Business Matters - Summer 2013

Inside this issue: B2B feature • Health, Leisure & Wellbeing • Trade Finance • Chamber news & more...

MattersBusiness

SUMMER 2013 EDITION HELPING RENFREWSHIRE GROW & PROSPER

CHAMBER BUSINESS EVENT HELPS RENFREWSHIRE GROW & PROSPER

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper 32 Business Matters Summer 2013

Mixed financial messages are still emanating from so called informed sources. Two think tanks have recently warned that austerity measures in the UK could still be in place until 2020. To counter the foregoing view others indicate that while economic conditions remain challenging there are hints of recovery and that they are therefore looking to the year ahead with renewed optimism.

In support of the latter view point, the latest Scottish unemployment figures have seen a steady downward trend and the news that this trend has been accompanied by a rise in employment suggests that job creation in Scotland is more sustained - an encouraging sign!

Continuing on a positive path, the welcome employment growth has perhaps stimulated the beleaguered Scottish consumer who is beginning to exhibit a rising level of confidence and seems to be more willing to spend, especially on value ranges. Retailers and the Government will be hoping that this trend continues throughout the summer months. I should point out that on a local level a large number of shops (including Marks and Spencer) are now open in Paisley on Sunday and parking is free. Please support this initiative – use it or lose it.

Still on wider Scottish issues, Scottish Chambers of Commerce have recently launched a Referendum Survey asking members to identify what information the Scottish business community is looking for in the lead up to the referendum on Scottish Independence. The findings of the survey will be available mid to late summer 2013.

The Chamber recently held one of its largest events of the year, our B2B event – Business Matters in Renfrewshire. Featured in this issue, the event this year was extended to 2 days by including a conference. We managed to attract 4 great speakers and just over 200 people, including some local secondary schools turned up on the day. The event was recognised right across the Chamber network – showing our members once again that we are continually trying to improve and deliver events and services that genuinely can help Renfrewshire grow and prosper. A big thank you to all the businesses that supported the event this year – plans are already underway for next year.

The Chamber continues to expand and is committed to giving young people a real tangible career opportunity. We are doing our bit in that we have recently employed a graduate intern, making a third of the Chamber team under 24 (regrettably I’m not one of them!). This new young employee was enlisted with the assistance of the “Invest in Renfrewshire” scheme. This is a Renfrewshire Council initiative designed to support the local economy and reduce youth unemployment. If you are not aware of this worthwhile scheme then I would encourage you to find out. We must endeavour to get our youngsters into meaningful employment. Can your business taken on even one young person? – please give it every consideration.

I recently had the pleasant duty of presenting the Digital Futures prizes at UWS and it was so invigorating to see the quality of work that the

students had produced and to feel the enthusiasm coming from these youngsters. I hope that they get the opportunity to succeed in business, they certainly deserve to do so.

It seems a long way off but in early July we will be launching our annual business awards, the ROCCOs. Now in their 10th year, they are the area’s premier business event. This year’s event is held on 15th November at the Normandy Hotel and once again the night will be hosted by Fred MacAulay. I encourage all members to seriously consider entering; entry is free and is an excellent opportunity to be recognised for your hard work and achievements.

On a sporting theme, our Chamber golf outing this year was a sell out and held at Renfrew Golf Club. Despite being a non-golfer I was selected to play in the Chamber team – the remainder of the competitors were supplied with crash helmets! The weather this year was excellent and a great day was had by all. Finally, whatever you are doing over the Summer, I hope you manage to recharge the batteries and enjoy some time to relax with friends and family and I look forward to seeing many of you at a Chamber event soon.

Help us help Renfrewshire grow and prosper.

President’s Welcome

Tom Johnston, President Renfrewshire Chamber

Welcome to the Summer 2013 edition of Business Matters. I hope by the time you read this you will have had some time outdoors enjoying the recent good weather which regrettably, as I write this article, has just disappeared.


Quick update from me. Recent B2B event went very well, thank you to all that supported the event and I hope all that

attended either day got value from it – the feedback has been very positive.

Our recent annual golf event was a great success – great course, good

food and the weather was excellent. More details soon re 2014 venue. Again thanks to all that entered a team and donated a raffl e prize.

We have recently started our new Graduate Intern – more info about Blair Stevenson in this issue.

The team are deep in ROCCO 2013 planning now – and we will be launching in July. Could this be your year?

Finally congratulations to our Recruit winning Management Trainee Alison Fraser. Alison has already completed her Modern Apprenticeship / SVQ3 in Business & Admin. Not only that

she has been awarded the Scottish Women’s Convention Young Women’s Achievement Award – well done Alison, outstanding.

I hope you enjoy this Summer 2013 edition- I do believe it’s our biggest yet at 48 pages.

If there is anything myself or any of my team can do to help you please don’t hesitate to get in touch

Enjoy the summer.

Printed on ECF paper sourced from sustainable forests using vegetable based inks.

Renfrewshire Chamber of CommerceBute Court, St Andrews Drive, Glasgow Airport, PA3 2SWt: 0141 847 5450 / f: 0141 847 5499e: [email protected] / w: www.renfrewshirechamber.com Next issue of Business Matters is Autumn 2013 Deadline for editorial and adverts is 25th September, issued mid-October 2013. Themes: ROCCO Shortlist, Procurement, Technology / e-commerce

Advertising & Editorial: Euan Keltie 0141 847 5464 / e: [email protected]

Print and Design by: The Print Brokers (Scotland) Ltd / e: [email protected]

Business Matters Summer 2013

Bob Davidson,Chief Exec’

P R E M I E R P A R T N E R

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce would like to acknowledge the support of our Premier Partners:

Follow the chamber:

a Warm Welcomefrom our chief executive


There are many things to consider when looking at exporting your goods; one area not often thought of - is protecting the intellectual property (IP) that is contained in them, yet your IP is often what sets you apart from your competitors!

Before you rush off and begin exporting your products – a few things to consider:

Planting the seedReview your business’ asset portfolio and list what IP you own and need to function in new markets.

All successful businesses generate and use a wealth of IP including trademarks (e.g. product names, logos), patents, technical know-how, copyright and goodwill generated from your business. It’s helpful to list all the different types of IP your business has created (not just the IP you are considering exporting) including:

• your product’s distinctive design or appearance

• any products that you have invented

• your brand/ logo• photographs and illustrations• written material eg marketing

brochures or website content.

Once you have identifi ed what your “IP portfolio” consists of, you are then in an excellent position to consider protecting it at home and overseas.

GerminationIP such as trademarks, patents and

copyright works can be protected in a variety of ways. Be warned however, full protection of your IP can take time and research (and fees) but this is a relatively small cost to pay to protect something you have worked hard to create and develop and gives your product that competitive edge.

Protecting your IP domestically and overseas Before exporting your IP you should consider registering your IP at home, this can often be done online and searches are fairly easy to do and could avoid risk of trademark or patent infringement.

Once protected at home you should look at the export countries you are considering to ensure that your IP is capable of being protected and is not infringing upon another’s IP in those territories. Doing your homework should establish any likely or obvious challenges to your IP overseas. For example if another business in the export country has registered a local trademark that covers a very similar mark to yours, you may not be able to register yours and not export without protection or infringing another’s IP. If you do, you could risk them taking legal action against you for infringing their IP in their domestic market.

GrowthEnsure you have an export strategy in place and know what your outlays will be. Registering intellectual property will add to your export costs. You may focus your attentions on securing IP protection in your most profi table market initially before then pursuing protection in potential markets.

Remember to take intellectual property protection into account in your negotiations and contracts whether they be granting manufacturing or distribution rights.

Maturity Once registered there are many opportunities for further growth via licensing your IP or through an outright sale. There are many methods of revenue generation when the right protections are in place and licensing can form a vital component of your business strategy. Done properly, licensing allows licensors to benefi t from a new stream of income (sometimes capitalising on a mature or under used asset), whilst licensees are afforded the opportunity to expand their business by creating new products and accessing new markets.

Growing your iP overseas

Valerie Surgenor


WE SPEAK FLUENT EXPORT.

The move from national to international business is an exciting step which can signifi cantly grow your business. At Smart Exporter, we can help you boost your profi ts in UK markets and beyond. Discover your export potential with our free resources and export training.

Visit www.sdi.co.uk/exporttraining orcall 0800 019 1953.

Smart Exporter services are funded and delivered by Scottish Development International (SDI) in partnership with Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

More and more Scottish companies are looking to grow their business internationally, with Scottish exports increasing to just under £24 billion in 2011. Exciting opportunities exist for businesses, not only within the traditional export markets of the US and Europe but also new and emerging economies such as Asia, South America and Africa.

Ayrshire-based Alliance Wines is one such company which is going global. Founded in 1984, the award winning producer, importer, distributor and exporter of fine wines now has a truly international footprint.

With the wine industry in the UK an increasingly price-focused market where the influence of the supermarket has had a drastic impact on consumer expectations and buying behaviour, entering export markets has enabled Alliance to diversify their company risk and take advantage of opportunities in international markets

where the profit margin is healthier.

So how did the company identify potential export opportunities? They undertook significant desk research and networked with other exporters to learn from previous experience. The company also attended the Smart Exporter programme run by Scottish Development International (SDI), the international arm of Scottish Enterprise, enabling the business to systematically analyse markets and potential customers from a sustainable long term approach.

Susan O’Neill, Marketing Executive at Alliance Wines, commented: “The support we have received from SDI has enabled us to enter international markets in ways we could not have done otherwise. It’s allowed us to undertake better research and have the appropriate marketing materials and resources in

place to fully exploit opportunities. From market focused seminars and workshops to our account manager who has helped us get our export activity off the ground, we feel the level of support we’ve received has definitely given us a competitive advantage.”

If you are a company thinking about doing business in new markets, visit www.sdi.co.uk/export-from-scotland to find out more about SDI’s support services including free export training and international market research information. Alternatively, call 0800 019 1953 to speak to a Smart Exporter adviser for free one-to-one support.

ScottiSH BuSineSSeS GoinG GloBal


It’s been a busy year for Burns Express Freight Ltd, one of Scotland’s leading logistics and distribution companies.

As part of a year long programme of investment which included a total Company rebrand , a new website and brochure and the purchase of a brand new fl eet of vehicles, Burns Express have now completed their move to new premises, a 40,000 sq ft warehouse facility in Barrhead.

All this just in time to celebrate their 20th year in business!

Derek Burns, Operations Director

commented:“It has been a busy year for us

and to be honest it wasn’t the ideal time to take on such an undertaking bearing in mind the current economic climate. We felt however it was a logical next step for us as a company and completely necessary to allow for future planned expansion.

We have now fully settled in to our new premises and can now look forward to being able to get on with our main objective of continuing to provide a fi rst class

service to all our customers, both old and new.

The past 20 years have brought many changes as the Company has grown from one small van to the 30+ trucks that we have today and we would like to thank all our customers for their continued support and look forward to providing logistics and distribution solutions for the next 20 years!”

Contact us for a quote on: 0141 876 4777 or email [email protected] www.burnsexpress.co.uk

Busy year for Burns express


YEARS IN B USIN ESSEARS IN B USIN E20CEL

EBRATING

LOOKING FORWARD TOTHE NEXT 20!


Ocean Marine Training is looking forward to an exciting period of growth.

The company has a range of courses to address the training needs of corporate clients and also for individuals looking to enhance their career options. The Rope Access Centre offers courses including IRATA Levels 1-3, working/rescue at height, harness awareness, dropped objects, a fully comprehensive and accredited online course for Painting/Blasting/Coating Inspection and also supplies fully certified Rope Access and Safety equipment.

OMT is ideally located at Glasgow Airport to service the training requirements of clients from throughout the UK and beyond with excellent transport links and partnerships with local hotels.

New courses are continually being added to their portfolio as the development of the campus continues

– OMT aim to provide a comprehensive suite of training solutions to service both the Marine and Energy sectors.

The fire-ground is nearing completion and courses will start in August when OMT will be delivering the STCW95 approved Marine Industry Basic Training that includes Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Personal Survival Techniques, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility.

Recently appointed MD, Euan Morrison, said “The training sector in energy services and maritime industries is continuing to grow and OMT are pleased to be offering fully accredited courses in the central belt. As part of the strategic growth plan for OMT significant recruitment from within the local area is essential. Our partnerships with local training organizations and Glasgow Airport will increase the career opportunities for the local population.”

OMT would welcome the opportunity to meet with members of the Chamber – for further information please contact them on 0141 848 4651 or e-mail [email protected]

energy and Marine training at Glasgow airport

At SQA, we’re in touch with your business with a range of relevant qualifications designed to develop the particular skills you are looking for.

Contact your dedicated, named SQA Contact for all the advice and guidance you need to realise your full potential.

t: 0303 333 0330

e: [email protected]

w: www.sqa.org.uk/businessdevelopment

The Best AdviceAt Your Fingertips.

OMT has recently launched a range of courses that will run from their IRATA Rope Access Centre at Glasgow Airport. OMT would like to engage with fellow Chamber members and invites companies to send a maximum of two delegates to each day to sample a course and meet their team/view the facilities.

Monday 15th July - Working at Height Course covers the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Tuesday 16th July - Harness Awareness and Dropped Objects Prevention Training

For the purposes of the Open Day we have combined these two half day courses.

