0845 �77 7000

Autumn/Winter �009

Perth Bull Sales come to Stirling

Inside this issue...Construction featureInterviews with Forth Construction, Ogilvie and Forth Plumbing & Electrical Services

Stirling Enterprise updateStirling Enterprise provide an update on business activity

Business Panel feature2009 Annual Business Panel Survey underway

Business spaceExpansion of Manor Business Park, new Business Space Strategy

Business profileDatabase Design & Development(d3) Ltd

� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

If you need this information in large print, Braille, audio or in another language please contact 0845 277 7000 and quote reference number 7064.

ContentsLocal business news 3

Business profile - Database Design & Development (d³) Ltd 8

Provision of work-orientated language skills 9

Dataspace Scotland launch new databackup service 9

30 second interview 9

Stirling Business Panel 10

Special feature - Stirling EnterpriseUpdate 12

Business space developments 14

Sector feature - Construction 18

Mugdock Makkers search for hiddentalent 21

Invite from Glasgow CaledonianUniversity to Technology Showcase 21

Old Town Cemeteries re-open after£1.7 million refurbishment 21

Interview with Neil McLean, Group JointManaging Director, United Auctions 22

Stirling businesses support the arts 23

Schedule for October Perth Bull Sales 23

Scottish Business Rates DeferralScheme 2009/10 24

Local distillery tours launched 24

Scottish Chambers of Commerce 24

Rally of Scotland 2009 update 25

St Andrew’s Day (Homecoming FinaleWeekend) update 25

At your service - Health and Safety 26

LEADER update feature 28

Hotel developments feature 29

Economic facts 30

2009 Autumn Legal Workshop Series 32

Forthcoming events/training 32

Welcome

Stirling Eye is compiled and produced by Stirling Council’s Economic Development Service.

If you have any interesting news with a business or economic focus, or would like to comment on this publication, please contact:

Laura Melville, Business Liaison ExecutiveEconomic Development, Economy, Employment and Youth Services, Stirling Council, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET

Tel: 01786 443028 Email: melvillel@stirling.gov.ukWeb: www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Printed on recycled paper.

Our cover story is on the prestigious Perth Bull Sales

coming to Stirling. This is a fantastic win for Stirling,

bringing around 8,000 additional visitors to the city this

October and even more to the main Bull Sales in February.

The new Stirling Agricultural Centre is a fantastic development for the city and I

also look forward to the completion of Forth Valley College’s new Stirling Campus

on the site of the old auction market at Kildean.

Our sector feature, this time on the construction industry, touches on how the

recession has impacted upon local businesses. It is during these difficult times

that free support available to businesses, such as through the Forth Construction

Forum, becomes all the more valuable.

It is pleasing to note that Stirling Enterprise, who deliver Business Gateway services

across the Council area, has reported that business start ups remain buoyant,

despite a declining national trend. High levels of interest in business starts and

continuing business growth in the local area provide an indication of Stirling’s

entrepreneurial sprit, which will help us in this period of economic recovery.

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all businesses to complete the

annual Stirling Business Panel Survey. The Council and partners

will be paying particular attention to the results to help shape

policy in 2010.

Councillor Scott Farmer

Depute Leader of Council and Corporate Resources

and Economy portfolio holder.

Focus on the local economy

Cover photo: The Executive Team of United Auctions at the new Stirling Agricultural Centre – from left to right - Robin Tough, Joint Managing Director; Neil McLean, Group Managing Director; and, David Leggat MBE, Executive Chairman. For more information on the Stirling Agricultural Centre and the Perth Bull Sales, please see interview with Neil McLean on page 22 and article on the Perth Bull Sales on page 23. Photo taken by Jim Whyler, Whyler Photos, Back O’Hill Industrial Estate, Stirling.

�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Local business news

Stirling businessman Scott Laurie of Integrated Finance Limited (Bridge of Allan) enjoyed

climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of the Aberlour Trust so much that he has decided to do it again!

Scott has signed up for “Kiltimanjaro” which plans to get 100 kilts on top of Africa’s highest

mountain in late September 2010. Scott said: “The whole trek was an incredible experience

and I can’t wait to be up there with 99 other people in kilts.”

