in Castle Business Park for
the Fair. In addition to the 50 + exhibition
stands, we will also be holding ‘Speed
Networking’ sessions in the morning and
afternoon.
Speed networking allows participants
to engage on a one-to-one basis with a
number of businesses within a short space of
time. Typically, around 50 businesses can be
seen in 90 minutes.
We will be holding two sessions for local
businesses, one in the morning and one in
the afternoon.
If there are particular synergies with some
of those businesses, discussions can be
continued after the session or appointments
made, which it is hoped will lead to business.
Janet Torley of ‘Events for Business’ will
facilitate these networking sessions
Once again, we are grateful for the support that
the Panel has received for this event from our
sponsors, Central FM and the Stirling Observer.
Catering will be available throughout the day,
again provided by students from the Forth
Valley College campus at Raploch.
You can register to attend by visiting the
Panel website, www.stirlingbusinesspanel.org
or telephoning 01786 443172 .
Business Panel now tweets!Stirling Business Panel recently joined Twitter as a way of
helping to communicate information to local businesses
and give updates on what is going on locally that is likely
to be of interest to them.
As the use of online social networking by businesses
increases, we are trying to ensure that the Panel keeps up
and explores all ways that it can help the local business
community in a cost effective manner.
We are also looking at developing
a Facebook page for the Panel and
will make the membership aware of
progress later this year.
If you are already on Twitter you can find us by
searching for #BusinessPanel.
STIRLING BUSINESS PANEL
11www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Not already a Business Panel member?
Please contact Bill Fortune (Business Partnership
Executive – Stirling Council) on 0178� ���17�,
email [email protected] or join online at
www.stirlingbusinesspanel.org
Stirling Business Panel– the next two years
At the inception of the Business Panel in 2009, the Executive
Group took part in a workshop to define the purpose of the
Panel and to shape the direction that the Panel should take for
its first two years of existence.
Despite the best efforts of the weather to prevent it, another
workshop was held in January (it was originally scheduled
for December). The group reviewed progress since 2009, but
more importantly, looked to the future and at ways for the
Panel to improve.
Although there will be another meeting to iron out the fine
detail, some of the points that are receiving immediate
attention are improvements to communication through social
networking mediums and the development of an events
programme, which can be published well in advance.
We hope to be in a position to launch a programme of
activities/events at the Trade Fair in April.
By combining live events with improvements to online
networking, it is hoped that more members can become
engaged in Panel activities throughout the year and not just
when we run our Survey or biannual trade events.
MEMBER PROFILEPaul Stephen,
Partner of James F Stephens Architects
Founded thirty-four years ago
in Glamis and present in Stirling
since 1996, James F Stephens
employs around 30 staff between its two offices.
Paul Stephen is a Chartered Architect Partner with the business
and manages the Stirling office. Until recently, he was president of
the Stirling Society of Architects, a Vice-President of RIAS and was
elected as a “Fellow” of Royal Institute of Architects (RIAS) in 2009.
More recently, Paul was nominated and accepted as one of twelve
architects on the RIAS Panel of Adjudicators for Scotland. This is a
prestigious appointment as there are only twelve adjudicators for
all of Scotland.
He continues to be a visiting lecturer in Professional Studies &
Management for the Faculty of Architecture at the University of
Dundee, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.
Paul joined the Business Panel not only to seek business
opportunities in the Stirling area, but also to help make a wider
audience in Scotland aware of the capabilities that exist within the
local business community in Stirling.
Often overlooked by our big city neighbours, Paul feels that Stirling
businesses have a lot to offer, if the profile of the area and its
business community can be raised locally and further afield.
On the current economic situation, Paul feels positive about the
future business prospects when conditions improve. Although
the business regrettably lost staff during the downturn, the wide
range of work undertaken by the practice meant that reductions
were kept to a minimum.
This has allowed the business to be well placed to take early
advantage of any upturn in trading conditions.
In fact, having completed contracts in Salamanca in Spain and in
Rome, the business is currently pursuing international contracts, in
addition to other work in Scotland.
As well as running the Stirling office, Paul has two children aged
two and a half and four months, so is kept busy, at home as well
as in the office!
�010 Annual Business PanelSurvey resultsBecause of the terrible weather throughout December, we decided
to keep our third Annual Survey open until the end of January.
Many businesses were more focused on keeping going than
completing a survey, no matter how important the results.
As a result, Survey results will not be published until April, slightly
later than normal.
What’s your story?We continue to invite local businesses to contact the Panel at
[email protected] with any stories that they think
might be of interest to the local business community.
So if you have a story to tell, please get in touch. Don’t be shy!
www.stirlingbusinesspanel.org
1� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Special feature
Interview with Terry Quinn, Clydesdale Bank
Stirling Eye met up with Terry Quinn, Business Development Partner
at the Clydesdale Bank’s Financial Solutions Centre in Stirling
to find out more about accessing finance through the banks…
Terry, are the banks really
open for business?
“The Clydesdale Bank is definitely
open for business. We have made
a commitment to lend £1 billion
to the local business community in
Scotland over the next year.
While some of our competitors
have largely halted lending; for
example taking asset finance
personnel off the road, we are
actively looking for opportunities
to assist businesses to grow and
/ or make asset purchases.
Our Financial Solutions Centre
at Ochil House, Springkerse
Business Park, Stirling, is a local
decision making centre providing
a one-stop shop for business
banking needs. We are happy
to provide free advice to any
trading business.“
Who will the banks lend to?
“Fundamentally, banks are about
lending to people, not accounts.
For this reason, it is important for
people to present themselves and
their business appropriately. We
look for viable business people
with strong ideas and a really good
business plan. Ideally these people
have already talked their business
plan through with a financial
accountant, giving their proposal the
best chance possible.
Businesses should be realistic about
the finance they are looking for.
While the Clydesdale Bank has access
to funds, we are also a business and
there does need to be evidence of
how there will be a return on the
finance. If in doubt, we are always
happy to talk through your needs,
particularly if you believe you have a
strong case.”
Are there common pitfalls
that businesses should avoid
when applying for funding?
“Yes, to avoid them, I suggest you:
lKnow exactly what you want
a loan for – show what your
needs are and demonstrate how
arranged finance will meet them.
lDon’t make significant changes
to your business, personnel or
otherwise before applying for a
business loan. The bank wants to
see evidence of stability in your
business.
Can businesses do anything
to speed up applications to
the bank?
“Yes, my advice is:
lSeek advice from the bank as
early as possible – don’t leave
it until a matter of days before
a deal needs to be done.
l Enlist the help of a trusted
accountant to review your
business plan and ensure your
financials are in place.
They can also work with the
bank to get a deal on line.
lHave financial information
up-to-date and professionally
prepared. Present tangible
financial information, e.g.
projected profit and loss
accounts and cash flow
projections.
l Consider if your bank has
access to funds and is able to
lend or make decisions locally.
lCome to the bank with a clear
business plan – you need to
help the bank understand your
plans. Make sure you provide
detailed information and
never assume the bank has
detailed prior knowledge of
your business.”
lMake sure business financial
information is in place.
Around 50 per cent of clients
I see do not have them up-
to-date before they come to
the bank. Banks operate with
complete confidentiality and
will not share this information,
but they do require it in order
to process applications.
lPresent yourself and
your ideas in a fit and
proper manner. Dressing
appropriately and presenting a
strong business case helps to
instill trust.
lHave equity in the project or
business for which you are
looking for finance. If not,
the bank will question your
commitment.
lMake sure you have a solid
business plan, including
supporting financial
information. You need to
demonstrate the business
vision, how it will operate and
how it will make money. I
always recommend businesses
get professional advice on
their plan before approaching
the bank.”
To contact the Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centre, please call
01786 445333 or email [email protected] .
www.cbonline.co.uk
1�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Tips on accessing finance
Case study: Albion Drilling Group, Stirling
Stirling based Albion Drilling Group is one of the UK’s largest
independent drilling contractors, specialising in drilling,
geotechnical engineering and piling.
Albion recently completed work on Europe’s largest on-shore wind
farm at Whitelees, Galston. They blasted 5.7 million tonnes of rock
onsite, to be used for the 92 km of roads to the turbines.
Stirling Eye met up with Managing Director Eamond Murray to find out
more about a recent finance application…
Eamond, why did you approach the banks for
funding?“Following a period of rapid growth between 2005 and 2008, we
needed to increase our overdraft facility in line with the increase
in turnover. We need to finance operations for 2-3 months ahead
to cover the time taken for work to be completed, clients invoiced
and payments received. We applied to extend our overdraft, but
unfortunately, this coincided with the credit crunch and our bank was
unable to accommodate our request.