Ocean Marine TrainingOpen Days

- 15th/16th July

There will be no charge for attending the Open Days and companies attending will be entitled to 10% off their first order of any safety/rescue equipment up until the end of July. For further information and to book your place please contact Neil McIntosh on 07952 869507 or [email protected]


· CCTV System

· Load and Unload Undercover

· Minutes from M8 at Junction 29

· Removal Service Available

· Access Control

Storage Vault, 53 Clark Street, Paisley PA3 1QSTelephone: 0141 887 1000 • www.StorageVault.co.uk

Need stop-gap storage between premises or a flexible storage space for excess equipment or stock?

If you’re struggling for work space and want to archive documents, our secure dry storage rooms are an ideal space saving solution.

If you don’t want to leave essential tools in your van or clutter your garage with building materials then we can help.

The self storage industry is a fairly new one; it did not arrive in the UK until 1980s. The industry is continuing to grow at a stable pace and is proving to be robust industry in the face of economic hardship.

Both consumers and businesses are increasingly turning to self storage for many reasons. Factors can range from moving home (downsizing or upsizing), divorce and retirement. More and more businesses are requiring solutions to storing archive files, stock or office equipment.

The public sector uses storage and removals for a variety of reasons, whether it the new school being built, the repair and maintenance of a housing stock, or the need to archive files due a legally required minimum

retention period. However, it was recently reported

that only 10% of the general public have previously used self storage and at least 60-70% of tenants are first-time customers. The challenge for the industry is raise the general awareness and benefits of using self storage.

The benefits of taking advantage of self storage are more than just peace of mind but often a sense of relief that your goods are in a safe, secure facility and you are free to get on with living without your possessions tying you down.

Storage Vault has doubled the size of their premises in Paisley and is continuing to invest in new security features and containers. Storage Vault offers practical, affordable storage

facilities for short-term or long-term use, and there are only a few sensible restrictions on the type of goods you can store. Storage Vault have worked with various organisations – both public and private – including Renfrewshire Council, Morgan Sindall, Milne Craig and Wright & Crawford.

All units are accessible during normal opening hours, and you can drive right up to your unit for easy loading and unloading – accommodating cars, vans and small trucks.

Call Storage Vault on 0141 887 1000 to find out more about their low-cost storage units and removals – you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create that extra bit of space in your home or business.

Why Do People Need Self Storage?

· CCTV System

· Load and Unload Undercover

· Minutes from M8 at Junction 29

· Removal Service Available

· Access Control

Storage Vault, 53 Clark Street, Paisley PA3 1QSTelephone: 0141 887 1000 • www.StorageVault.co.uk

Need stop-gap storage between premises or a flexible storage space for excess equipment or stock?

If you’re struggling for work space and want to archive documents, our secure dry storage rooms are an ideal space saving solution.

If you don’t want to leave essential tools in your van or clutter your garage with building materials then we can help.


Paisley-based Code Red Fire Safety is the first company to successfully qualify from a national Affiliate Training Provider Scheme. The Fire Protection Association (FPA) – the UK’s national fire safety organisation – launched their affiliate trainer scheme in January 2013, allowing training providers from across the UK to work in partnership with them to deliver a range of popular courses and qualifications.

In order to become an FPA affiliate training provider, companies must undergo an application process, which takes into account existing skills, qualifications and experience and successfully undertake a Trainer Action Plan which will provide any additional

requirements prior to approval. Code Red Fire Safety – a growing

company providing fire extinguisher servicing, fire training and risk assessment services across Central Scotland - underwent a short familiarization session and provider visit, and as a result, they are now able to offer two FPA courses and associated qualification as part of their training portfolio.

The courses Code Red now offer as FPA Approved Training providers are: • FPA Certificate in Action in the Event

of Fire• CFPA Europe Certificate in Fire Safety

for Fire Wardens (Basic Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention)

Mark Pettigrew, Director at Code Red states: “The fact we are now able to run approved FPA fire training courses in the whole of Scotland provides us with a real advantage as companies look for quality and value in their training providers. Our new and existing customers can now be assured that the fire warden and awareness courses we deliver are accredited to the FPA and CFPA Europe Certification – the only company in Scotland to do so.”

code Red Fire Safety becomes first approved FPa training provider for Scotland

Judges praised the company, which runs four nurseries across Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, for the way in which they continually listen to their customers and strive to ensure that improvements are made to the services they offer. This award is the third which the company has won since 2011 – all for Excellence in Customer Care – having triumphed at the Bees Knees awards in 2012, and at the ROCCO awards in 2011, organized by Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce.

Enchanted Forest Nursery Director, Mariessa Devlin comments;

‘Whilst winning this award is utterly fantastic, we are never complacent and know there is always room for improvement, therefore we will keep working on our journey of trying to be the best we can be for parents and their little ones. And although my co Director Bernie and myself accepted the award from the Provost Moran, it goes without saying, that this award belongs to our 80 staff who are the

reason for our success. It is the work that they do on a daily basis which has seen this award bestowed on our four nurseries.’

Enchanted Forest Nurseries Group offers childcare at nurseries in Greenock, Inverkip, Erskine and Thornliebank, employing over 80 highly trained and skilled staff who care daily for over 500 pre-school children, ranging in age from 6 weeks up to 5 years.

http://www.enchantedforestnursery.co.uk

nursery chain triumphs at Business awardsEnchanted Forest Nursery, the childcare chain headquartered in Riverside Business Park, has won the hotly contested Excellence in Customer Services category at the prestigious Greenock Chamber of Commerce ‘Bees Knees’ Awards 2013.

Mark Pettigrew & James McMahon


Superb, Sensational, Spectacular and of course IMPressive, just a few of the adjectives used by guests to describe the 50th Anniversary of the launch of the Hillman Imp on the 2nd of May 1963.

Watched by representatives of Renfrewshire Council, Linwood and Johnstone Community Councils, local MPs Jim Sheridan and Douglas Alexander, Hugh Henry MSP and a large number of ex- employees, a Rally of 43 cars, left the car park at St James Business Centre to the sound of a 1960’s police siren.

The ‘panda’ as it was known led the procession of these cherished vehicles after the Official Reception, the highlight of which was the unveiling of a Plaque by Provost Anne Hall to commemorate the

Imps, Hunters, Avengers and Sunbeams manufactured at Linwood by Rootes.

The coverage of the rally by the National media, both press and television, was outstanding but the fact that the Washington Post and Der Bilt also carried photographs and reports highlighted the significance of the spectacle.

Some photographs from the day are attached but many, many more have been posted on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/StJamesBusinessCentre and there are many videos on YouTube.

Of course, should any Chamber member wish to visit the Centre to view the Archive or the Offices they would be most welcome. Please contact John Workman or Iain Irvine on 0141 887 4545.

Fast growing digital agency NSDesign has made new appointments to bolster its team after a record rise in profits.

Managing Director Gary Ennis has appointed former BBC Scotland journalist Colin Kelly to the role of Head of Marketing and Training while long time Business Development Manager Kenny Roy becomes Operations Director.

The changes will allow Ennis to focus on further growth as the company moves deeper into consultancy and strengthens its position as a full service digital marketing agency.

NSDesign employs a team of 8 at its base in Hillington Park Innovation Centre but punches well above its weight with a spate of recent public sector contract wins which have seen it deliver social media consultancy to the NHS and a

series of social media training workshops to businesses in the East Ayrshire Council area.

Gary Ennis said, “This has been a sensational year even by our own high standards and its all down to the strength and commitment of our team. We have exciting plans and a lot of work to get on with over the next few months and it’s absolutely key that we hold on to and develop our staff. Colin and Kenny are already well known to our clients and I’m certain they’ll do very well in their new roles”.

NSDesign is in the running for a prestigious Scottish Business Award this summer having been nominated for ‘Online Business of The Year’. Former President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker in front of an audience of Scotland’s biggest and best businesses.

Very iMPressive!

new Roles at nSDesign

Colin Kelly

Kenny Roy


LEADING Modern Apprentice (MA) graduates and some of Scotland’s top companies have signed up to become ambassadors and employer champions of the programme, helping to boost apprenticeship opportunities across Scotland.

Maureen Ross, Head of HR at Scottish Leather Group said: “We continue to be impressed by the calibre of apprentices coming through the programme and would encourage other employers to back it too.”

Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of SDS, added: “These champions have experienced first hand the enormous contribution and tangible benefits that MAs can bring to their business and the ambassadors are seeing their career go

from strength to strength as a result of the MA programme.”

MA graduate ambassadors include Angela Wilson from Renfrewshire Council, who said: “The programme has enabled me to gain valuable qualifications as well as on-the-job experience.”

Joining Scottish Leather Group as employer champions are: ACE Winches, BT, British Airways, Selex ES, ScotRail, SSE and Scottish Leather Group.

For more information on the programme, please visit: www.ourskillsforce.co.uk

SDS announces Modern apprenticeship ambassadors Programme at Reid Kerr college- Scottish leather Group unveiled as First employer champion

There have been so many myths where health and safety has been used as an excuse not to do something rather than looking at the benefits - Health and safety is essentially about good planning, good risk management and demonstrating a concern for your staff and others.

At Enable Safety Ltd you will find someone willing to listen to your concerns and help provide a practical solution. Based in Renfrewshire, with almost 25 years’ experience within both public and private sector our philosophy is that

“Safety should not prevent you doing the job but it should assist you undertake the work safely”.

Whilst we would be delighted to support you with our range of services we are here to help you look after your safety, not to manage your business. We can help you integrate health and safety within your business. Our services include:• Advice on health and safety legislation• Helping you develop systems to

integrate and manage health and safety• Helping you monitor standards through

inspection• Review documents or performance

through audit• Provision of training from induction to

senior management level including risk assessment and manual handling

We are also accredited to deliver the NEBOSH General Certificate course in Occupational Health and Safety. The certificate is the industry standard qualification that provides a valuable overview of occupational health and safety.

The course is suitable for managers, supervisors, safety representatives and staff from all types of organisations who need a broad understanding of health and safety issues. Many individuals take the NEBOSH Certificate as a first step towards a career in health and safety.

We would welcome the opportunity to work with you towards improving your business compliance and performance. For further information visit our website:

www.enablesafetyltd.co.uk; email us [email protected] or telephone: 07714723505 – ‘Like us’ on face book.

Dispel the Myths

Fred Cullum, Director


Scottish Leather Group and Reid Kerr College held an event during Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Week to highlight their successful partnership in delivering an award-winning Modern Apprenticeship programme.

The Apprenticeship Academy, part of Scottish Leather Group’s talent strategy, was launched in April 2012 in partnership with Invest in Renfrewshire, Scottish Enterprise and Reid Kerr College. In August 2012, the first ten apprentices joined the two-year modern apprenticeship programme for a unique course in Leather Production and Manufacturing. This year the Group was delighted to win the ‘Apprentice Award’ at the s1jobs Recruitment Awards 2013.

During the event, held at the College’s Abercorn Centre, business leaders were given the chance to hear first-hand from two apprentices about their experiences on the academy and their journey so far.

Maureen Ross, Group Head of Human Resources, is delighted with how the academy is progressing: “Our Apprenticeship Academy is a fantastic vocational programme with real job

opportunities and career prospects at the end of it. The talent that came through our selection assessment process identified that we could easily have more than doubled our apprentice intake.

We’re extremely proud of the success of the Academy and look forward to taking it to the next level and taking on more apprentices in the near future.”

Ross continued “Reid Kerr College does a fantastic job for us in terms of delivering the Leather Production and Manufacturing SVQ2. This is a great example of industry led training and development which has led to Scottish Leather Group entering into a formal partnership with the college”.

Jim McAllister, from the Business School at Reid Kerr said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Scottish Leather Group. Our partnership is very much about working and planning together to improve staff performance, integrate national qualifications and raise educational standards, skills and competencies within Scottish Leather Group.”

Sara Rae, Head of Corporate

Development at Reid Kerr added, “Our work-based programmes are very much focused on the needs of both the employer and the apprentice, helping employers to build a skilled and productive workforce to achieve their ambitions. We are proud of our successful track record in working with a range of employers, from SMEs to blue-chip companies in various sectors across the West of Scotland.”

For more details about our Modern Apprenticeship programmes please call the Corporate Development team at Reid Kerr College on 0141 581 2121 or email [email protected]

There is a better wayto improve your staff’s performance.

Call us today for more details

0800 052 7343 Or visit our website

www.reidkerr.ac.uk

Getting the best out of your team doesn’t have to mean making them jump through fiery hoops. At Reid Kerr College our comprehensive range of tailored provision aims to support business sustainability and growth through the delivery of high quality training programmes, business improvement and knowledge exchange activities.

As one of the premier learning institutions in Scotland, our award winning training is individually designed to meet your business ambitions. With programmes that cover everything from Renewables to IT, and Health & Safety to Marketing we can support your organisation and employees to maximise their full potential, contributing to increased competitiveness and profitability.

Centre for Corporate Development, Reid Kerr College, Renfrew Road, Paisley PA3 4DR

TRAINING THAT DELIVERS RESULTS

apprenticeship accolades


The 2nd meeting of the Inchinnan Business Community Group recently took place at Rolls Royce. The group set up by Renfrewshire Chamber encourages companies based in Inchinnan to come together once a quarter to network, share best practice and work together to make Inchinnan a better place to work.