“Kiltimanjaro” is the brainchild of Bill Cook, based at Scottish Enterprise’s Stirling office, who

will be climbing the mountain for the third time in 2010.

Joining this trip will not only be the adventure of a lifetime but will also help raise vital funds

for the Stirling based Aberlour Child Care Trust.

To join Scott and Bill on the �010 expedition – go to www.kiltimanjaro.co.uk

Going back to school with Labels4Kids

For the second year running

Labels4Kids has been

nominated as one of ten UK

finalists in the Dell Small

Business Excellence Awards.

Labels4Kids was started

by Stirling mother

of three, Ann-Maree

Morrison, who was tired

of tracking down her

boys’ lost property at

school and play group.

Ann-Maree has three

boys in school and is

well used to the hassles

of labelling their clothes

and kit in preparation

for another hectic year

at school, and has all

the possible labelling

solutions you can imagine.

Launched in 2005, Labels4Kids supplies

a range of labelling products, from

waterproof vinyl microwave and dishwasher

proof labels to clothing labels that stick

on, iron on or sew on. Ann-Maree has

also developed a line of personalised gym

bags, bag tags and id bands.

Ann-Maree said: “I have found that during

these difficult economic times, parents

are spending a little on naming their

children’s property rather than having to

pay to replace lost property.”

www.labels4kids.com

Scott Laurie of Integrated Finance Ltd (Bridge of Allan), John Henderson of Falburn Engineering Ltd (Plean) and Bill Cook of Scottish Enterprise

Ann-Maree Morrison with some of her Labels4Kids products

Highland Cattle Societylocate in StirlingThe Highland Cattle Society are pleased to have re-located from

Dumfries & Galloway to the Stirling Agricultural Centre, which

opened at the end of July. With the society having members from all over Britain

and further afield, Stirling is a tremendous central location and their new office is

very easy to find. President, Andrew Kirkpatrick said: “The Society is pleased to

be part of the new Agricultural Centre and looks forward to welcoming members

and visitors old and new.”

www.highlandcattlesociety.com

Stirling Consulting has had a busy summer with expansion

into an office in Forsyth Business Centre, Stirling and the

achievement of an ISO9001:2000 award.

Formerly based in Alloa the company specialises in design, installation and planned

maintenance of heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. The company is

also accredited to undertake Air-Conditioning Inspections and in conjunction with an associate

company Energi-Domain, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

Joanna Perkins, Director, said: “We are delighted to have achieved ISO9001:2000 in recognition

of the service which we provide. Stirling is an excellent central location for expanding our

client base here in Scotland.”

www.stirlingconsulting.com

Busy summer for Stirling Consulting

Stirling businesses support“Kiltimanjaro”Stirling businesses support“Kiltimanjaro”

4 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Local business news

In-toto ContractsThe Callander office of In-toto Contracts has

relocated and is now operating alongside the

In-toto retail studio in King Street, Stirling.

In-toto specialises in design, supply and

installation of kitchen cabinets, appliances and

accessories to the housing market.

www.intotocontracts.co.uk

Sunny times forStirling-based design companytensARC, a Stirling based design firm has been inundated with enquiries from across the UK and

overseas after running a successful marketing campaign in national newspapers and journals. The

company used the free publicity to generate interest in one of its new products – Freeform.

Freeform is a lightweight stretched fabric

sail for interior use. The sails come in a

variety of shapes and sizes and can be

used to mask ceilings, zone or screen

open plan areas, reflect artificial light and

control solar heat and glare. They can also

be used simply as decorative features.

Keith Wilkinson, tensARC’s Creative

Director said: “We anticipated that there

would be strong demand within the

commercial and public sectors but hadn’t

fully appreciated how many homeowners

would also want the sails. There are a

lot of people out there who have been

looking for an alternative to blinds

for controlling heat and glare in their

conservatories and Freeform provides it.”