As the recession also had an impact on the construction industry and
we began to find things a bit tight, increasing our overdraft facility
became even more important.
In the end, we switched to the Clydesdale Bank, who offered us a
combined package consisting of increased overdraft facility and a
five-year term loan. Splitting the finance between an overdraft and
loan means that we don’t get into a situation where we are constantly
overdrawn while the economy returns to normal. And it suits the bank
as they have security that the loan will be repaid within five years.”
How important has the finance been?“Crucial. As the construction industry slowed down, it was critical in
enabling us to finance operations and take on new contracts.
While I expect things to remain tight for the next year or two, we have
a steady stream of contracts across the UK, including the M80/A80
upgrade and more work at Whitelees Windfarm. We also expect a
boost when work begins on the new Forth crossing.”
www.albiondrillinggroup.com
For dates of future free business Lunch & Learn sessions, please check the events section of Stirling University
Inovation Park’s website www.suip.co.uk .
How not to raise financeStirling Eye recently attended a Lunch & Learn session at
Stirling University Innovation Park on ‘How not to raise
finance’. The session included a presentation by The Company
Creators, a specialist business helping companies raise finance
and develop strategies.
The main elements of the Scottish funding market were
reported as consisting of:
l Equity finance – A small market with Scottish Enterprise
the largest single provider. Some equity available through
investment angels, but most goes into existing portfolios.
l Debt finance – available through banks, such as overdrafts,
cash flow maintenance, convertible and redeemable loans
and trading finance.
l Public sector finance – centred on funds available
through Scottish Enterprise, e.g. SEED, Co-investment and
Venture Funds.
Tips provided on preparing to apply for finance:
l Businesses should ensure they have experienced and
credible Director(s) and a personal financial commitment.
l Businesses should remember that investors WILL investigate
many things, such as financial projections, existing cash
flow and information on market opportunities.
l When planning an application, businesses should test key
assumptions, ensure they are asking for the correct amount
(not too little, not too much) and show security available for
lenders.
Tips provided on approaching prospective
backers
Businesses should:
l Present a punchy summary of their
business plan, based around the
‘three p’s’ – people, product (service)
and proposition.
l Double source their banking and
research those interested in
their sector. Getting help from
another organisation, such as a
consultant or accountant was also
recommended.
www.companycreators.co.uk
1� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
The successful premises are: Drouthy
Neebors, Albion Bar, Fubar, Corn Exchange,
Sportsters (Sports Bar & Diner), City Walls,
No.2 Baker Street, Morrisons (Cold Beer
Company) and Spingkerse View. In order
to achieve Best Bar None accreditation the licensees had to successfully
meet the scheme’s demanding criteria demonstrating and evidencing
effective management against twenty one core criteria, including staff
training, fire safety, crime prevention and compliance with trading
standards legislation.
‘Best Bar None’ is the UK’s largest accreditation scheme for licensed
premises. Now in it’s fifth year in Stirling, the scheme is open to all types
and sizes of city centre licensed pubs, bars and nightclubs.
Stirling Councillor Steven Paterson said: “By participating in this
nationally recognised scheme, licensees are making a real difference
to the residents of and visitors to Stirling’s city centre. They are clearly
demonstrating their genuine commitment to their customer’s safety
and well being, whilst also enhancing the city centre’s well established
reputation as a safe and vibrant place to be at night.”
The Best Bar None scheme currently operates in over twenty cities and
towns throughout Scotland and is recognised by the Scottish Government
as the benchmark of good practice for working with the licensed trade to
30 second interviewName: Mandy Flaws
Job title: Owner
Business: BeaDiverse, Stirling Enterprise Park
Brief company description: Sale of beads, findings, charms, threads and wires, as well as handcrafted jewellery. I
also hold jewellery-making workshops.
How do you get to work? Car
Where is your favourite place to eat out? Why? The Hollybank on Glasgow Road, Stirling. You always get great fresh, home cooked food.
What do you think the Stirling area could I think it would really benefit by offering more free activities and ‘places to go’ for
most benefit from? under 25s.
What is your favourite colour? Red
What is the best thing about doing business It is a central location, has a well-connected transport service and a wide catchment
in Stirling? area.
What do you think the biggest issue is for Overheads and property rental, I would love to have a shop in the town but as a new
businesses in the Stirling area? business could never afford it.
What is the biggest issue for your business? Getting established and the expense of marketing.
What is your favourite shop? My own - BeaDiverse, I’m like a kid in a sweetie shop and there isn’t another dedicated
bead shop in the area.
What is your greatest ambition? To do well enough in my business so I can employ staff, to establish the company and
build a reputation for good products and customer service.
BeaDiverse: 0178� ��9��� www.beadiverse.co.uk
Best Bar None Awards 2010
achieve good standards across a range of evening economy policies
and practices.
The management and implementation of the scheme is undertaken
by a working group, which comprises key stakeholders of Stirling’s
Community Planning Partnership. These are Central Scotland Fire &
Rescue Service, Central Scotland Police, Safer Cities Initiative, Stirling
Council (Trading Standards) and Forth Valley Alcohol & Drugs Partnership.
Planning has begun for Stirling’s 2011 Best Bar None scheme. For
further information please contact Peter Walker (Safer Cities Co-ordinator,
Stirling Council) on 01786 443137, email [email protected] .
Nine of Stirling’s city centre licensed premises successfully gained a highly acclaimed ‘Best Bar None’ award in 2010.
1�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Friends of DunblaneFriends of Dunblane received £900 towards producing promotional leaflets for the recently
refurbished Dunblane Museum. Following Heritage Lottery funding the much enlarged
museum now includes a stunning new building and houses a collection of fascinating
artefacts, paintings, prints and photographs about the Cathedral and Dunblane.
The support from the Tourism Development Grant enabled the Friends to produce a
colourful leaflet aimed at visitors promoting Dunblane Museum, Dunblane Cathedral and
the Leighton Library, Scotland’s oldest private library.
Feature - Tourism Development Grant SchemeStirling Council runs a tourism small grant scheme, which is designed to encourage collaboration between local tourism businesses and to develop innovative tourism products and improve the local tourism product offering. Recent awards been made to a diverse range of tourism businesses.
1�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
If you are involved in a collaborative tourism project, which might be eligible for support,
you can contact Jason Clark (Tourism Executive, Stirling Council) for more information and an
application form. Jason can be contacted on 01786 442532 or email [email protected] .
Love Loch LomondLove Loch Lomond is a recently formed industry led destination organisation that works on a
collaborative basis to capitalise on the areas strong tourism potential by marketing the area as a
must see year round destination through its new website www.lovelochlomond.com .
The new industry-led organisation aims to transform the way tourism services are delivered
and promoted in and around the Loch Lomond area. They have recieved £475, towards
development of the web portal.
Loch Earn Tourism Initiative
Local eventsLocal events have also benefited, The
Callander Jazz & Blues Festival received
£2,000 towards bus hire, marketing and PR
costs for the expanded 2010 Festival.
Graham Oliphant, Festival Director, said: “The
2010 Festival greatly benefited from Stirling
Council’s Tourism Grant. It enabled us to
provide a free bus service to all the outlying
festival venues in both the Trossachs and
rural Stirlingshire. The grant also allowed
us to increase and extend our promotional
activity to mainland Europe resulting in
increased visitor numbers to the event.”
The Trossachs Mushroom Festival was
awarded £2,000, towards marketing and PR
costs for the 2010 Festival.
Loch Earn Tourism Initiative (LETI )
recently received £2,000 towards
website content enhancement,
link building and PR for the
www.robroycountry.com website.
LETI is funded by accommodation
and hospitality business owners
living and working in the villages
of Strathyre, Lochearnhead and
Balquhidder. Annual membership
fees and volunteers help to
maintain the website.
Kim Proven from LETI said: “Thanks to our
Tourism Development Grant we are able to
plan and experiment with PR and marketing
projects that will result in fresh content,
more inbound and reciprocal links, maps,
press campaigns, business pages and
social networking. We also aim to test
key word advertising soon.“
“We are sure that we will attract more
website traffic, which we can easily
measure against results from last year. Our
aim is to attract more day trippers and holiday
makers to visit, spend and return to this
stunning area of central Scotland that we are
all very proud of.”
1� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Business space developments
Industrial
Munro RoadJ & E Shepherd has confirmed that space is gradually being taken up in Muddy Field’s new build
development in Munro Road, Springkerse Industrial Estate. Three units are now occupied with the latest
occupier, J & G Environmental, taking 376 sq m (4,050 sq ft) of space.