Bob Davidson, CEO of Renfrewshire

Chamber said “senior management from companies that attended the 1st session are already meeting up in between the meetings to get to know each other better, share learning’s and discuss opportunities - this is exactly what it’s all about. Inchinnan is home to many great business names employing thousands of Renfrewshire people. Anything we can do to help

improve their business can only be a good thing.”

If any Inchinnan based business would like to attend the next meeting on the 27th August 4pm at Peak Scientific please get in touch with Bob Davidson, CEO of Renfrewshire Chamber / [email protected], the events are free and last a couple of hours.

Life Technologies recently organised and led an Inchinnan Business Park clean up on the 24th May.

75 people volunteers gave up their time on the day involving staff from Life Technologies, GMI, Peak Scientific & Aulds with support from Renfrewshire Council. Items gathered on the day

included:- 38 bread baskets- 132 bags filled with litter- 8 car tyres- 1 TV- 1 Amplifier- 1 huge PVC field cover- 1 room divider

And a myriad of other items such as traffic cones, wooden pallets etc.

The event was organised by Andreas Elmecker, Sr. Shared Services Representative from the Life Technologies Finance Department and is a great example of businesses working together to improve their environment.

inchinnan Business community

the Big clean up


Launching their newest addition to the specialist fleet – the stunning Malcolm Logistics walking floor trailer has hit the UK’s roads.

With a flavour of Scotland, the new trailer boasts a truly eye-catching livery, using the idyllic setting of Loch Lomond.

Malcolm Logistics, a division of The Malcolm Group, launched this branded trailer, to promote the specialist logistics service they provide to customers in the renewables and recycling sectors.

The idea to brand the trailer with such a visually striking graphic was engineered by The Group’s Marketing Manager, Helen Ryan.

Helen commented, “Fleet branding is an integral part of our overall brand strategy, in increasing awareness and exposure. The vision with the graphic on this trailer was to promote our specialist service with high-impact.”

Incorporating the walking floor trailers into the Malcolm fleet, has added a new dimension to the overall business profile.

The launch of their specialist equipment service signifies a key move into a rapidly growing business sector.

These state-of-the-art trailers are multi-functional, suitable for transporting a wide variety of products including:

• Reclaimed Paper

• Paper Reels

• Green Waste

• Silica Sand

• Recycled Plasterboard

• Recovered Plastics

• Wood Waste

• Biomass

The Malcolm Group is a forward-thinking organisation and its focus is to develop marketable and highly innovative solutions, flexible enough to meet the challenges of the future - both commercially and environmentally.

If you would like further information on Malcolm Logistics’ specialist equipment service, please visit www.malcolmgroup.co.uk or contact Lawrence Fearon on 01698 835834.

MalcolmLogistics

Take theScenicRoute

Malcolm Logistics are now leading the way in providing high quality, dedicated logistics solutions, using their growing specialist fleet.


Engage Renfrewshire is the single access point for community action, volunteering and social enterprise in Renfrewshire. We are a flexible and innovative organisation that works to promote the views and ideas of local groups, organisations and individuals.

We work in close partnership with other support organisations as well as public and private sector bodies to ensure communities have the means to affect change where they deem necessary.

Throughout Scotland each local authority has a version of Engage Renfrewshire and they have come to be known as Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs).

ServicesOfficers at Engage are charged with delivering training and support that enables community capacity building and social enterprise. Our focus is on helping third sector organisations achieve their goals. We work in partnership to support and offer advice on all aspects of group and organisational development. Social Enterprise is also a key area for the company and significant work goes in to helping organisations decide if social enterprise is right for them. Engage can help start local organisations on their Social Enterprise journey - and direct them to appropriate support further down the line. The company also provides other business support services including payroll management.

Engage Renfrewshire provide a range community and voluntary support workshops – some of which include accredited training -

• Developing Your Community Capacity • How To Establish Your Group.• Knowing Your Constitutions• Gaining Funding• How To: Book-Keeping• Creating Sustainability• Using The Social Enterprise Tool kit• How To: Board of Directors• Understanding Protection of Vulnerable

Groups (PVG)• Managing Tendering and Procurement• Keeping Up Your Monitoring and

Evaluation

VolunteeringEngage offer a brokerage service between volunteers and volunteer involving organisations (VIOs). We help volunteers find fulfilling opportunities.

Organisations are supported to ensure that they can recruit suitable volunteers who contribute to developing a sustainable organisation. Resources are provided through Volunteer Friendly (VF) to ensure VIOs can support and celebrate the contribution that volunteers make to their delivery.

For volunteers aged between 12 and 25 Engage also support the Saltire Awards - a recognition scheme from the Scottish Government that helps develop and provide a pathway for young volunteers.

Employer supported volunteering (ESV)Engage Renfrewshire promotes Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV). ESV provides employees with the opportunity to volunteer with support from their employer. This may be in the form of time off for individual volunteering, or in a programme developed by the employer, such as a team challenge event or ongoing arrangement with a community partner to provide specialist skills or support.

ESV provides real benefits to the employer, the volunteers and community organisations they support. By helping tackle local issues, employers can benefit both themselves and the communities in which they operate.

In many cases employees volunteer in their own time outside of work and ESV is a small part of the time they volunteer. However, for many employees their ESV programme enables them to get involved when they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to.

Good Practice - SainsburysSainsbury’s at Braehead have been

supporting different communities around Renfrewshire. Their volunteering initiative was started as a result of requests from communities for funding and resource to improve or sustain their projects. Sainsburys identified that

the communities could benefit more from experience and man power rather than monetary support. From this they have provided staff volunteers to paint community centres and help schools with gardening projects.

To enhance their reputation in the local community they also sponsored and presented the ‘Renfrew Young Citizen’ award at the Renfrew Gala day which is planned to become an annual occurrence. Annually they also select a local charity to support through fundraising activities. This year they are close to achieving £20,000 for Erskine.

What can you do?We are looking to capture a picture of the landscape in Renfrewshire that shows organisations who support ESV and will be issuing a questionnaire to chamber members in the near future. From this we are looking to capture examples of good practise and any how we can support organisations to fill any gaps that may exist, where appropriate.

A follow up event will be planned to present the findings and give members of the chamber an opportunity to find out more about the third sector in Renfrewshire and how they can work together to develop ESV.

In the meantime if you require any further information please contact Stephen at [email protected] Tel: 0141 887 7707 Twitter: @Stephen_Engage

Web: www.engagerenfrewshire.com Facebook: Engage Renfrewshire

employer Supported Volunteering: the benefits outweigh the costs

Sainsbury’s, Renfrew Young Citizen Awards 2013

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper 1716 Business Matters Summer 2013 Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper 17

MerlinBUSINESS CENTRE

Call the team FREE on 0800 328 6823

Unbeatable rates • Immediate entryNo hidden extras

www.hillingtonpark.co.uk

Flexible managed office suites from 200 to 1,000 sq ft

employer Supported Volunteering: the benefits outweigh the costs

The recent Merlin Business Centre expansion and refurbishment has seen businesses moving to the new suites.

The addition of 18 open plan offices to its top floor and informal networking space on all levels, has been a big hit with new and existing tenants alike.

In the last two months, Merlin Business Centre has welcomed Xerox Property Services Ltd and RCM Worldwide Trading. KSD Support Services and Equip 4 Work have expanded within the Business Centre.

Both KSD Support Services and Equip 4 Work moved from other levels of Merlin into bigger suites, while Xerox Property

Services Ltd and RCM Worldwide Trading are new to Hillington Park.

“We are delighted with the feedback on the refurbishment of Merlin Business Centre,” says Alison Clark, MEPC Marketing and Customer Manager. “There is a real community spirit within Merlin and that’s been further enhanced with the new facilities we’ve added. We are thrilled to welcome new businesses to Merlin yet again and we hope that they, like so many of our tenants, find the business centre is the perfect place for them to grow their business.”

The new suites range in size from 205 sq ft to accommodate two to three people, to a larger 786 sq ft which can be

used for up to eight people.The business centre, now home to

almost 40 small businesses, is in a sought after location within Hillington Park due to its prominent position and easy access to the M8 motorway.

The MEPC team would welcome this opportunity to talk to your company about business aspirations, property needs and future requirements.

Visit us and based on your needs, we will provide you with a tour of Merlin business centre and talk with you about MEPC’s flexible approach to leasing and the range of property available.

Call the MEPC management office for more information on 0141 883 5760.

MERLIN BUSINESS CENTRE PROVING A HIT WITH SMALL BUSINESSES

MerlinBUSINESS CENTRE

Call the team FREE on 0800 328 6823

Unbeatable rates • Immediate entryNo hidden extras

www.hillingtonpark.co.uk

Flexible managed office suites from 200 to 1,000 sq ft


glasgowairport.com/destinations

Escape to the Cities• Amsterdam• Barcelona• Berlin• Copenhagen• Dublin

• Dusseldorf (NEW)

• Gdansk (NEW)

• Paris• Rome• Warsaw (NEW)

Escape to the cities with

Passenger growth at Glasgow Airport has continued with almost 665,000 people travelling through the airport in May 2013, representing an increase of just under 1% compared to the same period last year.

British Airways’ and easyJet’s London routes along with Flybe’s UK regional services provided a boost for domestic traffi c. Demand for international travel also remained strong and the performance of Lufthansa Regional’s Dusseldorf service and Wizz Air’s fl ights to Warsaw and Gdansk, contributed to a 15% increase in EU scheduled fl ights.

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “We have been working closely with our airline partners to introduce new routes and add capacity on existing services and our efforts have been refl ected in the continued increase in passenger numbers.

“We are now looking forward to what promises to be a busy summer season and have recruited additional members

of staff to meet the extra demand. They will be on-hand to offer assistance to the tens of thousands of passengers who will travel through the airport in the coming weeks and to ensure their holidays get off to the best possible start.”

The airport is continuing with its £17 million investment programme which will see key parts of the main terminal building undergo a major makeover. This

includes international arrivals which for many will be the gateway to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Earlier this month Glasgow Airport became the fi rst airport in the UK to achieve fi ve stars in a rigorous audit by the British Safety Council. The airport was assessed over four days, achieving the accreditation and the maximum fi ve stars at the fi rst attempt.

Glasgow airport reports passenger growth for May 2013


Virgin Atlantic has announced an increase in capacity of more than one third on its popular Florida flights from Glasgow Airport in 2014.

More than 14,000 extra seats will be available after the airline confirmed it will deploy a Boeing 747 aircraft for the duration of its 2014 programme.

The move means that up to 54,600 Scots will be able to travel direct from Glasgow to the Sunshine State in 2014, compared to the 40,420 seats on sale this year.

The 455 seat jumbo jet will replace a 314 seat Airbus A330 for 60 return flights between April and October. In previous years it has been used only during the peak months of June and July when Scottish schools are on holiday.

Last month Virgin Atlantic announced it would deploy the larger aircraft on the

route, which serves Orlando International Airport, during the month of October this year for the first time to meet additional demand around the school holiday week.

The Boeing aircraft features the airline’s award winning Upper Class cabin, in addition to the Premium Economy and Economy products available on the Airbus.

Edmond Rose, Virgin Atlantic’s director of airline planning, commented: “Since we launched our Glasgow services six years ago we have seen a steady increase in demand and we are delighted to bring our iconic Boeing 747s on to the route for the full summer season.

“Glasgow is an extremely important market for Virgin Atlantic and we are working really closely with the team at Glasgow airport as we continue to grow

demand for Virgin Atlantic’s flights from Scotland.”

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, added: “Our partnership with Virgin Atlantic has been a huge success story. Since the Florida flights began in 2007 passenger numbers have grown every year, and Virgin Atlantic has continued adding extra capacity to accommodate the increasing number of Scots travelling to Florida.

“That Virgin Atlantic is increasing capacity for 2014 by more than a third is a fantastic boost for Glasgow Airport and Scotland. The Boeing 747 is an iconic aircraft and we are delighted it will carry thousands more Scots on their summer holiday next year.”

Book flights from Glasgow to Florida at www.virgin-atlantic.com.

Glasgow Airport has become the first airport in the UK to achieve five stars in a rigorous audit by the British Safety Council.

The airport was assessed over four days, achieving the accreditation and the maximum five stars at the first attempt.

The outcome of the Combined OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Audit was based on interviews with managers and staff, site tours, inspections and a review of the airport’s safety management. The final report highlighted a number of areas of good practice.

Alex Botha, chief executive of the British Safety Council, said: “We warmly congratulate the staff and management at Glasgow Airport for their success in gaining five stars in their first audit undertaken through the British Safety Council. Managing one of the UK’s major airports, and all the risks that entails, is immensely challenging.

“Everyone concerned should derive tremendous satisfaction from their achievement. The auditors identified many strengths in Glasgow Airport’s management of risk in its operation, including the role played by senior management in providing leadership and direction, and the role of the wider workforce in ensuring the airport is kept safe and secure.”

Gillies Crichton, Glasgow Airport’s head of assurance, said: “The safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority at all times and to be the first UK

airport to achieve five stars in this audit is a fantastic achievement, particularly at the first attempt. It reflects the hard work which has taken place across the campus to reach this level.”