“Launching a new product is expensive if

you rely only on advertising. We’ve been

doing what we can to gain exposure in

less costly ways, and investing time in

media activities has paid off. The Sunday

Times coverage, in particular, generated

hundreds of enquiries, including ones from

America, Europe and elsewhere.”

www.tensarc.co.uk

Providing services to corporate giantsDeveloping IT Ltd recently completed a major project in conjunction with

local communications training organisation Taleka Ltd, for financial services

giant Lloyds TSB.

Having worked with major Energy providers, small local businesses

and large financial technology organisations, this contract represents

another coup for the emergent Stirling

business.

The system developed is a data base driven

bespoke software application to enable data

gathering to be carried out by Lloyds TSB

site representatives for their new 38,000

telephone handset rollout.

Developing IT is a software and support

company based at Stirling Enterprise Park.

The company was established in 2004 and

offers software development, IT support

and a range of innovative IT solutions to

help organisations streamline processes

and improve business efficiency in ever

competitive markets. In just four years of

trading the company has officially reached

the highest level of competency and expertise

with Microsoft - the Microsoft Gold Partnership.

www.developingit.com

Join LETI and grow

your tourism businessThe Loch Earn Tourism Initiative (LETI), is an active community

of local business owners who work together to promote tourism

services in the four villages surrounding Loch Earn; Strathyre,

Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and St Fillans. Members typically

provide holiday accommodation, hospitality and retail services.

Kim Proven who runs Little Briar Cottage, a self-catering business in

Lochearnhead commented: “The group is

currently looking for new members. It’s a

great way of attracting new business and

sharing best practice and only costs £40

per year per business.”

LETl’s website www.robroycountry.com

promotes local services via member

pages, area information, photos, links,

events and blogs. Volunteers meet

regularly to enhance, publicise and

optimise its on-line presence and discuss

areas of collaboration.

Members aim to offer the best service

and experience to visitors encouraging

repeat visits and word of mouth

recommendations.

For further information, email kim.

proven@btinternet.com or phone

01567 8�0 44�.

5www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

A new head for The Write PeopleHaving been with The Write People for ten years,

senior designer, Karen Nisbet purchased the

company in May from previous owners John and

Lorraine Brownbill.

The transition of ownership has been smooth, with

the news being well received by their existing

clients, all of whom have continued to use their

services.

The design team of Susan, Rachael and Jill has

remained unchanged and their support and hard

work over the past months has ensured consistent

customer service and high standard of work.

Karen is enthusiastic about the future challenges of running her own agency and, with a

wealth of experience and colleagues who are as passionate about design as herself, she is

certain that the foundations are in place to grow the business and build on its success.

Karen said: “Our goal is to not only fulfil clients’ expectations but also leave them feeling

we have provided an experience that sets us apart from our competition and that they have

chosen the right company…The Write People.”

www.thewritepeople.co.uk

New chapter forThe House of CommasFollowing the recent sale of The Write People

– the design studio they set up 21 years ago –

John and Lorraine Brownbill are concentrating

on developing their other business,

TWP Publishing Ltd.

The company has been re-named and

re-branded The House of Commas Ltd to

reflect the expansion of its core publishing

activity to include copywriting, editing and

‘creative thinking’ – devising themes, words

and images for marketing materials and

campaigns.

Since 2001, Lorraine and John have

published the increasingly familiar Stirling

Summer and Festive Guides and similar

guides for Perth and Dundee. Containing

local events, entertainment, shopping, food

and drink choices and leisure opportunities,

the guides are delivered door to door by

Royal Mail – Stirling’s to the 123,000 homes

with an FK postcode.

Lorraine Brownbill, Director, commented:

“The Write People was a huge part of our

lives but now The House of Commas gives

us the opportunity to use our other skills

and focus on the successful Summer and

Festive Guides.”

www.thehouseofcommas.co.uk

SMI target veterinary diagnostic marketStirling Medical Innovations Limited

(SMI) recently supported a successful

ten-week veterinary feasibility study.

The study tested the potential of using

an SMI diagnostic platform for the

veterinary market. Originally developed

for ‘at home’ monitoring of key cardiac

conditions in humans, the results of the

study found that the platform can be

used successfully in conjunction with

key veterinary applications.