For more information on remaining space at Munro Road, please contact Sandy Falconer of J & E
Shepherd on 01786 450438, email [email protected] or John Quinn on
07876 658980, email [email protected] .
Whitehouse Road J & E Shepherd has also confirmed that a substantial new build
speculative industrial development (with limited trade counter
consent) in Whitehouse Road is scheduled to start on site in April,
with completion expected by November 2011.
The development will extend to 3,530 sq m (38,000 sq ft) and
will provide a range of units from 116 sq m (1,250 sq ft). Quoting
rental is £65 per sq m (£6 per sq ft) and flexible lease terms are
being offered.
Ogilvie are constructing the units on behalf of the Fergusson Group,
who are headquartered at nearby Castlecraig Business Park.
For details on lease opportunities at Whitehouse Road, please
contact Ian Fergusson or Sandy Falconer of J & E Shepherd on
01786 450438, email [email protected]
or [email protected] .
IMEX Business CentreThe Salvation Army recently took up an additional two units at
Imex Business Park, Broadleys.
Andrew Peel of letting agents Graham & Sibbald commented: “To
achieve the letting of six units to the Salvation army has proved
a massive boost to Imex Business Centre in the challenging
economic climate. Although small office space remains, the
workshop space within the Centre is now fully let.”
Information on remaining space within Imex Business Centre is
available from Andrew Peel of Graham & Sibbald on
01786 463111, email [email protected] .
Bandeath Industrial EstateGraham & Sibbald has been appointed joint letting agent along
with Ryden for the Stirling Development Agency’s industrial space
at Bandeath Industrial Estate, Throsk. More information on lease
opportunities are available from Andrew Peel of Graham & Sibbald
on 01786 463111, email [email protected] or Neil McAllister of
Ryden on 0131 225 6612, email [email protected] .
Planning applications updateThe following planning applications with a significant business focus have
been submitted to Stirling Council since the last edition of Stirling Eye
(November 2010) and are still being considered, pending a decision:
l An application by Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd for erection
of extension to existing store including a mezzanine floor (to
accommodate new café), new entrance lobby, revised service yard
access, associated car parking and landscaping (2,700 sq m gross
increase from existing floorspace) at Sainsbury’s, Back O’Hill Road,
Stirling.
l An application by the Angling Centre Stirling Ltd for a new angling
centre with residential accommodation above (388 sq m) on land
north and adjacent to Craigforth roundabout, Stirling.
l An application by Gladman Developments Limited for erection of
a mixed use development comprising Class 4 business use, Class
1 retail store, petrol filling station and associated access, parking
and other works and environmental improvements (3,900 sq m
supermarket, 4,000 sq m gross offices) on land near Dunblane
Cemetery, Barbush.
The following planning applications have been approved:
l An application by Hemga Ltd for change of use from Class 1
retail to Class 3 deli and café (72 sq m) at 37 Thistles Centre, Stirling.
l An application by HSBC Bank Plc for change of use from Class 1
to Class 2 and alterations to shop front (303 sq m) at 6 Murray
Place, Stirling.
The following planning application has been supported in principle but is
subject to detailed negotiations to draw up planning agreements:
lAn application by Allan Water Developments Plc for erection of a
supermarket (6,064 sq m) at the site of the former MFI furniture
store, Maitland Crescent, St Ninian’s, Stirling.
Planning applications correct at start February �011.
Planning schedules can be viewed at
www.stirling.gov.uk/planningschedule
17www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Looking for commercial property? Visit www.stirling.gov.uk/property
Gladstone Place, StirlingProperty agents J
& E Shepherd are
relocating in April to
refurbished offices
at Gladstone Place, Stirling. They are also acting
on behalf of the owner, Kings Park Properties,
in relation to remaining office space extending
to 145 sq m (1,560 sq ft) available for lease in
whole or part.
Further information on remaining space is
available from Sandy Falconer of J & E Shepherd
on 01786 450438, email sandy.falconer@
shepherd.co.uk.
Office
Case study: Barracks, ForthsideStirling Eye caught up with property agents Peter Fleming of Montagu Evans and
Andrew Peel of Graham & Sibbald to find out more about space being marketed at
the Barracks in Forthside, Stirling…
Where are the Barracks?“The Barracks are located within the Forthside area of Stirling,
between Stirling railway station and the River Forth. Recent
developments at Forthside include a multi-screen cinema,
restaurants, and housing. The 16 hectare (40 acre) development is
regenerating the banks of the River Forth and the new pedestrian
bridge provides access over the railway lines to the Barracks.”
What current opportunities are there?“There are a total of five historic Barracks buildings, offering
approximately 4,645 sq m (50,000 sq ft) of space, suitable for a
variety of uses including offices.”
What recent occupiers have you had?“Barrack A was sold to provide the headquarters for Volunteer
Development Scotland and the first floor of Barrack B was
recently let to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.”
Success for Innovation Park’s rent-a-desk initiativeStirling University Innovation Park (SUIP) has launched
a new initiative to help young ambitious companies
achieve their potential.
The scheme offers small businesses the benefits of a
large established company with reception facilities,
administration services, meeting rooms and on-site coffee shop.
Lynn Blaikie, SUIP, said: “I realised from our enquiries that sole traders, start-up and small
companies were experiencing difficulty in procuring the type of space they required at a cost
they could afford. I looked at how we could help and came up with the Rent-a-Desk concept
which offers an all–inclusive package in a shared office environment.”
The Rent-a-Desk initiative offers flexible accommodation, broadband access, telephone,
utilities and business rates at an all-inclusive cost of £150 per month.
One of the companies involved in the initial piloting of the rent-a-desk initiative was
software and consultancy company Pracius Ltd. Alan Douglas, owner, said: “Operating from
a working office environment is focused and productive. However what also makes Rent-a-
Desk so worth while, is the whole atmosphere of the Innovation Park. There’s the buzz of
other businesses, the good coffee shop, the gym at the University, and during the summer a
quick walk to the Loch to help recharge the batteries.”
For more information, please visit www.suip.co.uk .
What improvement works are being carried out?“Following the letting to the Water Industry Commission for
Scotland, the Landlords, CTP Ltd have undertaken a comprehensive
refurbishment of Barrack B, with the ground floor also being
brought up to a high standard of office accommodation. All ground
works around the buildings have also been completed, further
improving the appearance of the site.”
How are enquiries holding up?“There are a number of ongoing enquiries and we hope to
announce details in the near future.”
To find out more on lease or sale opportunities at the Barracks please contact Peter Fleming of Montagu Evans on 0131 229 3800, email [email protected] or Andrew Peel of Graham & Sibbald on 0178� ���111, email [email protected] .
Work in progress at the Barracks.
Business space developments
Ceteris case study Stirling Eye met up with Angela
Ogilvie, Operations Director of Ceteris
to find out more about serviced office
accommodation at Springfield House,
Laurelhill Business Park, Stirling…
Angela, what is Ceteris?“Ceteris is a Private Company Limited by guarantee. We own
and manage 250,000 sq ft of flexible business accommodation
in Stirling and Clackmannanshire, deliver Business Gateway in
Clackmannanshire and run Gean House, a conference centre in Alloa.”
Can you tell us more about Springfield House?“We acquired Springfield House at Laurelhill Business Park, Stirling,
nine years ago. We chose the building because of its high quality
design and strategic location in Kings Park, close to the city centre.
The double height entrance and unusual cherry wood spiral staircase
are particularly impressive.
Originally open-plan, we subdivided the building to provide bespoke
space to individual requirements. Services include conferencing
facilities and reception services, through to cleaning, franking
and photocopying. Joan and Isobel, our
reception staff, are excellent and their helpful attitude and
warm and friendly manner are an essential part of our service.
We currently have 10 tenants at Springfield House, employing over
80 people.”
Has the recession had an impact?“We lost one or two bigger tenants, but we have adapted to
changing needs, redeveloping and subdividing suites to meet
demand for smaller space. Things are improving and our occupancy
is now up to 90 per cent.”
Do you have available space in Stirling?“We are currently marketing 1,300 sq ft of space, with units ranging
from 207 sq ft to 323 sq ft. We can be flexible with the space
provided, for example, combining units.
We provide flexible quarter-to-quarter agreements; though longer
agreements can be accommodated if required; and services can be
included in the rent.”