This is the latest in a long line of initiatives undertaken by the airport, which has received a host of awards for its excellent health & safety performance. In 2012, it received a Healthy Working Lives Gold Award, an International Safety Award, and a Gold award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Glasgow airport is first five star UK airport

Virgin atlantic toadd 14,000 extra seats from Glasgow airport in 2014

The safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority at all times and to be the first UK airport

to achieve five stars in this audit is a fantastic achievement, particularly at the first attempt.


Glasgow Airport’s managing director, Amanda McMillan, has been recognised by the Queen for her services to business and tourism by being named on the 2013 Birthday Honours List.

Ms McMillan, who was appointed managing director of Glasgow Airport in 2008, has received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in recognition of her success in steering it through the worst downturn in aviation history.

During this time she has succeeded in growing passenger numbers and fostering positive relationships with the airport’s city and national partners, with whom she has worked to

further strengthen Scotland’s connectivity. This has included the introduction in June 2012 of Emirates’ second daily Glasgow to Dubai service.

Commenting on her achievement, Ms McMillan said: “Not only is receiving an OBE a tremendous honour, it is both humbling and wholly unexpected. To be recognised by the Queen in this way is a source of great personal pride but I truly believe it is in recognition of my team, who work tirelessly to ensure Glasgow Airport continues to deliver for the city and for Scotland.”

Earlier this year, Ms McMillan unveiled details of an ambitious £17 million

investment programme which will see key parts of the main terminal building undergo a major makeover in 2013.

This includes international arrivals which for many will be the gateway to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

With the recent Renfrewshire Chamber Business Conference, held in Paisley Town Hall, where the speakers raised the Scottish Independence referendum in September 2014, business saw at first hand that for the most part, politicians do not have perfect knowledge of the business world or how it really operates. Most politicians have no idea how their ideas and policies impact on the day to day running of most businesses. Very few politicians have ever run a business of any size. Moreover, most business people have no idea why

politicians make the decisions that they do, as frequently the decisions appear not to make any sense.

Perspectiva Consultants, a boutique government relations consultancy can help and guide businesses through the maze that is politics. Perspectiva have experience of dealing with Government at every level:- Local Government, Scottish Parliament, Westminster and the

European Parliament as well as with civil servants, who can be another challenge altogether. Perspectiva Consultants are members of the CIPR, ASPA and the APPC. Quality and the highest standards and an ethical approach are guaranteed.

For any further, please contact Karen Freel, our Director either on 0141 375 7815 or [email protected] , we will be delighted to help.

Helping business understand how to work with politics and politicians

Glasgow airport MD awarded oBe

Amanda McMillan, MD Glasgow Airport


They say a happy workforce is a productive workforce and over the years there have been many studies proving that maxim.

One of the ways to get the most out of your staff is to make them feel valued by giving them a reward for their efforts over and above their normal salary.

You would want your staff to go that little bit extra for your company or organisation, so let your workers know you are willing to go that little bit extra for them.

Intu Braehead can provide a solution to what you can do to make your employees feel they are valued and what they do is really important to the success of the company or organisation.

An intu Braehead gift card lets your staff know how much you appreciate their efforts and at the same time, they

get to choose a reward they really want. Since gift cards can be used in over 100 stores at the centre, including the retail park, IKEA and Xscape, there will always be something your staff can choose to spend their gift card on.

Intu Braehead’s marketing manager, Lydia Brown said: ‘A happy and motivated workforce allows companies to enjoy increased staff productivity, lower levels of absenteeism, lower staff turnover fi gures and employees with a positive attitude who in turn provide better customer service.

‘Rewarding staff for a particular project or achievement will make them feel that their efforts have been recognised and that their work is appreciated. The power of making staff feel valued should not be underestimated.’

Corporate orders can be placed with the management team at intu Braehead or ordered online at www.intubraehead.co.uk. To place a corporate order, contact centre management by calling 0141 885 1441 or emailing [email protected].

Play your gift cards right and get more from your staff

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Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper 21

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Make summer time family time with our exclusive family pass where we offer a haven of tranquillity from the stresses of modern family life, with a heated full size swimming pool, large Jacuzzi, luxurious sauna, steam room and family changing area as well as comfortable seating surrounding the pool area, our spa facilities offer the ideal space for families to have fun and unwind - regardless of the weather outside!

If you require a more relaxing and tranquil experience why not take advantage of our other exciting summer offer. The Spa-Nanza package including full use of the leisure facilities, Bath Robe, Slippers, Towel and a Glass of Bubbly by the Pool, prior to our experienced beauty therapists helping you to relax and unwind with a luxurious Back, Neck and shoulder massage.

To take advantage of these exclusive summer offers please call 0141 812 0123 opt 3.

Super Summer offers for all at the erskine Bridge Hotel Health club and Spa

22 Business Matters Summer 2013

According to the British Dental Health Foundation, there are just three simple steps to maintaining good oral health.

As part of National Smile Month, taking place between May 20 and June 20, the foundation has issued the simple three-step reminder. This includes brushing teeth for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cutting back on sugary drinks and foods and visiting the dentist regularly.

But according to the foundation, a quarter of adults don’t brush their teeth twice a day – worrying figures, given that people who only brush once a day are a third more likely to develop tooth decay.

Meanwhile, visiting the dentist at least once a year reduces the risk of tooth decay by 60 per cent.*

However, the foundation has also found that many of us put off visiting the dentist because of money worries, with nearly a fifth (19 per cent) delaying their treatment due to the cost and more than a quarter (26 per cent) admitting price has an effect on the type of dental treatment they opt for.

Research by YouGov also revealed a third of UK workers who don’t have access to a dental plan through their employer would like cover to be available to them.**

Westfield Health’s Chamber Primary Health Plan, which is available to all members of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, includes a dental benefit and provides a set amount of money back towards the cost of NHS or private dental treatment.

Westfield’s Executive Director Paul Shires said: “Employers regularly tell us they value the dental cover in their plans, not only as an employee benefit, but also to help them control the amount of time taken off for unplanned dental emergencies.

“The benefit helps to provide more choice for people seeking treatment and care, and eases concerns about paying dental bills.

“And, with poor oral health linked to a number of serious health issues such as strokes, coronary heart disease and diabetes, it is an issue for employees and

employers alike to take seriously and act upon.”

The plan also offers a dental trauma benefit, which gives employees money back towards the cost of treatment carried out as a result of accidental injury to their teeth.

For more information about the Chamber Plan, visit www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber or call 0845 602 1629, available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

YOU REALLYSHOULD BE MOREABSENT MINDED

MAKE YOUR BUSINESS BETTER TODAY, CALL

0845 602 1629www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber

If you haven’t got your mind on absent staff it could be costing your company in moreways than one. Apart from the extra burden on your workforce, staff absence costsyour company on average £659* for every person you employ. Which is a frighteningfigure and that’s why our health cash plans make so much sense.

From just £1.10 per employee, per week, our Chamber Primary Health Plan coversoptical, dental, therapy treatments, consultations, MRI, CT and PET scanning and a24 hour counselling and advice line. The result is a workforce that is healthy and wellmotivated. So it really does pay to be more absent minded.

*Source: CIPD Absence Management Report 2007

J27289_Chamber Ad 3/12/08 08:48 Page 1

British Airways CEO Keith Williams has proudly opened a new lounge at Glasgow Airport, double the size of the flag-carrier’s previous lounge, and full of characteristic Scottish features including leather from Bridge of Weir.

Luxurious and high performance low carbon leather from Scottish Leather Group (parent of the Bridge of Weir and Muirhead brands) is a familiar site across the British Airways’ global network, featuring on many of its aircraft and lounges in airports around the world.

The airline’s £800,000 new lounge at Glasgow Airport, designed by the city’s Graven Images design company, boasts a host of exemplary local products including Harris Tweed lamp shades, art from Glasgow School of Art graduates and a new Glenlivet Whisky Snug. Bridge of Weir leather features on seating throughout the lounge, which accommodates 150 passengers in unique Scottish style.

Bridge of Weir sales director, Jamie Davidson, said: “We are very proud that

our leather has been selected for BA’s new lounge at Glasgow Airport alongside other award winning Scottish products. With over 90% of our production exported, as recognised by our recent Queen’s Award for Export, it is very satisfying that many international visitors to our great city will experience the quality of Bridge of Weir leather at the airport.”

Jim Keegan, regional customer services manager for British Airways in the UK and Ireland, added: “British Airways’ new lounge represents a significant investment and demonstrates a continued commitment to delivering customer service excellence both in the air and on the ground to those travelling on our services to and from Glasgow.”

BRiDGe oF WeiR leatHeR SelecteD BY BRitiSH aiRWaYS FoR neW GlaSGoW aiRPoRt lounGe

a healthy smile - easy as 1, 2, 3

*http://www.nationalsmilemonth.org/page/facts-and-figures ** http://www.hi-mag.com/health-insurance/product-area/cash-plans-dental/article398889.ece

22 Business Matters Summer 2013 Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper 23

ADVANCING: YOU

Life Technologies is an Equal Employment Opportunity/

Affirmative Action employer.

At Life Technologies, we believe in the power of science to improve the human condition and in the power of people to make it happen. It’s our passionate employees who create improvements in the world, in our company and in their personal lives. We also know that you have to care for yourself before you can care for your company and the world. So, we provide the benefit, reward, impact, development and network opportunities to enable and support your drive to make a difference in the world.

So take charge. Join us in discovering the infinite surprises and solutions science—and you—can reveal at our Inchinnan location and beyond.

Shaping discovery. Improving life.

lifetechnologies.com/careers

LIFE_048_EMEA_TAAd_060613.indd 1 6/6/13 4:37 PM

*http://www.nationalsmilemonth.org/page/facts-and-fi gures ** http://www.hi-mag.com/health-insurance/product-area/cash-plans-dental/article398889.ece

One of the newest delights at the heart of Paisley, EVE Spa, has been drawing in crowds from all over Scotland who are searching for a little piece of paradise.

EVE Spa boasts a 5 star experience with a range of unique and alternative experiences to encourage overall relaxation and wellness for both women and men. Not only does the spa offer a full range of beauty treatments (including facials, massage, waxing and spray tanning), they also have variety of exciting experiences, including the Thermal Experience which features Rasul Mud Chamber, Aroma Room, Chinese Salt Room, Monsoon Showers, Sauna and much more.

After a £500,000 investment, the spa is set to rival the country’s top spa attractions and become Renfrewshire’s premier spa destination – with opulent surroundings and award winning products and experiences, offering its users the chance to be transported into what feels like another world.

Tony Finn, Business and Service Development Manager at Renfrewshire Leisure, said:

“Since opening in September last year, EVE Spa has gone from strength to strength and we’re delighted with the reaction it’s received. We encourage individuals as well as businesses to call us or visit to fi nd out more about the range of experiences and packages available.”

EVE Spa is open 7 days a week, with treatments available until 9pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Standby experiences are available for those wishing to try-out one of their indulgent treatments, however memberships are available from just £29.99 per month, allowing for an easy and affordable way to treat yourself to a blissful experience each day. The EVE Team would be glad to discuss organising of team building events, group bookings or corporate memberships.

For more information on EVE Spa, or to arrange an appointment visit www.eve-spa.co.uk or call on 0141 840 8200.

eVe Spa; the luxury destination spa on your door step!


Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport makes an inviting home-from-home, situated within the complex of Glasgow International Airport and less than a one-minute walk from the terminal, making life easier for travelling guests, whose time is precious.

The hotel’s location allows easy access to key venues, with Glasgow city centre a mere ten minute bus journey away and The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Scotland’s largest convention complex, just seven miles from the hotel.

Offering outstanding facilities for families and business travellers alike, the Traders Restaurant has a delicious array of authentic Scottish breakfast choices available from 5am, so even guests travelling early can be sure they have a good, wholesome start to the day.

Plus the hotel now serves Starbucks in its Bar Lounge for guests to enjoy at their leisure or take with them for a caffeine boost on-the-go.

RefurbishmentThe hotel has been open for over 40

years and is in the middle of a three year refurbishment programme to give the hotel’s appearance a complete overhaul, which is proving incredibly popular with guests, business people and local dignitaries.

Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: “The Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport is an iconic building which dominates the skyline. The General Manager, Douglas Winfield, and his team should be congratulated for overseeing a fantastic makeover.

“For many, Glasgow Airport will be the gateway to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and it is important we are all ready to play our part. We are currently investing £17 million on enhancing many aspects of our terminal building and I am delighted the Holiday Inn has also committed significant funding to such an extensive refurbishment project.”

Academy Conference CentreThe hotel has long been a popular venue for business travellers, due to its location and high quality, extensive Academy Conference Centre. The centre has 18

meeting rooms, with the largest room comfortably holding 300 delegates. Conference and event bookers are assigned their own dedicated conference and event team to cater to their needs and support them through every step of the organisation process.

Business TravelBusiness travel is stressful by nature, as delays can mean guests miss important meetings or conferences. Spending the night at a conveniently located airport hotel before travelling is a great opportunity to plan and prepare for the day ahead, so guests can be safe in the knowledge that they are close to the airport terminal.

Airport parking is another stressful and seemingly expensive part of the

travelling process. Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport has eliminated this with its Park, Stay and Go product, which includes one night’s accommodation the night before you fly and up to fifteen days of secure overnight parking. This is convenient for travellers and there are no hidden charges.

the Sky’s the limit For Holiday inn Glasgow airport - £1 Million Refurbishment for airport Hotel


We’ve refreshed our hotel for youAt Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport we have recently refurbished our Bar Lounge and given our exterior building a make-over, and the difference is impressive. Come and enjoy your favourite Starbucks in our contemporary Bar Lounge or a delicious meal in our restaurant.