As the platform is light and portable,

the study demonstrated convincingly

the accuracy of the equipment when

used for diagnosis and monitoring of

inflammatory diseases in dogs and on-

farm testing of cattle for the bovine viral

diarrhoea virus.

David Lang, Managing Director of

SMI, said: “Seeing the ease of use

and flexibility of our platform in these

tests is really encouraging and I have

been impressed by the quality and

exciting work of the veterinary research

providers in this area. The platform

and technology we have developed

with ITI may, in addition to the human

diagnostic opportunities that we are

exploring, prove to have significant

applications in the veterinary, food,

drink and environmental testing areas.”

www.stirlingmedical.com

6 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Local business news

Stirling car dealers are making the most of the

Government’s car scrappage scheme by offering

motorists excellent savings on new cars.

Through the scrappage scheme, people can receive a standard scrappage allowance of £2,000

for their old car up until March 2010, provided it is more than 10 years old. To qualify for the

scheme, the old car must meet certain criteria:

l Be a car or small van weighing up to 3,500 kg

l Be first registered in the UK on or before 31 August 1999

l Be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in your name

l Have been registered to you continuously for 12 calendar months before the order date

of the new vehicle

l Have a UK address on the registration certificate (V5C)

l Have a current MOT test certificate before date of order for the new vehicle

Archie Morrison, a Director of Morrisons of Stirling, Whins of Milton, said: “The scrappage

scheme is allowing motorists to buy themselves a bargain. For example, SEAT doubled the

scrappage allowance to more than £4,000 on a number of their most popular models during

September.”

“We are able to offer the scrappage scheme across our SEAT, FIAT, Land Rover and MG

dealerships. It is now possible to buy a brand new Fiat Panda 1.1 Active Eco for as little as

£4994 using the scrappage allowance.”

Bagyourself a motor

John Brown Butchers in partnership with DobbiesBuchlyvie butchers John Brown has built

up a unique partnership with Dobbies

Garden Centre over the last four years.

After forming a successful supply chain

with Dobbies Stirling Garden Centre, which

opened in 2005, owner John McKay was

asked if he wished to open a butchers

shop within the Milngavie Dobbies Centre.

Leaping at the chance, the butchers shop

opened within the custom-built food hall

in 2006, selling everything from locally

sourced fillet steak to square sausage.

Following the success of the Milngavie

outlet, John opened another butcher outlet

at Dobbies Stirling Centre late last year.

John said: “The last four years have been

a bit of a whirlwind, moving from success

to success. I am extremely grateful to

Dobbies for the fantastic opportunities that

have allowed me to expand my business,

promoting quality local produce sourced

from Caledonian Marts Stirling and United

Auctions Stirling.”

“I am also thankful for funding I received

from Stirling Council which enabled me to

buy some of the equipment required to

initially start the supply chain with Dobbies

back in 2005.”

How to access world class fishingStirling Council owns the fishing rights for salmon and sea trout on the River Forth

between Cambuskenneth and Craigforth and on the River Teith at Callander.

The Council’s policy is to offer fishing at a price that can be afforded at all levels and with

annual catch returns in excess of 1,000 for salmon and several hundred for sea trout, it is

excellent value for money.

Stirling Council is looking to promote its fisheries alongside local business and is exploring

ways to offer access to their rivers in the form of corporate hospitality and sponsored

competitions.

If your business is interested in accessing the rivers for clients or finding out more about

sponsorship of major competitions, please contact Stirling Council’s Fisheries Officer, David

Jones on 01786 44�9��.

Stirling based brands agency Denvir is

celebrating a number of successes, despite

the recession.

Denvir was busy over the summer months

working in partnership with luxury

ice-cream makers Mackie’s of Scotland

to launch a new range of Potato crisps.

Mackie’s have joined forces with Taypack

Ltd, one of the UK’s leading potato

businesses to produce Scotland’s only

home grown and manufactured premium

crisp.