Tenant case studies…
Name of business: The Leadership FactoryAbout the business: Established in 2007, The Leadership Factory provides businesses with
organisational development support. Their team of qualified coaches cover all functional disciplines and
work with organisations such as Scottish Enterprise, Alexander Dennis and Nick Nairn’s Cook School.
Why located at Springfield House: Dr Andy Kelly, Director, said: “We chose to locate here
in 2010 because it is central, less than five minutes from the motorway, has easy parking and provides a
quiet site. In addition, the offices are fully serviced with reception, admin support and meeting rooms.”
www.leadershipfactory.co.uk
Name of business: Cloud Street LtdAbout the business: Cloud Street design and build database applications, business management
systems and data-driven web sites, using Microsoft Access and SQL Server database platforms. They work with
a range of businesses across the UK, from small businesses through to Coca-Cola Enterprises.
Why located at Springfield House: Paul Midgely, Managing Director, said: “We are doubling the size
of our development team and have moved into a bigger office at Springfield House. We liked the professional
look and feel of the offices and the pleasant location. Factoring in all the services, we have secured a really
competitive package.”
www.cloudstreet.co.uk
To find out more about available serviced office accommodation at Springfield House, Laurelhill Business Park, please
contact Angela Ogilvie on 01259 721454.
18 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
19www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy 19
Stirling Council works with Lynne Jones
Research to produce an annual visitor
perception study. The research is based on
an electronic survey, which is emailed to
visitors after they return home. The overall
number of email addresses collected from
visitors to Stirling city in 2009/2010 was
3,750, with 1,293 actual survey responses, a
response rate of 34 per cent.
The survey reported an overall positive
performance in 2009/10. Customer
service throughout the city showed an
improvement with higher scores than the
previous year. Whilst cleanliness in the city
took a small dip, the overall rating of visitors
experience remains high.
Latest City of Stirling Visitor Survey published
19www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Key findingsl Overseas visitors remain the largest overall group (43%) up from 39% in 2008/09.
Visitors from England (22%) were mostly from the North West and South East and a
third of all visitors were from within Scotland.
l North America remains key with 30% of the overseas sample; Germany and Spain
are increasingly important European markets.
l Stirling Castle remains a major influence in the decision to visit Stirling; history is a
key driver, especially for overseas visitors.
l Stirling continues to attract a high percentage of first time visitors (57%).
l In terms of age profile, visitors aged between 25 and 34 was the most common
age group.
l Those staying in Stirling stayed an average of 2.6 nights, up slightly on last
year’s figure of 2.5 nights.
l Accommodation offering is highly rated, 86% of staying visitors had their
accommodation expectations matched or exceeded during their stay.
However, this is a decrease of five per cent on last year.
l Private and rented car remain most popular means of visiting (73%).
Trains were used by 14% although 20% of overseas visitors arrived by
train compared to only 10% of UK visitors.
l The survey again highlighted Stirling as key gateway to the Loch
Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, as well as a leading short
break destination in its own right.
The city’s historical connection and its
world-class attractions continue to be
important assets and key drivers. In fact, the
significance of Stirling Castle in attracting
visitors to the city appears greater than
previous years with 73 per cent of visitors
indicating that the castle had been a factor
influencing their decision to visit.
The accommodation offering overall is
highly rated. However, satisfaction with
service decreased slightly compared with
previous years. Watch points continue to
be the eating and drinking experience.
Although responses on eating out
establishments in terms of service was up
on previous years, day visitors appear to be
least impressed
by the quality of
food.
An area of
concern is the
reduction in visitors walking around the
city, down from 71 per cent to 56 per cent.
This may be having a negative impact
on the local economy. Overnight visitors
spend appears to be down both for UK and
overseas visitors, while day visitor spend is
up slightly.
The results of the latest 12-month survey
(July 2009 to August 2010) are available at
www.stirling.gov.uk/visitorsurvey .
Tourism is vital to Stirling’s economy, accounting for over £374 million of revenue in
2009. A clear understanding of visitor perceptions of the city and our tourism offering is
key. What are the key drivers for our visitors in making the decision to come to Stirling?
Where do they come from? How do they rate our visitor attractions, accommodation,
food and drink offering, transport, information provision, parking, transport,
cleanliness and customer service?
Retail update
Retail updateScotland’s retail sector is worth £�� billion
to the economy and accounts for around
��0,000 jobs. Across Scotland, retail growth
has been slowing, vacancy rates increasing
and average rental levels decreasing due to
the recession (Scottish Town Centres; GVA
Grimley, �010).
In Stirling city centre, prime retail rents
and yields decreased between �009 and
�010. There was also an increase in vacant
retail property, although there has been
improvement since the start of the year.
On a positive note, Stirling city centre has
improved its VenueScore retail ranking,
moving up to sixth place in Scotland from
seventh (Stirling City Centre; DTZ, �010).
Impact of the recessionAndy Kennedy, Stirling City Centre Manager, made comment on the
impact of the recession on Stirling city centre…
Sector feature
“The recession saw a `perfect storm`
for town and city centres. Already
suffering from changes in consumer
behaviour, growth of internet retailing
and increased costs of operation within
town centres, the recession resulted in
a UK wide reduction in footfall.
By mid 2009 the effects of the storm
were clear in the number of vacant
units appearing throughout UK town
and city centres. In 2009 alone 9,500
retail businesses closed and 7,500
national chain units also closed,
creating vacancy levels in some towns
of 35 per cent. Stirling’s city centre
vacancy rate peaked at 13.5 per cent
in March 2009, below the national
average of 15 per cent.
The recession also affected the pub
and restaurant trade in town and city
centres. At the peak of the recession
an average of three pubs per week
were closing. In addition, significant
change in the licensing laws and new
responsibilities through legislation
had brought increased burden on
individual operators.
The recession also meant that
a number of major town centre
schemes were put on hold or ceased
altogether. This issue has still to
be resolved and new financial
mechanisms are being debated to
reinvigorate necessary mixed use
development in town centres.
As the recession eased slightly in 2010,
businesses were hit with additional
costs through increased business rates.
The increase saw implementation of
a commercial property revaluation,
Winter weather…Colin Moulson, Manager of Stirling’s Thistles Shopping
Centre made comment on the winter weather…
“December was the coldest on record and Stirling experienced some of the
heaviest snow fall in living memory. It may come as a surprise then that
December 2010 was one of the best on record for the
Thistles Centre.”
“Customer numbers were up by around 10 per
cent on December 2009, with the extreme winter
weather benefiting us in a number of ways.
Confidence in internet purchasing dropped as
many large retailers announced that they
could not guarantee Christmas delivery. The
weather related disruption to the road and rail
networks also meant that a lot of local people
decided to do their Christmas shopping in
Stirling, instead of Edinburgh or Glasgow.”
www.thethistles.com
�0 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Interview with Iain McCarren, Store Manager, SlatersStirling Eye met up with Iain McCarren, Store
Manager of Slaters in Stirling, to find out more
about retailing in the current climate…
Iain, can you tell us more about Slaters?“Slaters is a family owned national retailer. Slaters’ Stirling store opened around four years ago
and employs 16 people. We specialise in menswear, hirewear and corporate wear, supplying
uniforms to local businesses such as car garages, the Terraces Hotel, Doubletree by Hilton
Dunblane Hydro, the Aurora Hotel Group and the University of Stirling.
Our clientele range from the very young to the older generation. We have been getting more
young people in for suits during the prom season, so we have extended our range to offer more
slim fitting suits too.
The ethos of Slaters is quality goods with discounted branded names; vast selection of
menswear; value for money with goods sold below the recommended retail price; and, ‘quality
of service’ – our unique selling point!”
How do you ensure quality of service?“Having the right staff is very important. Our staff are enthusiastic, well
trained and empowered. Our model is based on repeat business and we
aim to make customers feel comfortable, allowing people to browse or
spend time with staff, no matter how big or small their purchase.
We also have local discretion; so on the rare occasion that there is
a customer issue, our staff take measures to resolve these to the
customer’s satisfaction. Customers work hard for their money and the
least they should expect is good service.
Other elements that make our business model a success are providing free alterations
at time of purchase or at a later date, and, an excellent refund and exchange returns policy.”
Has the economic downturn or VAT increase impacted upon sales?“We started to notice a change in 2008, following the collapse of Northern Rock at the end of 2007.
Every trade was affected, but on a positive note, we haven’t lost as much as we initially expected.
We have worked harder with the customers we have, and despite the recession, many of our 25
stores have grown over the last couple of years.
In Stirling, we had a slight drop in sales, but things improved last year and we were up on the
previous year.