Visit us today, our friendly team look forward to welcoming you.

Call us for more information on 0871 942 9031 or visit higlasgowairporthotel.co.uk

Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport

STAY REFRESHED.


Mike Cantlay, Chair of Visit Scotland, ‘launched’ this initiative as part of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park’s Year of Natural Scotland 2013 events and activities. Sailfaris provide a unique opportunity for visitors to combine marine wildlife watching with learning to sail an ocean going yacht ‘The Clyde Muirshiel Explorer’.

Mike Cantlay Chairman of Visit Scotland said: “I’m delighted to have been invited to come along and take part in the launch. The Year of Natural Scotland is all about getting as many people as possible out and about experiencing our amazing country for themselves. Scotland is blessed with some beautiful landscapes and wonderful wildlife, with the Firth of Clyde having each in abundance. I’m sure that the Sailfaris initiative will help to boost the region’s natural tourism product at a rate of knots.”

The Firth of Clyde provides one of the largest areas of sheltered deep water in the British Isles making it an ideal

destination for both sailing and wildlife watching. Marine tourism activities in Scotland have economic benefits equal to golf tourism. Clyde Muirshiel is Scotland’s largest Regional Park and this area alone generates £62 million of tourism expenditure each year.

The launch of the Clyde Muirshiel Explorer Sailfaris was attended by representatives from national agencies and key tourism businesses from in and around the Park area.

Cllr Chris Gilmour, Chair of Clyde Muirshiel Park Authority said “Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is a unique ‘green’ asset in west central Scotland and Year of Natural Scotland 2013 will be a showcase for its landscape and natural heritage leaving a legacy of learning and re-connection with our Scottish countryside.

The Clyde Muirshiel Explorer can accommodate 8 people of a day sail or 6 people for a 2 day overnight trip, both are fully catered and cost £85 or £165. Corporate bookings can also be arranged,

exclusive use of the boat for one day costs from £450 providing an ideal environment for team building, doing business or encouraging investment as you take your clients on a tour of some of the best scenery and wildlife that Scotland has to offer.

Some of the tourism representatives board the Clyde Muirshiel Explorer before the maiden voyage. Standing from left Mike Cantlay, VisitScotland; David O’Neill, ASVA Chair and CMRP; Bob Grant, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce; Cllr Christopher Gilmour Clyde Muirshiel Park Authority; Bobby McGhee North Ayrshire Council; Marc Crothall, Scottish Tourism Alliance; David Hill CMRP; seating from the left Charles Woodward CMRP Manager; Ruth Cooper Renfrewshire Council; Annique Armstrong VisitScotland; Hayley Douglas CMRP.

Mike cantlay launches ‘Sailfaris on Firth of clyde’

Our new multi-purpose Air Dome (1st in Scotland) has been fully operational now for 6 weeks. The synthetic, indoor arena is suitable for a variety of different sporting requirements.

Initial taster sessions proved very popular and many groups have now committed to regular bookings. We’re continuously looking to facilitate new groups and sports within the Dome when possible. The Dome can comfortably facilitate adult 8-a-side, adult team training, multiple small-sided matches for youths, 2/3 youth teams training (age dependant) and is also suitable for other indoor activities.

User groups for our new Dome have included:• ASN School groups • Active Schools Girls Football Festivals • Primary School visits • SFA School of Football • School of Rugby

• Adult amateur team training • Adult 8-a-side • Junior Football team training • Youth football team training/matches • St. Mirren FC Community Football

Centres • St. Mirren FC Street Football

Programme • SFA Equity Inclusion ProgrammeFor booking or enquires please contact:David Mackay: 07809 341 876 [email protected] Paterson: 07702 287 693 [email protected]

St. Mirren Fc air Dome

As the air dome is in the flight path for Glasgow Airport we’re seeking a sponsor for the roof of the airdome. 6.8 million passengers currently fly in and out of the airport each year and with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year these figures are expected to rise considerably. If any businesses would be interested in this unique opportunity please contact [email protected] or call 07790 268978.

Paisley Panda


Renfrewshire is home to the Scottish Huntington’s Association, the country’s only charity dedicated to supporting families affected by this degenerative brain disorder.

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a hereditary progressive condition that causes changes to muscle control, thinking processes and may cause long-term mental health issues. The average age of onset is between 33 and 45, there is currently no cure for HD. Those living with the condition will require 24 hour care as it progresses into its later stages. It is also hereditary with each child of someone diagnosed with HD is at 50% risk of developing the condition themselves.

Prevalence of Huntington’s disease generally has increased threefold in the last twenty years. There are estimated to be 1,100 people in Scotland living with the condition but as many as 5,000 could be potentially at risk.

Services provided for those families affected by the disease includes specialist

nursing care and the world’s only HD youth support service.

Although based in Paisley they run nine regional service centres: Glasgow, Lothian, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Highland, Grampian, Tayside, Fife and Angus.

SHA services are funded through partnership with the NHS and local authorities, but with pressures on public spending, the SHA needs to find around £300,000 every year to keep its group of dedicated nurses delivering day-to-day support to families living with Huntington’s disease.

John Eden, CEO of the Scottish Huntington’s Association, said: “Despite the fact that Huntington’s disease is not a particularly rare condition, it has a relatively low profile compared to other conditions

“Huntington’s disease is every bit as devastating as other severe neurological conditions and the lack of awareness is largely because, unlike other conditions, Huntington’s disease is shrouded in fear

and stigma. Families are very reluctant to talk about it because the genetic risk has so many potential implications for their children, jobs and long-term financial security. For example, people with the HD gene won’t get life insurance. That stigma can be amplified by the fear of the mental health problems that are sometimes symptoms of HD.

“The net result is that even medical professionals can find it difficult to give patients informed advice about the disease, making our service even more vital. We have worked with people who have Huntington’s disease every day since 1989, giving us an unrivalled knowledge of the support which is available from local councils, NHS services and other organisations.”

He added: “Although we are committed to providing ongoing support, without the funding we need, we will be unable to offer the same level of service as we do currently and this will only affect those families who need our help the most.”

The Stand Comedy Club 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6NG

Wednesday 17th July 2013Doors open 7.30pm

Ticket price: £6All proceeds will be donated to the work of SHA.

Scottish Huntington’s Association

Comedy Night

To purchase your ticket(s) go online @ www.hdscotland.org or call

Linda Byars on 0141 848 0308 for details.The largest urban ice wall in the world is now open at Snow Factor in Xscape, Braehead. Recent Chamber lunch speaker and Snow Factor owner & MD Jamie Smith is pictured with Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism. For more info please visit www.snowfactor.com

World 1st for Renfrewshire

Scotland wide role for Renfrewshire charity


Serving healthcare professionals

For further information or advice please contact:

Neil [email protected] 886 6644

www.campbelldallas.co.uk

Specialists in tax planning, accountancy and business advisory services to healthcare professionals.

Serving healthcare professionals

For further information or advice please contact:

Neil [email protected] 886 6644

www.campbelldallas.co.uk

Specialists in tax planning, accountancy and business advisory services to healthcare professionals.

With the Chancellor’s recent announcement of a reduced Life Time Allowance (LTA) limit from April 2014 (to £1.25 million), many more GPs will likely consider retirement in the next 15 months than would otherwise have been the case.

Some of these GPs will not necessarily wish to take full retirement by that date and with this in mind, the purpose of this bulletin is to set out some of the key points to consider in connection with a partner considering a ‘24 hour retirement’.

Any GP partner wishing to take 24 hour retirement should firstly give reasonable notice to their partners in the practice of their intention. If they obtain agreement to this then notification of the planned date of retiral should be made to the Practitioner Services office for the area in which the practice operates and to SPPA.

At the time of 24 hour retiral, the partner concerned will cease working in

the practice for a day and return 24 hours later having ceased working in all NHS jobs in that 24 hour period.

In the month following taking 24 hour retirement, the partner concerned can only work for a maximum of 16 hours per week on NHS work. After that first month, there is no such limit.

From the date of ‘24 hour retirement’, the retiring partner will no longer need to make any superannuation contributions (employee and employer). Thus, the Health Board will not make deductions for that partner for superannuation contributions from the monthly payments to the practice. Consequently, the ‘retiring’ partner will receive a full allocation of profits in the practice accounts without a first charge on profits for employers superannuation contributions and they will not have any deductions in their Capital/Current accounts for employee contributions.

If ‘24 hour retirement’ is an option

likely to be considered by partners in your practice in future then it would be a good idea to include clauses in the Partnership Agreement covering the provisions permitting a 24 hour retirement and a return to the practice thereafter. There should also be consideration of how the month following 24 hour retirement be dealt with in terms of profit allocation (e.g. does the partner concerned receive a reduced profit share based on the 4 sessions performed or do they get their full allocation but they meet the locum costs personally of the locums covering their other sessions).

It’s already an area we’re seeing an increased number of queries on and this will likely continue.

Please contact us if you have any queries on this article or indeed, on any general accountancy or tax matters:

Neil [email protected]

Roy Hogg [email protected]

Employees at Chivas Brothers’ Paisley site took part in parent company Pernod Ricard’s global day of action on responsible drinking – Responsib’ALL Day – yesterday.

Employees heard from guest speaker Police Superintendent Martin Gordon of the Scottish Academy of Business Resilience Excellence and took part in driving simulations, quizzes, reaction-time challenges and a morning-after test to see how long it takes alcohol to leave your body after a night out. Responsib’ALL Day takes place at Pernod Ricard affiliates throughout the world, with 18,800 people participating globally.

24 Hour Retirement: the Key Points

chivas Brothers


This event will reveal the strategies of some very successful organisations - those who have adopted a co-ordinated approach towards health and well being and are now reaping the rewards. This is a must attend event for all modern workplaces. We will tell you about tried and tested methods that will enable you to start your health and wellbeing journey.

Research from PriceWaterhouseCoopers has found that for every £1 an organisation invests in health and wellbeing, they could see a return of over £4 due to benefits such as reduced sickness and improved productivity – a statistic which highlights the importance of encouraging happy and

healthy employees.The health and wellbeing agenda is

much broader than just encouraging healthy eating and physical fitness. It’s no longer enough to provide free fruit and gym membership and expect this to deliver a healthy and motivated workforce.

Health & Wellbeing Improves: • Employee engagement • Ideas and innovation • Morale and motivation • Employee and talent retention • Quality • Loyalty and advocacy• Productivity• High performance workplaces

Health and Wellbeing Reduces:• Absence Rates• Recruitment Costs• Agency cover costs• Health Insurance costs• Litigation costs

Following research with employers, Investors in People believes good health and wellbeing practices encourage improvement, rather than just minimising sickness and injury.

This event is essential to all employers seeking to create a positive working environment in which employees flourish and business goals are achieved.

Why should you be improving Health and Wellbeing? the answer is in the question...

“Employers are becoming increasingly aware of the performance benefits of investing in the health and wellbeing of their people. There are strong links with improving employee engagement. In the current economic climate, companies need to adapt and be innovative. Health and wellbeing programmes are proving to be very effective at helping organisations gain the buy-in of their employees, maintain their commitment and build their resilience.”

- Dame Carol Black, National Director for Health and Work

EVENT: PRotectinG YouR aSSetS – HealtH, WellBeinG anD enGaGeMenttueSDaY 8tH octoBeR 8.30-10 at RenFReWSHiRe cHaMBeR – GlaSGoW aiRPoRt. COST: FRee to attenD.


Life is certainly good at Paisleys longest running health club Pro-Life Fitness Centre and so far 2013 has proven to be very successful for the independent gym situated in the heart of Renfrewshire with a steady and consistent growth from month to month, long may it continue.

First opened in Espedair St Paisley in June 1990, Pro-Life’s membership increased at such a rapid rate that the club had to re-locate to larger premises, the current location, on New Sneddon St in Feb 1992 and subsequently expanded the site to a 30,000 sq ft building adding additional mezzanine training areas, spa facilities, group exercise studios along with 5 fi ve a side football pitches, sports bar and function suite, it’s safe to say we have been very productive with our time over the past 23 years.

Always keen to improve our facilities, proprietor Alex Whelan

invested £150k on new equipment in June 2012, a shrewd decision which has seen our membership increase, our attrition rate drop, placed us on the National Fitness Industry’s shortlist for Gym of the North and helped us receive title Centre of Excellence from Sport Renfrewshire ensuring that we are preferred facility used to train Renfrewshire’s talented young athletes.

Pro-Life has always had strong links throughout the community both by the regular support we provide our two main charities, Accord & St Vincent’s Hospice, and also by consistently sponsoring local sports clubs such as Paisley Velo Cycling Team & Braehead Clan Ice Hockey to name a few, it’s important for us to make sure we show gratitude to the people of Renfrewshire in as many ways as possible for the loyal custom and essential word of mouth referrals which have helped keep us trading as

a successful business for so long.We have built up strong partnerships

in the local business community over the years with companies such as BAA & Rolls Royce and, due to our use of corporate benefi ts facility Gymfl ex and our mobile corporate unit which promotes healthy living within the workplace, we are developing new business clients on a weekly basis.