Mackie’s approached Denvir to devise

a strategy to launch the crisps. The

strategy involved extensive market

research, including blind tasting, which

saw Mackie’s come out on top. They

also designed the branding, including

packaging and corporate logos and

developed the major consumer launch

campaign, ensuring a formidable Scottish

entry to the market.

Denvir was also recently awarded the

‘Event Excellence’ accolade in a hotly

contested category at the Marketing

Society Scotland’s 2009 Star Awards. They

were presented with the award for their

‘Enjoy the Taste of Scotland’ campaign on

behalf of client, Tesco’s Scottish Office.

www.denvirmarketing.com

Catriona Tytler, Experiential Director at Denvir and

Lynne Roxburgh, Scottish Marketing Manager for

Tesco celebrate their Event Excellence award

Denvir celebrates success

Local business newsBusiness welcome…Body and Sole HealthcareA new multi-disciplinary healthcare clinic,

including chiropody. The business recently

located in Wallace House, Stirling.

Tel: 01786 358252

www.bodyandsolehealthcare.com

Euro Search & Selection LtdEuro Search & Selection Ltd has opened a

new office in Stirling Business Centre. The

company is an international recruiter for

the oil, gas and energy sectors with offices

worldwide.

Tel: 0845 869 9803 www.eurosearch.net

FascoFasco have opened a new Fasco Extra store

in Springkerse Industrial Estate, Stirling. The

store sells workwear, tools and safety gear.

www.fasco.co.uk

The Highland Cattle SocietyThe Highland Cattle Society recently located

to the Stirling Agricultural Centre, Stirling.

www.highlandcattlesociety.com

J & W CarpetsA new trade unit specialising in carpets and

accessories. J & W Carpets is located in the

Trade Park, Springkerse, Stirling.

Tel: 01786 470493 www.jwcarpets.com

Marvelus ProductionsMarvelus Productions have relocated their

office and entire warehousing from Falkirk

to Munro Road, Stirling. The company

specialises in audio-visual, stage hire,

entertainment, PA systems and roadshow

hire. Tel: 0845 869 6152 www.marvelus.co.uk

Midas Contracts LimitedA construction management business

specialising in shopfitting and internal fit-out

services to the retail, office and leisure sectors.

Midas Contracts are located in the Beta

Centre, Stirling University Innovation Park.

www.midascontracts.com

The Money ShopA new outlet specialising in cheque cashing,

payday loans, foreign exchange, pawn

broking and bought gold. The shop is

located on Barnton Street, Stirling.

Tel: 01786 449110

Oldbaum Services LtdOldbaum Services work in the wind industry

providing instruments and quality assurance

on wind speed data. The business recently

expanded from a home office to the Alpha

Centre, Stirling University Innovation Park.

Tel: 01786 469639

www.oldbaumservices.co.uk

Poundland LtdA new single price retailer located in the

Marches, Stirling Thistles Centre.

www.poundland.co.uk

Revolution Hair & BeautyA new hair salon specialising in colours and

extensions. The salon is located in Barnton

Street, Stirling. Online booking system:

www.myrevolution.co.uk. Tel: 01786 465573

RG AutotechA new garage specialising in vehicle service

and repair. The business is located in Kings

Court, Stirling. Tel: 01786 472321

www.rgautotech.co.uk

SpudzAn exciting new deli-style take-away

offering a wide range of healthy, fresh,

locally sourced produce. Spudz is located in

Murray Place, Stirling. www.spudzstirling.co.uk

Talking Mats Research & Development CentreTalking Mats is a low-tech communication

framework that uses a mat with

picture symbols to help people with a

communication difficulty express their

thoughts and feelings. The business

recently expanded into a unit in Scion

House, Stirling University Innovation Park.

Tel: 01786 458105 www.talkingmats.com

Tunstall Healthcare (UK) LtdA business supplying tele-health and tele-

care products to allow people to stay within

their own home. The business relocated

recently from Alloa, to Scion House, Stirling

University Innovation Park.