We did not have any decrease in sales in January as a result of the VAT increase. I suspect that it
will affect all businesses to some degree, but I don’t think it will have a great impact on Slaters.
One change is that more customers are paying for goods in cash, rather than on credit card.
People are being more conscientious about what they spend, but I think confidence in the
market is returning.”
www.slaters.co.uk
Retail updateSector feature
which had taken place in early
2008. It resulted in businesses being
given an additional burden at a time
when revenues were low. The small
business rate relief scheme did help
a number of smaller businesses, but
many businesses in town centres did
not benefit due to the high perceived
values of town centre premises.
Stirling is now seeing improvement,
with a current vacancy rate of eight
per cent and this is set to drop further
due to property occupations that are
still to be finalised. We do have a
particular issue with King Street. It has
been suffering for a number of years
from significant vacancy, but other
areas are healthy relative to other
town and city centres.
We are working with property owners
and occupiers in King Street through the
Stirling City Heritage Trust, to improve
the appearance. However, it is also
the responsibility of property owners
generally to play a part in ensuring the
city centre can respond to the issues
and opportunities facing all core urban
areas in the next 5-10 years.
Business occupiers can also help
– the importance of customer service
and business presentation has never
been greater, and that starts before
a potential customer enters the
premises.”
See article on page 22 for Andy’s advice
on the presentation of shop fronts.
�1www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
The good, the bad and the uglyAndy Kennedy, Stirling City Centre Manager provided some tips on how retailers can
maximise the impact of their shop front to entice in customers. Andy’s key pointers are:
l Clean shop front --- Obvious but often
not ensured. People may take any excuse
not to come in and cleanliness is a key
influence
l Clear signage --- Is the main signage
cluttered and confusing or does it tell the
passer by the story in a few seconds?
l Accessible shop --- Is the product
restricting access especially for the
disabled or those with sight difficulties?
l Windows should not be cluttered --- Does
the window make sense and explain the
function of the business without obstruction?
l Colourful and eye catching --- Displays
should be constructed with different
heights/colours/product and draw the
eye.
l Fresh product --- Has the product been
in the window too long or is it fresh
and interesting? Is there something
different for the passerby to consider?
l Clear opening hours --- Are they
displayed prominently and clearly,
or is the customer entering the shop
with no idea of the time they can
dwell?
Sector feature Retail update
The good
l Good building condition --- The effort
made with the window display and all of
the above can be undermined totally by
the state of the building. `Good picture but
terrible frame`.
The bad
This picture shows a shop
front with clear accessibility
issues. The narrow doorway
is obstructed by products and
is not welcoming or inviting.
This doorway would be
difficult to manoeuvre say for
someone in a wheelchair or
pushing a buggy.
The ugly
This picture shows a dirty
shop front. This will put off
customers, people don’t want
to buy clothes or products
where there is any question
about cleanliness or hygiene.
This picture shows a window
where little effort has been
made to display products in
an organised, eye catching or
clear fashion.
This picture
shows an
example of
a clear and
eye-catching
shop front. It
is clear just
by glancing at
the sign what
the shop is
selling.
Using examples from outside the Stirling Council area, Andy commented on the following examples of good, bad and ugly shop fronts….
Andy Kennedy, City Centre Manager, played for Stirling Albion between 1976 and 1983. The photo shows Andy scoring a goal against Dumbarton at Annfield, Stirling Albion’s former ground, now a housing estate.
�� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Paul’s backgroundPaul has been interested in photography
and radio since he was a boy and his first
job was as a DJ on a radio station in Devon.
As Programme Director he went on to run
radio stations including Viking FM in Hull,
Galaxy 102 in Manchester and Vibe FM in
East Anglia.
When the Scottish Radio company that
owned Radio Clyde bought Vibe, Paul was
asked to come to Glasgow to head up Clyde
1 and Clyde 2. Once in Scotland, Paul met
his wife Sarah and they now have a young
daughter Katie.
In a 20 year radio career Paul worked with
a number of famous people including Cheryl
Cole, Bryan Adams, Paul Weller and Dannii
Minogue. His favourite experience though
was producing a programme with Stevie
Wonder who played piano and sang just for
Paul and the presenter Billy Sloan.
Starting up in businessPaul started up his businesses last summer.
He explained: “I wanted to work for myself
combining my passions for media and
photography. Running my own businesses
means that I can choose what I work on. I
love the creative side of media, but as I
moved higher up on the management side
of radio, I became further removed from this
side of work.”
“Throughout my career I’ve moved around
the UK, but feel very much at home in this
part of the world. Establishing my own
businesses has allowed me to become
more settled and Drymen is an ideal base,
with the stunning Loch Lomond scenery
and its excellent links to Stirling and
Glasgow.”
Paul did a lot of research before setting up
his businesses, and has spent time with
some of the UK’s leading photographers to
enhance his skills. Paul said: “In addition to
my own research and learning, I received
really useful advice from Business Gateway
in Stirling.”
Looking to the futurePaul aims to offer organisations a route
into the digital world with fresh, new,
creative ideas to make an impact. He
said: “Throughout 2011 I plan to increase
the number of businesses I work with in
the Stirling area, both as suppliers and as
clients.”
Paul’s advice to others starting out in
business is to make sure that they present
themselves creatively.
Paul said: “It’s actually easy to make an
impact, to stand tall of your competitors
just by taking a step back and thinking
differently.”
www.paulsaundersmedia.com
www.paulsaundersphotography.com
An example of Paul Saunders portrait photography
The Lonely Planet magazine recently featured one of Paul’s cityscapes taken in New York. ©
Pau
l Sau
nder
s Ph
otog
raph
y
Business profile Drymen based Paul Saunders runs two businesses – Paul Saunders
Media and Paul Saunders Photography.
Through his media business, Paul helps organisations
develop creative and powerful communication. He’s
already worked with a number of organisations including
Save The Children and Yorkhill Childrens Foundation
and produces videos and podcasts. Paul has also produced a series of weekly
podcasts for top Scottish comedian Des McLean which have received thousands of
downloads via I-Tunes.
Paul’s photography business specialises in portrait photography using natural
light. Paul uses clients homes, their gardens as well as parks to make a more
enjoyable photo shoot, which in turn produces better results.
Paul explained: “I’ve found that because so many people are fed up with studio shots,
using locations that are more personal makes for a much more relaxed shoot with images
that capture the personality of the subjects and produce beautiful pictures to treasure.”
Paul Saunders Media & Photography
��www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
© M
J Cl
ark
�� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
At your service Land Services Land Services At your service
LAND SERVICESLand Services maintain the horticultural and public amenity realm within the Stirling
Council boundary, as well as countryside sites to promote tourism, public safety, and
to generally enhance the appearance of the city and the surrounding countryside to
contribute to the economy of the area.
The service is extremely diverse, split over various Council buildings and can be contacted on 0845
277 7000, email [email protected].
Abandoned vehiclesIdentify and remove abandoned
vehicles on public land.
AllotmentsPromote the establishment of
allotments and public gardens.
Manage and maintain allotment
sites at Cornton Road, Bridge of
Allan and Bridgehaugh.
Contact 01786 443823.
BiodiversityBiodiversity is the variety of
life around us. Promotion of
biodiversity via free outdoor
events and action days, biological
recording and addressing factors
affecting rare and threatened
species and habitats.
CemeteriesProvide and maintain burial
grounds throughout the area at
62 separate sites including one
woodland burial site. Management
of a Memorial Mason Registration
Scheme ensures a consistent
standard of workmanship and
working practices in relation to
memorials at all cemeteries.
Contact 01786 442559.
The Land Services team provide a wide range of services, including:
Education and enforcementProvide educational talks and
promote educational campaigns.
Carry out the administration and
school inspections relating to the
Schools Litter Initiative Trophies,
awarded annually. Investigate
and enforce litter and fly tipping
offences, issuing fixed penalty
fines and/or submitting reports to
the Procurator Fiscal as necessary.
Provide educational talks and
promote educational campaigns.
Investigate and enforce litter and
fly tipping offences.
FisheriesStirling Council own the fishing
rights for salmon and sea trout
on parts of the River Forth and
the River Teith, providing a well-
managed public salmon fishery for
the benefit of both residents and
visitors, whilst promoting salmon
and sea trout conservation.
Contact 01786 442932.
Grounds maintenanceMaintenance of parks and open
space including trees and their
leaves, hedges, street furniture,
weeds and planted areas, open
space signage, seasonal grass
cutting, weed spraying and
vegetation clearance.