Our ‘It’s Personal’ approach ensures we provide high quality fi tness assessments, gym inductions, training programmes and bespoke healthy eating plans for all our members and corporate partners and as a token of our esteem we would like to provide all Renfrewshire Chamber members, friends and family the chance to test the Pro-Life experience fi rst hand with a complimentary 7 day pass for the club valid until 31st August 2013.

Simply contact the club on the details provided quoting ‘Chamber’ to activate and Come To Life!

chamber comes to life



University of the West of Scotland has won the right to host the Leisure Studies Association (LSA) Conference in July 2014 in Paisley.

LSA 2014, Sport, Festivity and Digital Cultures brings together comparative and contrasting perspectives upon both the digital age in leisure and upon digital practices as leisure - as prevalent in cultural forms, such as sport or festivity and other leisure pursuits.

The conference takes place in a particularly important year for both Scotland and the global sporting and cultural communities.

Scotland plays host to the XXth Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup in 2014 at Gleneagles. Culturally, 2014 also marks the second “Year of Homecoming”, encouraging the successors of the global Scottish diaspora to return home for a year of

cultural “extravaganza and festivity. For information on conference themes see: www.uws.ac.uk/lsa2014

Cultural Planning University of the West of Scotland has

developed a short course in Cultural Planning which will run in September 2013. It provides an introduction to the background and concepts of cultural planning, drawing on a range of sectors such as culture, housing, planning, social work, health and education.

It is aimed at professionals working in the above areas, and is of interest to those who wish to understand the background, concepts and approaches to cultural planning and those seeking to develop partnerships and collaborators from across a range of areas to fi nance new initiatives and developments.

The course equips participants to:• Understand the concepts of cultural

planning and be able to identify practical models of Cultural Planning

• Identify a range of growth areas in the Creative Economy

• Understand a range of fi nance models that would be needed to enable a cultural planning approach

• Critically evaluate an opportunity or business plan that would lend itself to a cultural planning approach

www.uws.ac.uk/cpd-culturalplanning

Cultural Planning Continual Professional Development

A four day course on the background and concepts of cultural planning

10th/11th September and 12th/13th November2013

Cultural Planning Continual Professional Development

A four day course on the background and concepts of cultural planning

10th/11th September and 12th/13th November2013

Cultural Planning Continual Professional DevelopmentThis short course provides an introduction to the background and concepts of cultural planning, drawing on a range of sectors such as culture, housing, planning, social work, health and education.

Aimed at professionals working in the above areas, the course will be of interest to those who wish to understand the background, concepts and approaches to cultural planning and those seeking to adopt the approach with partners and collaborators across a range of areas to finance new initiatives and developments.

At the end of this course, participants will:

• understandtheconceptsofculturalplanningandbeabletoidentifypracticalmodelsofculturalplanning

• developtheabilitytoidentifyarangeofgrowthareasintheCreativeEconomy

• understandarangeoffinancemodelsneededtoenableaculturalplanningapproach

• beabletocriticallyevaluateanopportunityorbusinessplanthatwouldlenditselftoculturalplanning

DeliveryThecoursewillbedeliveredoverfourdaysintwodayblocks.ThecoursewillcompriseworkshopsandpresentationsattheUniversityandon-siteinlocationsinGlasgow.

FundingThe course is eligible for Skills Development Scotland funding or ILA funding – see website below for more info.

More informationMore information about this course can be found at www.uws.ac.uk/cpd-culturalplanning [email protected]

leisure Studies association (lSa) conference 2014

Getting access to fi nance is much more diffi cult in the post-GFC environment. But instead of giving up when traditional lenders say ‘no,’ there are alternatives.

Commercial and Asset Finance Limited is a thriving fi nance brokerage based at St James Business Centre in Linwood. Our directors have over 14 years experience in obtaining fi nance for small to medium sized businesses. We have a broad range of lenders who are willing to provide fi nance in a variety of ways that are different from a traditional bank loan. These include:

• Hire Purchase • Finance Lease• Asset Equity Release Loans• Commercial Loans• Invoice Discounting/ Factoring

Whether you are looking to purchase a car, van or larger item of plant or equipment we can help.

If you have business cash fl ow requirements or need access to funds, our lenders can help too.

As a new member of the Chamber of Commerce, Commercial and Asset Finance welcomes calls from other members for a free, no obligation, informal chat about your requirements.

Please feel free to contact us on Tel No: 0141 25870674, Mobile: 07920 796717 or alternatively you can email Blair Michie on: [email protected]

need access to cash? Help is at hand!


Call 0800 91 95 92or visit our website: www.bibbyfinancialservices.com

We’ve been helping UK companies grow their business using invoice finance for nearly 30 years.

Find out how we could help yours.

Danny McIntyre, CEO, Prime Staff

“Since we started working with Bibby Financial Services our business has seen significant growth”

108478 BFS ITE Renfrewshire Ad A6 v5.indd 1 07/06/2013 12:05

Businesses in Renfrewshire performing well today have battled through the recession and as a result are leaner, tougher and wiser than before. But many are still erring on the side of caution when it comes to business growth. In fact, our own research recently highlighted that 38 per cent of businesses in Scotland were waiting for wider economic growth before investing.

What is clear from our Business Factors Index, which tracks the turnover of our 4,000 UK SME clients, is that there are growth opportunities in abundance across each sector.

With the emergence of some business confidence following the - albeit minimal - GDP growth figures, we hope to see more SMEs in Renfrewshire looking to invest leading to increasing activity.

Whatever happens, we will continue to make our funding available for businesses looking to grow. In fact, the amount of funding we have made available to new customers has increased by a staggering 18 per cent in Q1, suggesting that many businesses have been searching for required funding during this period to enable them to implement growth plans throughout the rest of the year.

On average, we take on a new customer every 90 minutes which we’re extremely proud of. Feedback from our clients confirms our belief that we’re able to provide a more personalised, flexible and suitable funding solution for their business at competitive rates.

Now is the time for SMEs to consider spreading their gaze beyond the banks to enable them to plan and invest for the future.

Business growth opportunities in Renfrewshire

25 Years of caring for allSt Vincent’s Hospice is an independent charity providing free specialist palliative care for those living with a life limiting illness. Our objective is to provide Specialist Palliative care both in the hospice and within the local community.

In this, our 25th Anniversary year, we started by recognising and celebrating the successes of our past, from our small beginnings in 1988 at North Road, Johnstone to where we are today. Today our core services include an eight bed inpatient unit, day hospice and specialist community services supporting people at home.

But we want to do so much more and care for many more, so we have set ourselves the challenge of raising 1 million pounds in this, our 25th year.

We recognise the enormity and complexity of the changes that are affecting hospice care: from profound demographic and epidemiological shifts, to significant changes in how health and social care is delivered now and will be in the future. This is, of course, set against a backdrop of financial challenges that face us all.

Government, research and our own

experience tell us that many more people will be recognised as needing palliative care. We at St Vincent’s are seeing more life prolonging treatments and cancer care, more complex interventions to improve a range of chronic conditions and sadly a significant rise in the incidence of dementia.

Since our 25th Anniversary launch in

January we have held a series of fundraising events including our 25th Anniversary Ball at Glasgow Central Hotel, and Challenge 25 – a weekend duathon cycle and trek on the Isle of Arran.

Over the next 6 months we will continue with our high profile campaign to thank everyone who has supported the Hospice, with our media partner the Paisley Express, highlighting modern hospice care and the unique way in which we fund the care we deliver.

In a challenging economic climate we have to work even harder to ensure that we are making progress and that we turn this vision into a reality. Everyone at St Vincent’s Hospice recognises that without the ongoing generosity of the people and organisations that support us, we would not be able to continue and develop our care.

To find out how your business and staff can support our campaign and become involved, log on to our website - www.svh.co.uk


Boyd & Company managing director Mr Richardson said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of George Semple & Company.”

He added: “George Semple & Company is an excellent strategic fi t for our existing business and will further enhance our ability to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of insurance and risk management services to personal and commercial clients.”

Commenting on his broader plans for Boyd & Company, Mr Richardson said: “We have seen consistent organic growth over the last 5 years and are confi dent the addition of George Semple & Company will help us achieve

annual premium revenue in excess of £10 million in the forthcoming fi nancial year”.

Mr Richardson said George Semple & Company staff will move into Boyd & Company offi ces, located in Mill Street, Paisley; to give a team of 25 experienced insurance practitioners. He added “ As the fi rst general insurance broker in Scotland to achieve Investor in People status our commitment to training and development of staff continues to be a key factor in our growth plans”.

He added: “The acquisition coincides with a key milestone for Boyd & Company as we celebrate 40 years of business this year.”

Boyd & companyltd set to achieve turnover target in excess of £10m

Boyd & Company Ltd and George Semple & Company Ltd combine forces to strengthen their position in local insurance market.

‘I’m thrilled to be working with such a prestigious organisation as Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce,’ said Cherie Guthrie. ‘I am looking forward to building on the close relationship that First Data has developed with Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to offering discounted rates to members, First Data is keen to help members understand more about related issues and upcoming trends in credit and debit payment acceptance. ‘Contactless payments are gaining traction amongst consumers and we’ll see that trend continue but, as a

global business, we are looking further beyond that into mobile commerce and how payment types will evolve into a new ecosystem centred around the consumer.’

If you’d like to discuss your card acceptance services, hear about our discounted rates or have any questions about electronic payments, please call Cherie Guthrie on 07703 608027 or see www.fi rstdatams.co.uk.

Merchant Solutions are provided by FDR Limited, trading as First Data Merchant Solutions, as agents for Bank of Scotland plc, the registering member under the Relevant Card Schemes.

Meet our new card payment contactIf you’re looking to fi nd out more about credit or debit card acceptance or take advantage of preferential rates, Cherie Guthrie is our new contact at First Data Merchant Solutions.

Cherie Guthrie, Business Manager, First Data


Renfrewshire Chamber have partnered with industry specialists Jumpstart to give you a helping hand in securing R&D tax credits

Introduced in 2000, R&D tax credits are the Government’s way of encouraging exciting new products and services.

Why?Because by helping to reduce some of the fi nancial risk for companies, the Government hopes they’ll fi nd new and innovative techniques to make the UK more competitive internationally.

Who is eligible?The Government’s R&D tax credits scheme isn’t just for companies with R&D departments and men in white coats.

Indeed, you may be surprised to discover that any company that spends money trying to improve a product or service through a technological advance,

using qualifi ed staff and appropriate project controls, and where there’s doubt about the project’s success, is likely to be eligible.

Over 6,600 SMEs and 1,760 Large Companies are already claiming more than £980m each year in R&D tax relief from HMRC, but many more thousands aren’t.

Is your company one of them?

How can your company benefi t?From April 2011, companies have been able to deduct up to 225% of qualifying expenditure when calculating their profi t for tax purposes. What’s more, you can claim R&D tax relief on expenditure that’s up to three years old.

The precise size of the tax credit will depend on the size of your company, its tax rate and how many of your activities are eligible. Smaller companies, for example, can claim at a higher rate and qualify for extra fi nancial support if

they’re loss making.

How do I make a claim?You could make a claim yourself – by compiling a detailed technical report and exhaustive fi nancial documentation. HMRC provides plenty of guidance and advice – it runs to several hundred pages in fact. (It starts here - http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cirdmanual/CIRD80000.htm)

Or you could leave it to us, safe in the knowledge that if you don’t ultimately qualify for R&D tax credits you won’t owe us a thing.

Jumpstart has a proven track record in making successful R&D tax credit claims. We know what to claim, how to claim and, perhaps most importantly of all, the many pitfalls to avoid.

To fi nd out more about the service please visit http://www.jumpstartuk.co.uk/scottish-chamber-of-commerce/

chamber R&D tax credits - neW!

Our last 2 Recruit winning management trainees picked up their MA awards at a recent celebration event at Paisley Town Hall. Finlay Allardice is now working with Clark Contracts and Euan Keltie is now our Chamber Executive and a permanent member of the Chamber Team.

Alison Fraser our current recruit winning management trainee has already successfully completed and gained her MA award.

Well done to all – 3 great young people with great futures.

our Modern apprentices...

Left; Euan Keltie, Centre; Bob Davidson, Right; Finlay Allardice


Business Mentoring Scotland is a partnership between Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Chambers of Commerceand supported by the European Regional Development Fund

Enhance your leadership skills with objective, impartial support and encouragement from an experienced business person.

Choose Business Mentoring Scotland today on 0845 609 6622, and start benefi tting from the support and advice that it offers.

www.businessmentoringscotland.co.uk

Business Mentoring Scotland

Leading the way to success.

11650 A4 portrait advert.indd 2 14/06/2012 15:53

The Chamber Golf Competition this year was held on the 14th June at Renfrew Golf Club and was a great success. The sold out event saw 18 teams play the course which was in top condition given the recent spell of warm weather.

The forecast in the run up to the event had not been good – but on the day the weather was ideal for golf – warm with little wind. The winners were:

• Nearest the Pin – Murdoch Ferguson

• Longest Drive- Russell Cohen• Winning team – Bray Controls• Best Score – Tom Goldie from Bray

Controls

The event raised £700 split between the Chamber charities of the year – Beatson Pebble Appeal and Pace Theatre.