If you have recently set up a business in the Stirling Council area and would like

a mention in Stirling Eye or would like to report a business news story, contact

Laura Melville on 01786 443028 or email melvillel@stirling.gov.uk

8 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Database Design & Development (d³) LtdBusiness profile

OverviewDatabase Design & Development (d³) Ltd is a new

business delivering affordable customised database

systems to the desktops of small to medium sized companies.

The business is located in Stirling Enterprise Park.

The business ideaPaul Amery, Director of d³, said: “I first became interested in

databases in the 1980s after buying an Amstrad 1512 (with twin

floppy disk drives!) and finding I could apply algebra to applications

such as Lotus123 to organise and structure databases. I also

studied Computing and Advanced Educational Studies and worked

in enabling technologies at the University of Stirling for a number

of years.”

“Over time I realised that database design and delivery could

be achieved more cost-effectively. I started developing my own

systems using Microsoft Access and found I could allow unlimited

access to anyone at one location provided they already have

Microsoft Office licences for their machines. Usually consultants

require separate licences to be purchased, so I saw an opportunity

to produce a more competitive product, particularly benefiting

small and medium sized businesses.”

Starting up the businessPaul said: “Following extensive market research I put together

a business plan and contacted Business Gateway. I attended a

number of free Business Gateway training events, finding the

marketing seminar particularly useful and learning lots about

targeted marketing as well as networking with other business

people.”

“I found the Scottish Government’s new Small Business Bonus

scheme really helpful as I was able to receive business rates relief,

which has made real difference in my first year.”

Telephone 0800 917 864� or 01786 8494�9www.ddd-�.co.uk

DiD you know?

Using a spreadsheet as a database can lead to trouble, however, a database built from spreadsheet data can be an inexpensive way to help develop your business.

Uniqueness of product and pricingA Microsoft Access database can hold up to two billion records – this

is more than sufficient for the needs of most businesses, small or

large. As long as a business has Microsoft Office licence(s), the

Access-based systems developed by d³ will run without the need for

any large enterprise solutions.

Paul continued: “We provide a complete service, with installation,

training and a one year Service Maintenance Agreement (SMA)

included free of charge. Our “local licensing” scheme is also

unique in that once a set number of users is reached there are no

additional costs.”

d3 has modelled four database designs around typical business

activities, with prices starting from £150:

l Customer Relationship (CRM); l Partial Accounts; and

l Stock Processing; l Asset Management.

What next for d³?d³ are currently developing their services to include speech

recognition software and screen readers for people who are visually

impaired. Paul reported: “The voice recognition software is excellent

for people with low dexterity, but it’s also great for people with a

lot to say – you can dictate text and it is typed up as you speak, or

simply plug in a Dictaphone and your words appear onscreen three

times faster than normal speech!”

d³ plan to apply the enabling technologies to their database

products in the future.

9www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Provision of work-orientated language skillsThe Stirling School of English would like to build closer ties with the

business community by asking them to advise their workers of the

existence of the school.

The school gives students an opportunity to learn English in a relaxed

atmosphere, practice speaking with fellow students and interacting

with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Volunteer Coordinator Lore Kelling said: “It would be of mutual

benefit if businesses could make their workers aware of our services

– we want to reach as many migrant workers and their families

as possible and we can offer free work-orientated language skills

to employees. In turn, improved English language skills increase

performance in the workplace.”

For further information contact the Stirling School of English on

0781774990� or visit www.stirling-school-of-english.com

Name: Amy Skelton & Krista Priestly

Job Title: Salon Owners

Place of work: Beauty at Ebu, The Stirling Arcade

How do you get to work? AS: Car KP: Bus

What is your favourite place to eat out? Why? AS: The Riverhouse, the lunch menu is good value for money

KP: At home, my husband is a head chef and a great cook

What do you think the Stirling area could most benefit from? AS: H&M KP: Good quality hotels to bring more business to the area

What is your favourite colour? AS: Purple KP: Pink

What is the best thing about doing business in Stirling? AS & KP: Our salon gets a wide range of clientele and as we are in the city

centre, it’s easy access to the train and bus stations.

What do you think the biggest issue is for businesses in the AS & KP: As our salon is seen, people know where we are, whereas some

Stirling area? small businesses rely on advertising to make people aware of where they

are. The credit crunch has also affected some businesses.