Parks and open spacesManage Stirling’s outdoors,
from urban parks and open
spaces to remote and wild areas
of land and water, to provide
opportunities for open-air
recreation. Develop masterplans
for the parks to transform them
to meet the needs of the whole
community and to provide leisure
and pleasure for residents, visitors
and tourists.
Play areas Safety inspections, repair and
maintainance of play equipment
in over 90 public play areas.
Ranger serviceRangers deal with countryside
access, biodiversity, environmental
education, and promote an
awareness and understanding of
the countryside, as well as caring
for and enhancing the natural
heritage enjoyed by visitors.
Street cleaning, litter and litter binsProvide a service for removal of
litter and street sweeping seven
days a week, targeting town
centres, neighbourhoods and main
thoroughfares, and the operation
of a graffiti removal service.
This groundwork is supported
by education awareness and
enforcement campaigns in the
battle against litter. The service is
also responsible for the provision
of all public litter bins.
WoodlandsManagement of woodlands,
which preserves the landscape
and supports the local economy.
Woodlands contribute to the
tourism industry as well as
supporting the craft, construction
and manufacturing industries.
National
It costs Stirling Council nearly £35,000 every week to keep the streets clean – that’s £1.8 million each year.
��www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Land Services At your service
Willie Clark and Stephen Kerr, Land Service Operatives.
What goes in to keeping the streets clean?It is a constant challenge keeping Stirling’s streets clean. A daily
challenge faced by Stephen Kerr, Willie Clark and their colleagues who
are out on the beat on our streets.
Their daily work involves gum removal, graffiti removal, clearing
leaves, litter picking, emptying litterbins and clearing fly tipping.
Power washing the streets and cleaning street furniture is also carried
out in the city centre to further enhance its appearance for businesses,
visitors and tourists. Stirling’s audited cleanliness score is higher than
the national average.
As well as their planned daily work, events often occur that require
immediate attention such as a recent oil spill.
In mid January, a call was received informing the team of an accident in
the city centre. The rising bollard on Port Street that keeps traffic out of
the pedestrianised area was lowered to provide access for a delivery van.
Unfortunately, even with warning signs in place, another vehicle tried to
creep in behind the van as the bollard raised. This ripped the oil sump
out of the vehicle and left oil all over the city centre pavement.
Stephen and Willie were at the scene within 20 minutes. They used
absorbent coconut husk shavings to absorb the oil. Once absorbed, the
debris was removed and the street was cleaned.
Stephen said: “We often have to react to priority incidents that impact
on our daily work. When we were called to the oil spill it was clear
that we had to work fast because of the health and safety implications
and for the sake of the public and businesses around us.“
Land Services Protection Officers
PROFILE
Name: Jim Fisher and Malcolm Roy
Role:To provide a high profile presence in public places to
discourage littering, dog fouling, fly posting, fly tipping,
graffiti and chewing gum dispersal to keep the streets clean
for residents, tourists and visitors, taking enforcement action
where necessary to promote litter prevention.
Current workload:Jim and Malcolm are the officers responsible for litter
enforcement and fly tipping enforcement for the whole of the
Stirling Council area.
They work on high profile enforcement campaigns such
as litter awareness week and dog fouling week. These
campaigns see the police and community wardens join Jim
and Malcolm to increase the amount of officers patrolling the
streets, issuing fixed penalty notices for litter and dog fouling
offences.
The biggest problem in the city centre is smoking related
litter. To ensure that this problem didn’t spiral out of control,
the officers proposed that all bins located in the city centre
should be those with ashtrays on top. This was implemented
and did improve the problem. However, this is still a major
issue with 95 per cent of city centre fines in 2010 relating to
smoking litter.
Fly tipping is also an issue that keeps Jim and Malcolm busy.
This is a problem in urban areas as well as the rural countryside.
Not only is fly tipping unsightly, it costs taxpayers money.
Officers investigate all instances of fly tipping as well as arrange
for its removal.
Jim and Malcolm also give educational talks to schools. They are
currently working on the cleaner routes to schools campaign and
the Land Services litter initiative trophy. These campaigns are
designed to educate pupils on litter and encourage them to take
an active role in improving their local area.
Spring Clean 14th March – 16th May 2011Scotland’s biggest annual clean up is back!There are various ways that your business or workplace can get
involved, by joining in a litter pick or donating equipment, refreshments
or prizes to litter pickers. A litter pick can also be a great team-building
exercise and businesses can build good community relationships whilst
making a positive and visible difference to the area.
For more information, please call 01786 443555
or email [email protected].
�� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
New wedding venue with a difference
© K
ingd
om P
hoto
s
The Stirling Wedding Show – matching local brides to local businessesIs your business involved in the multi-million pound wedding industry? Then you may be
interested in attending the Stirling Wedding Show in the Albert Halls. As Stirling Eye
went to print, final preparations were being made for the Show on March 27th. There
will also be a Show on September 18th this year. Now in its third year, the event has
grown rapidly to become the biggest event of its kind in the Central Region, and
this year has attracted support from the Scottish Wedding Directory, the bride-to-
be’s bible.
Show Organiser Marie Kerr of Kippen based Kingdom Photos said: “We’ve worked
really hard marketing the Show, attracting hundreds of visitors. We aim to connect
local buyers with local suppliers at the top of their game. The Show is about quality,
not quantity, and we give our brides a breadth of choice and interest across the 65
plus exhibitors. You can source everything for your big day from a rickshaw to a
magician, venue to tiara, gowns and favours and much much more!”
“Every exhibitor has their own Gallery on the Show website, with links to their
websites. We are actively promoting a circle of excellence locally 52 weeks of
the year, helping our brides source more services from leading local businesses. It’s
a real win-win and hugely beneficial to exhibitors.”
To find out more, please contact Marie on 01786 870903 or watch the Show highlights video at www.stirlingweddingshow.co.uk
Callander based Red Kite Yurts
recently held an open day at
Touch House to showcase their
new wedding and events venue
– a fully decorated 200 person
capacity handcrafted yurt!
This is a new venture for Red
Kite Yurts, a small rural craft
business, already the leading
provider of yurts to the Scottish
market. The business produces
yurts using traditional steam-
bent construction techniques
learned in Kyrgyzstan and honed
to perfection in Scotland.
Nathan Millard, who runs
Red Kite Yurts with his
father, said: “As people become
more environmentally aware,
the wedding yurts offer couples
a truly sensational ‘green’
alternative to traditional hotel
or marquee weddings. We also
provide luxurious and eco-
friendly yurts across the UK to
campsites, hostels and hotels.”
“The popularity of yurts
has led to the blossoming
of the ‘glamping’ and the
‘DIY wedding’ markets, and
mushroom fields of yurts can
now be found clustering around
summer festivals as luxury
accommodation.”
The luxurious wedding yurt was
brightly decorated on the day,
and really stood out amidst
the stunning setting of Touch
Estate, near Cambusbarron.
Local businesses involved in the
showcase, were:
l Kingdom Photos of Kippen,
who also run the Stirling
Wedding Show in the Albert
Halls.
l Alison Kirk Bridal provided
the bridal wear.
Alison Kirk
Bridal is located in the Stirling
Arcade and was a runner up at
last year’s Hilton Vows Awards.
l Kiltpin of Falkirk supplied the
grooms wear.
l Jennifer Morrison Florist of
Spittal Street, Stirling, provided
the flowers for the event.
www.redkiteyurts.com©
Kin
gdom
Pho
tos
�7www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is bringing life to learning and
learning to life in Scotland. By taking a fresh approach to what,
how and where young people learn it aims to raise standards of
learning and teaching and help improve the life chances for all children
and young people. Ultimately it aims to nurture young people as successful
learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.
Wallace High/Highland SpringSenior Business Management pupils from Wallace High
School have been investigating the production process
at Highland Spring. Following an in-depth discussion
between the school, the organisation and Determined
to Succeed, a tailor-made tour was created that
included members of Highland Spring’s staff talking
about their particular roles. This experience has allowed pupils to make links between theory
and industry, and Wallace High School is keen to develop this relationship in the future.
Doune Primary School / Dragon’s DenThe P6’s at Doune Primary School did their own
‘Dragon’s Den’ pitching their business plans to the
Dragon (Head Teacher Jane McManus) and winning
financial support for their craft products that were then
sold for a profit at the school’s Christmas Concert.
CfE is important to the business sector because it focuses on the core skills of
literacy, numeracy, problem solving, team working and communication – skills that
businesses have identified as often missing at the recruitment stage.