The Chamber would like to thank Kenny and all the staff at Renfrew GC for looking after us – and thank you to all the teams for taking part and to those that kindly donated raffle prizes.

annual cHaMBeR GolF coMPetition

Longest Drive winner - Russell Cohen

Nearest the Pin – Murdoch Ferguson

Best Score – Tom Goldie from Bray Controls

Winning team – Bray Controls

Rooms available for hireat Glasgow Airport

• Ideal for meetings, interviews, training, seminars & workshops• 4 rooms, space for 1-20 people

• Free wifi & free parking• Presentation equipment / catering available

• Price guarantee

Glasgow Airport Business Centrec/o Renfrewshire Chamber

Bute Court, St Andrew’s DriveGlasgow Airport PA3 2SW

0141 847 [email protected] www.renfrewshirechamber.com


new Memberson behalf of the Board of Directors and the chamber staff we would like to welcome onboard the following new members.Alasdair Banks Artist SculptorArtist / SculptorAlasdair [email protected] 649 4568

CLIC SargentChildrens/Youth Cancer CharityKatie [email protected] 572 5700

DHL Express LtdParcel [email protected]

Fred BogackiContract Business ManagementFred [email protected]

MacAndrews & Co LtdShipping & Supply Chain ManagementHayley [email protected] 348 098

Judith Eck Learning & Development AdvisorLearning & Development EventsJudith [email protected] 974 102

Main Waste Solutions (Scotland) LtdSkip Hire / Waste ServicesJames [email protected] 149454

Rangers Football Club LtdFootball ClubRaj [email protected] 580 8500

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau LtdCharity - Advice AssistanceGavin [email protected] 889 2121

Scafftech Scotland LtdSupply & Erect [email protected] 237 6242

Storage Vault LtdBusiness/Domestic StorageKraig [email protected]

The McAlpine Partnershipdesign | print | web | videoGary McAlpinewww.mcalpinepartnership.co.ukgary@mcalpinepartnership.co.uk01301 704 060

The Wynd Centrecommunity/charity Accomodation & CounsellingAlex [email protected] 887 4647

TPS Scotland LtdFood IndustryGeorge [email protected] 882 6260

Vari-Print LtdPrintersRebecca [email protected]

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper 37

The Chamber’s annual business awards, celebrates their 10th year in 2013. Held on Friday 15th November in The Normandy and hosted by Fred MacAulay – the awards will launch in mid-July. So keep an eye out for ROCCO related communications around that time. As always entry is free and open to any organisation in Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Chamber members based

anywhere. We are just fi nalising sponsorship and aim to have approx. 14 awards. The ROCCOs are a great way to get recognised for you hard work and celebrate with staff & clients. Always a sell out with a capacity of just under 500, The ROCCOs are the area’s premier black tie event and is not to be missed.

ROCCO 2013

Fred MacAulay


“Business really does matter in Renfrewshire”

The largest business to business event in Renfrewshire has just completed a successful 2 day residence at the recently restored Paisley Town Hall. Ran by Renfrewshire Chamber, “Business Matters in Renfrewshire” a free local B2B event (Business to business) open to all business people, students & school pupils was attended by >500 people over the 2 days.

The business conference on Day 1 attracted an impressive panel of speakers including:

• Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP• Shadow Foreign Secretary, Douglas Alexander MP• Dr Walter Boettcher - Economist - Director, Research & Forecasting Colliers International• Sir Tom Hunter – Scottish businessman, entrepreneur & philanthropist

Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP

Shadow Foreign Secretary, Douglas

Alexander MP

Dr Walter Boettcher

Sir Tom Hunter


The event was hosted by Douglas Fraser, BBC Scotland Business & Economy Editor

Ms Sturgeon said: “It was a pleasure to attend Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce’s annual conference and hear first-hand about the work local businesses are undertaking to help encourage local jobs and investment. The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to helping Scottish businesses through its procurement systems, infrastructure and capital investment spending and tax incremental financing. Furthermore, we are working hard to drive economic growth by boosting capital investment, improving access to finance and new private sector investment and enhancing economic security to support confidence across the Scottish economy. Local chambers play a unique role in supporting local businesses and communities and I look forward to working with Renfrewshire Chamber and the businesses it represents in the future.”

Mr Alexander added: “It was great to engage directly with businesses from across Renfrewshire. I really value listening to their views and hearing what their concerns are. I have a great admiration for all the good work they do in our area, especially during these really difficult times.

Economist Dr Boettcher commented that “….the focus was on the real economy, how to break the hiatus of investment and especially how to capitalise on Scotland’s numerous comparative advantages (energy, engineering & technology, education, to name a few). The economy may still be lacking traction, but the messages were consistently positive suggesting that a turning point in sentiment is at hand and stronger economic performance within reach.”

Sir Tom Hunter – whose first retail outlet opened in Paisley in 1984, gave an inspirational speech and before leaving gave his time to a number of people keen to get some advice from one of Scotland’s most successful business men. Sir Tom, who stayed for the whole event commented “well done, speakers were all good…..it was a good event with an impressive turnout”.

Day 2 attracted 35 exhibitors and offered delegates the opportunity to learn about a broad range of topics from the “How to…” themed seminars including:

• How to Build a Brilliant Brand with Fission Creative

• How to Ruin Your Brand on Social Media with NSDesign

• How to Grow Your Business with Invest in Renfrewshire

• How to Improve your Tendering with Renfrewshire Council Procurement Team

• How to be a Great Business Leader with Dr Stuart Paul of UWS

• How to Deliver Customer Service the Disney Way with Renfrewshire Chamber Board Director & ex Diageo Supply Chain Director Colin Neill

Chamber President Tom Johnston said “This was our 1st time adding the business conference to Business Matters in Renfrewshire – and I have to say it went very well. Great speakers and a good turnout of approx. 200 people on day 1. We listen to our members and the Chamber Team used that feedback to improve the 2nd day from last year. Over the course of Day2 – approx. 350 attended. I would like to take this opportunity again to thank all our speakers, exhibitors and the people from Renfrewshire and beyond that attended. I hope what they heard & seen will inspire them to bigger & better things – improve their business and ultimately protect and ideally create jobs in Renfrewshire.

@fissioncreative: #b2bpaisley has been a fantastic event! @RenfrewshireCoC have done an amazing job, seminars were very useful and informative!

@LAShuttleworth - Oh. My. Goodness. #b2bpaisley absolutely fantastic. Colin Neil & Dr. Stuart Paul in particular were excellent. @fissioncreative also great.

FullHouseApps: Hilarious and@‏informative talk from @nsdesign #b2bpaisley

@markmacmillan12: Great turn out from at @RenfrewshireCoC #b2bpaisley event in Paisley Town Hall

ModPhaislig2013: At the@‏#b2bpaisley event in Paisley Town Hall. Lots of interest on #modphaislig2013

All images from the event are available on the Chamber facebook page – and to see the many twitter comments use the hashtag #b2bpaisley – 200+ tweets used the hashtag. Twitter comments included:

Sir Tom Hunter, Dr Walter Boettcher, Douglas Fraser, President Tom Johnston

Morag Malloy, Fission Creative Douglas Alexander MP/ President Tom Johnston

Nicola Sturgeon MSP / President Tom Johnston

Colin Neill, Chamber Board Director

Colin Kelly, NSDesign


chamber Pictures

Whilst the Chamber events are always well attended – they are often members that seldom come along to any of the many events we have – even though we have a range of different times across the year.

Reasons why some members don’t come along include:

• Too busy – not enough time / time doesn’t suit

• Topic not of interest• Don’t like networking etc…

Coming along to events (many of which are free and for members only) – helps you engage with other business people and keeps you / your company name fresh in their mind. It gives you the

opportunity to listen, offer support to other members and when the time is right tell them about your business - new products / services / new office / event / new member of staff / big anniversary / won an award etc… When you are networking you are not just engaging with the person or group you are talking with – but potentially the people they in turn know as well.

Plus remember and keep the Chamber informed as well so we can share your news across our various channels including website / social media / apps / eNews and our magazine

Whilst there are some members who wish to be a member but we never hear from them – this is the same across all membership organisations. The best

way of finding out how to get the most out of your membership is to have a chat with Bob Grant, ideally over a coffee or at least over the phone. We will listen to where your business is at and offer suggestions on how we can support you via our connections, our events calendar, marketing channels and our products & services (mentoring, merchant services, HR & legal, health, finance etc…)

If you haven’t engaged with the Chamber for a while and would like to – then get in touch with Bob Grant at the Chamber. We’re here to help.

Here to help

Captions (Clockwise from top left:)

Joyce McKellar, CEO Renfrewshire Leisure Iain McFadyen, MD Scottish Leather Group with Chamber CEO Bob Davidson Jim Carswell, Operations & Inchinnan Site Leader, Life Technologies Bob Davidson Chamber CEO presenting to the UWS PhD poster prize winner


EMPLOYEE HEALTH COVER FROM JUST £1.10 PER WEEK

Keep your workforce healthy and motivated by introducing the Chamber Primary Health Plan. From just £1.10 per employee, per week, it’s a small price to pay to show them you care.

CALL TODAY:

0845 602 1629or visit www.westfi eldhealth.com/chamberPlease quote reference number CH1112

twitter.com/renfrewshirecoc

facebook.com/renfrewshirechamberofcommerce

Follow the chamber:

Blair Stevenson joined the Chamber on the 17th June as our Graduate Intern. Blair lives in Paisley, is an ex pupil of Paisley Grammar and ex student of UWS where he successfully completed a MA in Music: Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Blair will be working closely with Membership Manager Bob Grant for the rest of 2013. This will bring the Chamber team to 9 – with 1/3 of the staff under 24. We believe it’s crucial to give young people a positive start in their working lives – and the Recruit and Invest in Renfrewshire have gave us confi dent young people that would be an asset to any organisation. If you’re interested in knowing more about how Invest can support your business, then please get in touch.

Up and Coming

See our events section on our website: www.renfrewshirechamber.com

0141 847 [email protected]

Remember our networking lunches are always the last Thursday of every month 12-2 held across Renfrewshire venues

June Networking Lunch

27/6 The Glynhill. Speaker – Maggie Morrison, AGM at HP

Diageo Talk & Tour22/8 - Free members only event

Investors in People event8th Oct. Protecting your assets – Health, wellbeing and engagement

October Lunch31st Oct, The LynnhurstSpeaker: Sir Willie Haughey

ROCCO 2013 - Fri 15th Nov 2013

November Lunch 28th NovSpeaker: Renfrewshire Council Leader, Cllr Mark Macmillan

AGM & Christmas Lunch19/12 The Glynhill

Events

new member of the team…

How can you help?

You could contribute by offering at least one:

• Job or apprenticeship

• Graduate internship

• Work experience placement

• Workplace visit

• Hour of your time

• Sponsorship donation

How can we help you?

We can provide funding to help you:

• Take on new staff

• Attend a trade show

• Explore new markets

• Access a loan

• Train employees

• Find or improve premises

How can you sign up?

• Fill out our Partnership Agreement online at www.investinrenfrewshire.com

For more information call

0300 3000 144

Invest in Renfrewshire aims to grow the local economy and create jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds.

To do this, the council, businesses and third sector organisations have to work together

to pursue development projects, offer more employment opportunities and form

support programmes to prepare young people for work.

Blair Stevenson

No lunch in July – Aug/Sep speakers tbc


Running a growing business in Renfrewshire? Make us part of your plans

For any successful business a network of trusted advisers is vital. Business Gateway Renfrewshire

provides practical support and advice to growing Renfrewshire businesses every year.

0141 585 6353www.bgateway.com

Business Gateway services are delivered by Local Authorities, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government with the support of associated partner organisations.

With a wealth of specialist information at its fi ngertips Business Gateway is ideally placed to help businesses across Renfrewshire to grow.

From fi nding out how to market a new product or service to learning how to pitch for investment to accessing further local and national business support programmes, Business Gateway offers free advice, information and training which can help local business owners and employees.

A network of professional advisersBusinesses can book a free appointment with an experienced and professional business adviser to

talk through their business growth aspirations. Depending on the growth opportunities, businesses may then be able to benefi t from further in depth advice from our advisors or access our range of surgeries delivered by experts on a range of business topics such as digital marketing.The opportunity to meet with a business adviser can take place either at your business premises or at the local Business Gateway offi ce based in the Hillington Park Innovation Centre.

Workshops to help you grow your businessThe free workshops on offer cover a wide range of business topics

designed to help you focus on growing and developing areas across your business.

Over the next few months, workshops include:

Marketing Your Business; Becoming an Employer; Pitching for Investment; Financial Management and a series of Social Media workshops which will cover Facebook, Twitter and You Tube for business.

These workshops take place at venues in Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

To book an appointment to discuss your business growth or to fi nd out more and book on to any of the free workshops, please contact Business Gateway on 0141 585 6353 or email [email protected] or visit www.bgateway.com/renfrewshire.

BUSINESS BOOST FOR RENFREWSHIRE BUSINESSES

Running a growing business in Renfrewshire? Make us part of your plans

For any successful business a network of trusted advisers is vital. Business Gateway Renfrewshire

provides practical support and advice to growing Renfrewshire businesses every year.

0141 585 6353www.bgateway.com

Business Gateway services are delivered by Local Authorities, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government with the support of associated partner organisations.