What is the biggest issue for your business? AS & KP: We are one of the lucky businesses. We haven’t noticed a drop in

business as we keep our prices low so that our clients can still afford their

regular treatments.

What is your favourite shop? AS: Betti Loves It KP: Betti Loves It

What is your greatest ambition? AS & KP: We have already achieved our ambition as we love our work - we

have been running our own salon for over one year and we are continuing

to attract new clients.

30 second interview

Beauty At Ebu: 01786 451963

Dataspace Scotland launch new data backup serviceStirling based Dataspace Scotland

launched a new Fully Managed Data

Backup Service recently.

The service is aimed at small to medium sized businesses who

recognise the need for data backup but may not have the internal

resources to manage this. An automated tape library is used to

schedule which data is backed up. Tapes are physically swapped

by Dataspace and taken offsite daily for secure fireproof storage.

Dataspace remotely monitor the backup and any issues are

immediately dealt with.

One of the first businesses to take up the new service was Lomond

Plant. Ross Easton, Director, said: “This service has been excellent

value for money and gives our company complete peace of mind

over the safety of our valuable information. The service provides an

excellent solution to disaster recovery issues.”

www.dataspacescotland.co.uk

10 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Stirling’s Business Panel, led by the Executive Group, has been working hard to

address key concerns outlined in the 2008 Annual Business Panel Survey. One of

these concerns was the lack of support for businesses. In response, the Stirling

Business Panel held a Funding and Innovation Support Event at Castle Business

Park on Wednesday 30th September.

Part of the Business Panel Executive Group

Stirling’s

Business Panel

now represents

over 530 local

businesses.

STIRLING BUSINESS PANEL

Newest Executive Group member Rosie McLaren with Business Panel member Robin Thomson from The Cornish Pastry Bakery, Stirling Arcade.

Over 30 business support

agencies and organisations

were on hand to advise

business visitors about the

range of support available.

Running a small business

with few staff and limited

resources always makes it hard

to devote the time to research

the support that might be

available to help with activities

like new product development,

staff development, investment

in capital equipment and a

myriad range of other business

activities aimed at growing a

business. In many instances,

some form of support may be

available, but the criteria for

qualification varies, the support

is within a limited timeframe or

it is not generally known that

such support even exists.

Having a variety of providers

and support agencies under

one roof allowed attending

businesses to talk directly to

a number of exhibitors. By

doing so, they were able to get

a much better understanding

of the business support that

is available and how to gain

access to that support.

It is believed that this was

the first time that such an

event has been held in the

Stirling area. Depending on

the feedback from delegates,

Stirling Business Panel might

repeat this type of event at a

future date.

George Stevenson, Non-

Executive Group Chairman of

Mathiesons and part of the

leadership group of Falkirk

Business Panel also spoke at

the event. He described the

time, effort and

commitment

involved in

developing the

Falkirk Business

Panel to its present scale. He

also described the importance

to the business community of

having an active and effective

Panel to represent their views

to local and national government

on key strategic issues.

The venue for the event,

Strathallan House, was hosted

by Stirling Development

Agency, the joint venture

company co-owned by Stirling

Council and Valad Property

Group. Forth Valley College,

Stirling University Innovation

Park and Stirling Council also

supported the event.

Local Development Plan – Stirling Business Panel consultationAs Stirling Eye went to press, Stirling Council Planners were

preparing to host an event in the Council Chambers. The aim

was to consult with Business Panel members to gain insight

into business community views on the Stirling Area Business Space Strategy.

The Planners want to know what the main land use problems are for business, views on how these

problems can be addressed and ideas on how the business community would like to see Stirling

evolve in both the urban and rural areas, over the next 20 years. This is another example of the Stirling

Business Panel being effective in allowing the local business community to voice their views and

influence future policy.