Local employers can get involved to ensure
the curriculum addresses these business
needs. Business partnerships can bring
real inspiration and relevance to young
peoples’ education and in turn can provide
the motivation, skills and drive needed
to create a dynamic and more prosperous
Scotland. Businesses can gain from the
input young people bring in terms of
innovation and fresh ideas as well as staff
development and a raised profile and
reputation in the community.
Employers already provide valuable help and
assistance in delivering many of the initiatives
that Stirling Council and its partners promote.
However, we all need to do more to ensure that
our young people have a future in helping our
local economy, and the businesses that operate
in it, to grow.
For further information on CfE and how your
business can get involved, please contact
Helen Winton (Education Development Officer,
Stirling Council) on 01786 442524, email
Determined to SucceedPrior to Curriculum for Excellence, Determined to Succeed helped prepare young people for
work and life in a globalised society by embedding enterprise in education. The following
examples show how practical engagement with local businesses and business planning can
help to develop the enterprising nature and employability of local school students…
The cream of Scottish road racing
talent will be coming to the
Stirling area, when the 2011
Scottish Road Race Championships
is hosted in the picturesque
village of Balfron on Sunday 22nd
May. This exciting cycling event,
which is organised by a group of
dedicated Scottish cyclists known
as Vortex RT and supported by
Balfron Community Council and
Stirling Council, will feature the
women’s and men’s Scottish
championships.
The 11 km circuit will start and
finish in Balfron, where the official
medal-giving ceremony will take
place. For further information go to
www.vortexraceteam.co.uk .
�011 Scottish Road Race Championships
Curriculum for Excellence
l
�8 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
LEADER supporting sustainable tourismOne area of activity that Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER is keen to support is the start-up and growth of sustainable rural
enterprises. LEADER is currently looking at ways of supporting sustainable tourism and would like to hear from businesses or
communities that have sustainable tourism projects in the pipeline that may need a small amount of funding to get started.
Latest LEADER awardsProject (and applicant) FVL LEADER award
Regeneration and Development Including Disabled Access (Tillicoultry Allotment Association) £15,028
Fruit-full Schools Falkirk (Grounds for Learning) £12,204
KYG – Widening the Experience (Killin Youth Group) £4,617
Trossachs Area Service Development (Trossachs Area Community Transport) £24,404
Carbeth Futures (Carbeth Hutters) £4,120
Blane Community Allotments (Strathblanefield Community Development Trust) £37,125
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Rural Housing Enabler (Rural Housing Service) £11,488
ClacksMax wireless broadband for the Forth Valley (Clackmannanshire Council and consortium) £184,000
More information on the Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER programme is available on the website www.fvl.org.uk where you can also download an enquiry form.
This is on the back of VisitScotland’s Sustainable Tourism Programme
which held its final sustainability event at Stirling Castle in January
2011, involving 100 tourism businesses from across the Forth
Valley. Hot on the heels of this event, LEADER would like to support
initiatives that have been inspired by the ‘Living the Legacy’
materials or the Sustainable Tourism Toolkit produced by Visit
Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland and Keep Scotland Beautiful as part of
this programme.
Sue Wyllie, LEADER Development Officer, said: “As many tourism
businesses are already well aware, sustainable tourism is about
more than just energy saving light bulbs. Community involvement
in tourism projects, environmental education, use of public
transport, facilities for cyclists and walkers, dealing with waste,
recycling, and sourcing local produce and services are all elements
of sustainable tourism which will benefit the wider area – and this
is not an exhaustive list. And given that visitors come to the area
because of our beautiful environment, activities that enhance or
improve that environment are going to be good for business too.”
Assistance with the development of ideas for sustainable tourism
products or activities is also available from the following sources:
lBusiness Gateway lStirling Enterprise (STEP)
lVisitScotland lScottish Enterprise
lStirling Council lScottish Business in the Community
lLocal development trusts lLocal community planning groups
lLocal business associations lTourism associations
lCommunity Councils
LEADER is particularly keen to hear about initiatives that will create
or sustain jobs, involve young people, benefit a wide number of
businesses, or involve the community directly in the design or
delivery of the project.
If you have a sustainable tourism project in mind, please contact the
LEADER team on 01786 442687 or email [email protected] .
More information on the LEADER programme in the Forth Valley
and Lomond area is available at www.fvl.org.uk .
LEADER update
LEADER is the European funding programme for the rural area.
www.fvl.org.uk
For more information on sustainable tourism, the sustainability toolkits and other useful resources, go to www.scotland-sustainabletourism.com.
�9www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Stirling Eye met up with Sandy Frickleton (Business Liaison Executive, Stirling Council) to find out more about the pilot broadband project...Sandy, what broadband speed will the new service
offer? Initially the available speeds will be between 2 Mbps and 20
Mbps, this said the equipment used will be upgradeable to take
advantage of next generation technology that will offer 100 Mbps
and beyond.
How much will the service cost businesses? Costs will be comparable to other broadband services.
Who will provide the broadband connection?The infrastructure will be provided through a partnership between
Clackmannanshire Council and a broadband wireless developer. The
developer will be chosen after a mandatory procurement process is
completed. The connection to the internet will be by any internet
service providers that decide to provide a service through the
infrastructure, just as you would normally find on a fibre optic or
copper cable internet connection.
How can businesses get connected?Businesses keen to sign up to this high speed broadband service
are asked to wait until more details are announced, this information
will be coming soon and will be detailed in the summer edition of
Stirling Eye.
Do businesses need a telephone line to connect?No, there is no need for a telephone line. As a matter of fact,
using a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) service such as Skype
Wireless broadband is coming to rural businesses in StirlingBusinesses in Bandeath Industrial Estate, Throsk and Touch Business Centre near Cambusbarron
suffer from varying and intermittent broadband access. To address this issue, Stirling Council, Stirling
Development Agency Ltd and Touch Business Centre have teamed up with Clackmannanshire Council,
who has been investigating a wireless solution to take care of a similar problem in Alloa West
Business Centre and the Hillfoots area.
Working in partnership with this group, Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER led a successful bid to the
Scottish Government’s Rural Broadband Challenge Fund that will fund a pilot wireless broadband
solution for the identified areas. The service will be called ClacksMax and will be available to businesses and
communities in the target areas of Touch Estate and Bandeath in the Stirling Council area.
Stirling Development Agency board member Andy Richardson said: “We are delighted with the success of the bid as
it recognises the benefits and significance of high speed broadband for businesses in rural Stirling. We expect the
new service to have a positive impact on future demand for business space at Bandeath Industrial Estate and for
the rural economy as a whole.”
where a computer can be used to
call landlines or mobiles is becoming
a common way for businesses to
reduce monthly phone costs.
Do businesses need any special
equipment to connect?Any special equipment will be
provided through the service and will consist of a dongle or a
wireless router with or without an external antenna, depending on
the needs of the individual business.
Will the service also be available to members of the
community? Yes, although full quality of coverage won’t be fully known until
the system is commissioned and tested. The service will be open
to members of the communities who surround the target areas of
Bandeath and Touch Estate.
When is the service likely to come on stream?Once the procurement process for a broadband wireless developer is
complete, it should only take 3-4 months to have the service up and
running.
Is there potential to develop the service to a wider area? Yes, the modular nature of the infrastructure will allow the system
to be added to and improved. This offers the ability to cover other
areas that would also benefit from the service.
To find out more about ClacksMax, please contact Sandy Frickleton
(Stirling Council) on 01786 443403 or email [email protected]
�0 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye
Economic factsPopulation and Households Stirling �00�-�009 % Change �00� �00� �00� �00� �00� �007 �008 �009 Stirling Scotland
Total Population 86,150 86,370 86,370 86,930 87,810 88,190 88,350 88,740 3.0% 2.8%
Working Age Population 53,501 53,667 53,268 53,588 54,310 54,367 54,341 54,530 1.9% 3.1%
Total Number of Households 35,961 36,454 36,658 36,958 37,164 37,328 37,555 37,789 5.1% 6.0%
Source: General Register Office for Scotland
Employment RateFigure 2: Employment Rate (as % of Working Age Population)
Source: Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
Empl
oym
ent
rate
2006/07 2009/10
Employment
Enterprise �00� �00� �00� �00� �00� �007 �008 �009 �00�-�009 �00�-�009 Change % Change
Stirling 449 534 460 452 474 480 351 272 -177 -39%
Scotland 18,518 21,468 20,808 21,383 23,468 25,041 20,028 15,726 -2,792 -15%
Source: The Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers
Business Survival RatesFigure 6: 3 Year Survival Rate of Newly Born Enterprises
Source: Business Demography (Office for National Statistics)
3 Ye
ar S
urvi
val R
ate
- %
2003 2006Year business started up
Figure 1: Population and Households
Figure 5: New Business Starts
Stirling
Scotland
Business DensityFigure 7: Number of Active Businesses per 10,000 Population
Source: Business Demography (Office for National Statistics)Notes: Active businesses cover PAYE and VAT registered businesses only
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
No.