Invest in Renfrewshireinvest in Renfrewshire is the council’s £7m programme to boost the local economy and tackle youth unemployment. a range of funding packages are on offer which could help you grow your business, upgrade or move premises, or take on new staff. For more information, visit www.investinrenfrewshire.com, email [email protected], or call 0300 3000 144.

WEEE Solutions Limited provide a Scotland-wide service to collect, transport, recycle and dispose of waste electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and other waste streams.

Following several years of steady growth, this Linwood-based company was in a position to take on additional staff in order to meet its increasing workload.

Director Hugh O’Neill said: “We have recently won some sizeable contracts in both the public and private sectors, and we need to boost our workforce to deliver these. We were delighted to hear that Invest in Renfrewshire could provide not only fi nancial assistance towards the

costs of employing a young person but also practical support throughout the recruitment process.”

Before being recruited by WEEE Solutions Ltd, 21-year-old Daniel Kilcullen from Paisley had been long term unemployed but keen to fi nd work in construction or a warehouse setting.

Daniel is now in a full time post and receiving support through Invest in Renfrewshire’s employability services to pursue a qualifi cation, which will allow him to progress in the waste management sector.

Mr. O’Neill added: “Daniel has proved that we made the right choice in giving

an opportunity to a young person. I would urge other employers to fi nd out how Invest in Renfrewshire can help them develop their business.”

Weee Solutions limited

Are you looking to expand your business and want help to take on a new employee?

Renfrewshire Council with support from Youth Employment Scotland have announced an additional £800,000 funding to help local businesses take on unemployed young people.

This brings Invest in Renfrewshire’s total funding over the next two years for Employer Recruitment Incentives (ERI) to £2.9million – enough to create 700 jobs for out of work 16 to 24 year olds.

The incentive provides 50% of the National Minimum Wage costs up to a maximum of 40 hours per week for the fi rst 39 weeks of employment.

Employers paying the Living Wage (currently £7.45 per hour) will receive an extra £1,000 award at the end of the 39-week period.

The eligibility criteria for ERI have changed slightly from Invest in Renfrewshire’s previous Wage Subsidy, and these are detailed below.

EligibilityTo be eligible for the incentive, businesses must have an operational base in Renfrewshire, but may be in any sector, and also have signed up to Invest in Renfrewshire via our Partnership Agreement.

Businesses who have recently made or

are planning redundancies do not qualify.In order to be supported, the jobs created

must last for a minimum of nine months, have basic hours of at least 25 hours per week and pay at least the national minimum hourly wage relevant to the person employed. They must also be located within the Renfrewshire Council area.

In addition to being aged between 16 and 24 years at the time of appointment, potential recruits must be resident in the Renfrewshire Council area and be a school leaver or unemployed for up to six months at the time of interview.

Renfrewshire Council’s Youth Employability Service can also help identify potential candidates if required.

How to ApplyIf you are interested in creating an employment opportunity for a local young person, please call 0300 300 1180 and select 2 for Business Hub.

extra investment in employer Recruitment incentives


How can you help?

You could contribute by offering at least one:

• Job or apprenticeship

• Graduate internship

• Work experience placement

• Workplace visit

• Hour of your time

• Sponsorship donation

How can we help you?

We can provide funding to help you:

• Take on new staff

• Attend a trade show

• Explore new markets

• Access a loan

• Train employees

• Find or improve premises

How can you sign up?

• Fill out our Partnership Agreement online at www.investinrenfrewshire.com

For more information call

0300 3000 144

Invest in Renfrewshire aims to grow the local economy and create jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds.

To do this, the council, businesses and third sector organisations have to work together

to pursue development projects, offer more employment opportunities and form

support programmes to prepare young people for work.

Paisley-based construction fi rm Clark Contracts is building for the future thanks to help from Invest in Renfrewshire.

Clark Contracts was launched in Paisley in 1978 by local man, Steve Clark.

Today, 35 years on, the company generates a turnover of over £30million, employs over 200 people and is recognised as one of Scotland’s leading specialists in construction, refurbishment and maintenance across the private and public sectors.

Current divisions of Clark Contracts include construction, small works, fi t out, maintenance and decoration. Around 80% of the company’s work is repeat business and six out of ten customers have worked with Clark Contracts for fi ve years or more.

Since its earliest days, the company has been committed to the development of its people. This includes supporting employees to secure university degrees

and professional qualifi cations as well as the recruitment and training of apprentices. As part of this long standing commitment, Clark Contracts made the decision in June 2012 to become part of the Invest in Renfrewshire programme.

Two employees taken on in the past year were supported through Invest in Renfrewshire.

Sarah Hay, 18, was taken on in an apprentice administrative role and Finlay Allardice, 19, was recruited in January 2013 as a trainee surveyor. He is now undertaking general surveying duties, site measurement and subcontractor management, with a focus on the Renfrewshire Care Homes project won by Clark Contracts late last year.

John Mooney HR Director at Clark Contracts said, “We are delighted to get behind the Invest in Renfrewshire programme which has undoubtedly had a favourable impact on our business.

We would certainly encourage other local companies to consider how they could get involved and benefi t from Invest in Renfrewshire.”

clark contracts Invest in Renfrewshire


Renfrewshire Council

Further details have been announced on ambitious plans to redevelop the former Arnotts site in Paisley.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan believes that the plans for residential and potential retail development can ‘act as a catalyst’ for the regeneration of Paisley’s Abbey Quarter and the town centre as a whole.

The Arnotts site is owned by a limited liability partnership (LLP) involving Renfrewshire Council and Park Lane Developments.

LINK Group is taking forward a proposal for 31 one and two bedroom fl ats for intermediate rent or shared equity on the former Arnotts on Lawn Street and the corner with Gauze Street facing the Abbey.

WestPoint Homes, which previously carried out The Cloisters housing development on Cotton Street, has now been selected by the LLP for the construction of the affordable housing.

Plans are also being progressed by the LLP for the refurbishment of the Arnotts building itself, including ground fl oor retail space and nine fl ats.

The development, which would also be carried out by Westpoint, will retain the historic frontage of the building on Gauze Street.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan said: “This development will bring a number of signifi cant benefi ts for Paisley and can act as a catalyst for further town centre regeneration.

“First and foremost, in these diffi cult

economic times, the project will bring back into use an important site which has been unoccupied for years.

“It will deliver an economic boost by supporting capital investment and construction jobs, and will hopefully encourage other investors to study what Paisley can offer their business.

“Much needed affordable housing will also be delivered. Bringing people back to live in the town centre is a key aim for the council. Coupled with recent development at The Cloisters, and the major investment by UWS in student residences, the creation of more housing is further good news for the town.

“The redevelopment of the Arnotts site is the latest in a series of positive initiatives in Paisley town centre. Recently SPT confi rmed a £1.8million investment on improvements in Paisley bus facilities.

“The council will work with SPT on detailed proposals focusing on George Street, Smithhills Street and Central Way, and incorporating a potential bus lay-over facility at the northern end of the Arnotts site.

“Work continues on preserving and regenerating Paisley’s outstanding architectural heritage, for example through the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

“Paisley Town Hall has also had a major revamp and will incorporate enhanced tourist information facilities.

“In October this year, Paisley will host the Royal National Mòd for the fi rst time along with the second staging of the

national arts and music festival, The Spree.

“The additional improvements to the environment and buildings of the town centre will provide a great stage for these top events cementing Paisley’s growing reputation as an events town.

“The plan for the partial reopening of Paisley High Street to vehicles in the evening is further proof that we are willing to bring forward innovative approaches.”

The council joined Park Lane Developments in a limited liability partnership (LLP) in 2009 to acquire and market the site, with the intention of attracting major retailers.

However, diffi cult market conditions since then meant that aim couldn’t be achieved. It is hoped the development of the affordable housing development, and the revival of the Arnotts building with residential and retail space, will kickstart future development and attract new interest to the site.

Renfrewshire Council is showing its continued backing by providing development fi nance of up to £1.6m and by converting its existing loan investment in the limited liability partnership into shares.

Councillor Macmillan added: ““The special meeting of the council has been arranged to keep up the momentum on this important project. We all know the historic signifi cance of the Arnotts site to Paisley. What we are bringing forward is the best option for restoring its relevance to the town’s future.”

arnotts site can be catalyst for Paisley town centre regeneration



Traffi c could be back on Paisley High Street later this year under new proposals.

Earlier this year, councillors agreed to take forward plans for cars and taxis to be allowed on to the street in the evenings.

The aim is to help town centre businesses and inject new life into the town’s night-time economy.

Currently, delivery vehicles can access the High Street from County Square and Gilmour Street between the hours of 4pm and 10.30am.

The council wants to amend the existing traffi c order to allow access to cars and taxis between those times too.

The statutory consultation process is already under way, with council offi cials expecting to open up the consultation to the public throughout July.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan said: “We hope that by opening up the High Street the town centre will have the best of both worlds.

“What will remain primarily a shopping destination during the day will open up to allow cars and taxis easier access to the town’s nightlife during the evenings.”

A proposed second phase of the scheme would see access to the High Street opened up from Gauze Street and St Mirren Street.

It is expected this would be subject to consultation later this year, and could be implemented in 2014.

Paisley High Street traffi c plans latest

Renfrewshire is set to shine in the spotlight this October when it hosts not one but two major musical events.

The Royal National Mòd will make its fi rst-ever visit to the area when it takes place in Paisley from 11 to 19 October.

The Mòd is Scotland’s premier celebration of Gaelic culture and language, featuring music, dance, literature and drama.

It will be joined by the return of The Spree – the national music and comedy festival which made a successful debut in the town last year.

The Mòd will see a Gaelic invasion, with around 12,000 visitors expected to descend on the area throughout the week.

There, they will be able to see and take part in a comprehensive programme of competitions and events.

The local organising committee are grateful to all their supporters and are delighted to announce Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce as an offi cial sponsor.

Ealasaid MacDonald, convener of Mòd Phàislig, said: “We are delighted with the support we have received from the local and business community.

“The support of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce is much appreciated as we work towards delivering a fantastic Mòd,

which will showcase Gaelic language and culture to the area.”

The Spree took place over four days in Paisley last year and is expected to be bigger and better in 2013, having been extended to ten days to wrap around the Mòd.

The bulk of last year’s action took place in the spectacular setting of a Spiegeltent in County Square.

Big names such as Roddy Frame, Karen Matheson, Craig Hill and Damien Dempsey were among those who wowed the crowds.

Both events offer Renfrewshire a great

chance to showcase their charms to visitors, and to put themselves fi rmly on Scotland’s entertainment map.

It is expected the infl ux of visitors will bring a signifi cant economic boost to the area.

Full programmes for both events, including headline acts, will be revealed soon.

There will also be plenty opportunity for businesses to get involved, so keep an eye out for news of these nearer the time.

Visit www.thespree.co.uk and www.modphaislig.org for more information on the two events.

area will get the best of the fests this october



‘chilled out’ pupils scoop young business award Budding entrepreneurs from eight nursery, primary and secondary schools have been competing in the latest staging of Renfrewshire Council’s Dragons’ Den competition.

A distinguished judging panel of business dragons gathered at the fi nal of the event held at Reid Kerr College to listen to presentations from the competing teams.

The team from St Andrew’s Academy were named the Overall Winners and also took the Secondary Section Trophy for their proposal titled ‘The Chill Zone.’ Established last August to assist the transition of new pupils in to the school, the zone provides an area where they can meet new friends, do homework and play computer games.

Health and environmental themes featured in the Pre-Five category where the winners were Ferguslie Pre Five Centre with ‘The Allotment.’ A small shop will be established in the nursery to sell home grown vegetables and soft fruits. In addition to increasing local access to healthy foods, the project will involve a community programme supporting the project which will also help young people who are out of work to get involved.

Promoting fi tness and healthy lifestyles was at the centre of the successful entry in the Primary Section.

Kirklandneuk Primary School’s ‘Kickstart’ proposal will deliver a school-based community fi tness club. Pupils will deliver training to deliver a range of fi tness classes with the focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle in the school and in the community.

All three main category winners were awarded £500 to develop their proposals and took away trophies donated by the Clydesdale Bank.

Sponsorship was provided by Glasgow Airport FlightPath Fund, Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Leisure Services and Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce. Reid Kerr College provided the venue, catering and fi lming of the event.

The other educational establishments who took part in the competition were: Paisley Pre Five Centre, St Fergus Primary School, St Anthony’s Primary, St Benedict’s High School and Paisley Grammar – who each received business backing of between £200 and £350.

Councillor Jacqueline Henry, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education

Policy Board, said: “The standard of concept and presentation was very high and the judges had some tough decisions.

“It was very encouraging to see such imaginative proposals backed up by detailed business thinking.

“I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored and supported this year’s event – and particularly our schools and nurseries, and the pupils who put so much effort and thought into their proposals and who presented them so well.”

Sponsor and Dragon, Bob Davidson Chamber CEO commented “it was a great event organised by Wilma Leburn & Raymond Kane. The judges job was genuinely a tough one due to the high standard of entries. Well done to all the teams that took part and everyone involved in help making the event a success”.

The judges faced with the diffi cult task of deciding on the winners were Jim Lally of Education Scotland, John McConnell of Glasgow Airport, Bob Davidson of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, Jay Lamb of the Social Enterprise academy, and Gaynor Hutton of Kibbleworks.

Documents

Business Matters - Summer 2013