Act
ive
busi
ness
es
per
10,0
00 p
opul
atio
n
2007 2009
Stirling
Scotland
Unemployment RateFigure 3: Unemployment Rate (as % of Working Age Population)
Stirling
Scotland4.54.03.53.02.52.01.51.00.50.0
Une
mpl
oym
ent
rate
Source: Claimant Count with Rates and Proportions (Nomis)
January 2006 January 2011
696867666564636261
74.0
73.5
73
72.5
72
71.5
71
70.5
70
69.5
Source: Annual Business Inquiry (Nomis)
Stirling 47,400 46,400 -1,000 -2%
Scotland 2,604,600 2,528,800 -75,800 -3%
�008 �009 �008-�009 �008-�009 Change % ChangeFigure 4: Number of People in Employment
�1www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy
Source: Business Demography (Office for National Statistics)Notes: Active businesses cover PAYE and VAT registered businesses only
Active Businesses, Business Births and Business DeathsFigure 8: Businesses in 2009 – Percentages based on Stock of Active Businesses Stirling – Number Stirling - % Scotland - %
Business Births 305 8.9% 9.8%Business Deaths 310 9.0% 10.2%Stock of Active Businesses 3.435 - -
Source: Business Demography (Office for National Statistics) Notes: Active businesses cover PAYE and VAT registered businesses only
QualificationsFigure 11: % of the Working Age Population Qualified to SVQ Level 4+ (or equivalent) and % with No Qualifications, 2009
Source: 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: Median Gross Weekly Earnings of People Working Full Time �00� �007 �008 �009 �010 % Change
Median Gross Weekly Earnings – Residents – Stirling £472.1 £479.9 £496.9 £499.2 £529.1 12% Median Gross Weekly Earnings – Residents – Scotland £427.9 £440.9 £462.9 £471.2 £486.9 14%Median Gross Weekly Earnings – Workers – Stirling £419.3 £434.1 £454.1 £460.2 £499.1 19%Median Gross Weekly Earnings – Workers – Scotland £428.1 £441.7 £462.6 £472.8 £488.2 14%Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Nomis)
Industry Occupational DistributionFigure 10: Occupational Distribution of Workers (%), Stirling, 2009
Source: Annual Population Survey - Workplace Analysis (Nomis)
Visitors to the Stirling AreaFigure 12: Visitors to Key Attractions in the Stirling Council Area
Visitors �008 �009
Argyll’s Lodging 28,434 32,439
Bannockburn Heritage Centre 40,925 50,571
Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park 388,112 397,000
Mugdock Country Park 622,375 585,288
National Wallace Monument 115,774 126,237
Old Town Jail 18,192 17,503
Stirling Castle 375,3453 383,293
Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum 51,438 39,408
Source: Visit Scotland; Mugdock Country Park; Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park
�00�-�010
Figure 9: Employment by Industrial Sector (%), Stirling, 2009
Source: Business Register and Employment Survey (Nomis)
Industry
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing 0.6%
Mining, Quarrying & Utilities 0.4%
Manufacturing 5.9%
Construction 6.5%
Motor Trades 2.4%
Wholesale 3.5%
Retail 11.3%
Transport & Storage (Inc Postal) 2.5%
Accommodation & Food Services 8.8%
Information & Communication 1.6%
Financial & Insurance 5.7%
Property 1.1%
Professional, Scientific & Technical 4.8%
Business Administration & Support Services 7.2%
Public Administration & Defence 9.7%
Education 9.2%
Health 14.8%
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation & Other Services 4.0%
Stirling Council Environment Services, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET phone: 0845 277 7000
email: [email protected] text: 0771 779 0001 web: stirling.gov.uk
Useful web linksActive Stirling – www.activestirling.org.uk Business Gateway – www.bgateway.comForth Valley College – www.forthvalley.ac.ukForth Construction Forum - www.forthconstruction.co.ukForth Valley and Lomond LEADER – www.fvl.org.ukFunding Search Facility – www.stirling.gov.uk/fundingThe Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park- www.lochlomond-trossachs.orgLottery Fund – www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotlandProperty Search Facility – www.stirling.gov.uk/propertyRaploch Urban Regeneration Company – www.raploch.comScottish Chambers of Commerce – www.scottishchambers.org.ukScottish Enterprise – www.scottish-enterprise.co.ukScottish Government – www.scotland.gov.ukScottish Parliament – www.scottish.parliament.ukStirling Business Directory – www.stirling.gov.uk/directoryStirling Business Panel – www.stirlingbusinesspanel.orgStirling Council Business Pages – www.stirling.gov.uk/businessStirling Enterprise (STEP) – www.stirling-enterprise.co.ukStirling Eye – www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeyeStirling University Innovation Park – www.suip.co.ukTrossachs Rural Mentoring Scheme – www.ruralmentoring.co.ukUniversity of Stirling – www.stir.ac.ukVisitScotland – www.visitscotland.orgVisitStirling – www.visitstirling.org
Service contactsBuilding Standards, Stirling CouncilJoyce Wighton, Tel: 01786 432032, email: [email protected]
City Centre Management, Stirling CouncilAndy Kennedy, Tel: 01786 442534, email: [email protected]
Culture and Adult Learning, Stirling CouncilLynne Gibbons, Tel: 01786 432360, email: [email protected]
Economic Support & Tourism, Stirling CouncilDeborah Murray, Tel: 01786 442467, email: [email protected]
Employability Service, Stirling CouncilGordon Wright, Tel: 01786 442866, email: [email protected]
Environmental Health & Trading Standards, Stirling CouncilLeslie Fisher, Tel: 01786 432180, email [email protected]
Planning, Stirling CouncilPeter Morgan, Tel: 01786 442914, email: [email protected]
Rates Team, Stirling CouncilAlison McLean, Tel: 01786 443236, email: [email protected]
Waste Services, Stirling CouncilDavid Hopper, Tel: 01786 443038, email [email protected]
Forthcoming events/trainingFree Business Gateway training events:
April 2010
13th evening – Stirling – Marketing your business.
19th morning – Alloa – Build your own website 1.
19th afternoon – Alloa – Build your own website 2.
19th morning – Falkirk – Mastering Selling 1.
19th afternoon – Falkirk – Mastering Selling 2.
19th morning – Stirling – What you need to know before
setting up a website.
20th morning – Alloa – Understanding your financial statements.
20th evening – Stirling – Advertising & promotion.
May 2011
24th morning – Stirling – Get real results from your website.
25th morning – Falkirk – Bookeeping 1.
25th afternoon – Falkirk – Bookeeping 2.
27th morning – Falkirk – Trading online.
To book your free place, call 0845 609 6611 or check www.bgateway.com for up-to-date listings.
Business start-up workshops
Stirling Enterprise (STEP) run free training and awareness sessions specifically for people looking to start up their own business. Forthcoming training dates are:
May 2011
10th evening – Stirling – Business start up: Business planning.
11th evening – Stirling – Business start up: Marketing.
11th evening – Stirling – Business start up: Finance.
18th evening – Stirling – Business start up: ICT.
24th evening – Stirling – Business start up follow on session: HMRC.
For more information on the business start-up workshops, please
contact Denise Mallinson on 01786 463416.
On the VergeLocal businesses have lent support to a project called On the Verge to aid
recovery of local bee populations.
The environmental campaign
is aimed at using as many
green spaces as possible in and
around Stirling to sow nectar
rich wildflowers, with the aim
of providing readily available
food sources for ailing bee
populations.
The project has been funded
through donations from a
number of local businesses,
including Superglass, Belhaven,
Graham’s the Family Dairy,
Forth Housing, Value Tyres,
STOMP shoe shop and United
Closures & Plastics.
The photograph is from
one of On the Verge’s
recent projects, the
revival of a box hedge garden by
Allan’s Primary School, turning
it into a wildlife haven. Leigh
Biagi from On the Verge, said:
“This project was made possible
through permission from The
Cowane’s Trust and plants
donated by Dobbies Garden
Centre and Janet Owen of local
florist So Blooming Marvellous.”
To find out more about On the
Verge, please contact Leigh Biagi
on 01786 451615, email