If you missed the event and would like to contribute to the consultation, please contact Sandra Lindsay

(Planning Officer – Stirling Council) on 01786 44�985, email lindsaysa@stirling.gov.uk

For more information on the Stirling Area Business Space please contact Iain Smith on 01786 44�47�

or email smithi@stirling.gov.uk

11www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Not already a Business Panel member? Please contact Bill Fortune (Business Partnership

Executive – Stirling Council) on 01786 443172,

email panel@stirling.gov.uk or join online at

www.stirlingbusinesspanel.org

2009 Annual Business Panel SurveyMentioned in the last edition of Stirling Eye, this year’s Annual

Business Panel Survey was launched following the Funding and

Innovation Support event on 30th September.

This is a very important survey for Stirling businesses, to ensure that

the Council and its key partners are fully aware of the key issues as

they affect local businesses.

Last year’s survey highlighted low net satisfaction levels regarding

business space and car parking.

As reported in the last issue of Stirling Eye, this resulted in the

Chairman of the Panel holding a meeting with the Head of Roads.

This in turn led to the Head of Roads attending an Executive Group

meeting. During the meeting it was revealed that a complete review

of the city centre parking strategy is to be undertaken. As part of

the consultation process that will occur in the development of a city

centre parking strategy, it is expected that the Business Panel will

be consulted, allowing the views of local business to inform the

outcome.

Stirling Council’s Planning Department will be particularly interested

in the views expressed in the survey, so it is in the interest of all

Panel members to participate.

For members who have not received an electronic invitation to

participate, please contact the Panel at panel@stirling.gov.uk or

phone 01786 44�17�.

MEMBER PROFILEKevin Ferguson

Managing Director Ancora-Imparo

In this issue, we profile

Executive Member Kevin

Ferguson of Ancora-Imparo.

Stirling born and bred, Kevin

studied Economics and Marketing

at Paisley and spent a year with

IBM in Greenock. From there he joined the regional headquarters

of Dutton Forshaw in Newcastle.

Kevin was then recruited by a management consultancy in the

North East of England and completed a post graduate diploma in

Business IT at the University of Northumbria.

Returning to Scotland, Kevin spent the next 10 years working

for companies involved with IT, Health & Safety, IT training and

Customer Relationship Management Tools. He then decided to go

it alone and start up his own company, Ancora-Imparo.

Within a month of starting the business in 2004, Kevin joined

the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and was appointed Vice

Chairman of Forth Valley branch in 2005.

This year his business was named UK and Ireland partner of the

year by Mamut Business Software.

Kevin said: “I joined the FSB as I saw it as an organisation

providing small businesses with a voice at national level.

I see the Business Panel in a similar way, raising the profile locally

of the business community and giving them a stronger voice in

their dealings with the local Council.

I look forward to the next major milestone for my business – our

tenth anniversary in 2013 and look forward also to helping develop

the Stirling Business Panel further.”

Ancora Imparo translates as “I am still learning”.

DiD you know?

Michelangelo wrote “Ancora Imparo” in the margin of one of his sketches when he was in the final stages of his life. Michelangelo lived to almost 90 years of age and was, like his great rival Leonardo, an artist, architect, sculptor, poet and engineer.

DiD you know?

Stirling Business Panel now has its own website designed by Stirling IT – to check it out, please visit www.stirlingbusinesspanel.org

www.stirlingbusinesspanel.org

1� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Special feature Stirling Enterprise Update

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Executive Director,

Derek Gavin commented: “While start-up

figures nationally paint a disappointing

picture, in the Stirling area things appear to

be holding steady. STEP assisted a total of

221 businesses to make it to the starting

line during the 2008/9 time frame. This

figure shows a percentage increase of

9.4% on numbers for the same period in

the previous year, which saw 202 new

businesses commence trading with STEP’s

assistance.”

This sense of buoyancy isn’t restricted just

to start-ups. The number of businesses

demonstrating significant growth

aspirations continues to remain healthy

within the Stirling district. A total of 37

businesses from a range of sectors including

manufacturing, food and drink, tourism and

pharmaceuticals were accepted on to the

Scottish Enterprise Growth Pipeline through

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway

during the same 2008/9 period. These are

businesses deemed capable of increasing

turnover by £400,000 within a three year

period.

Economic activity in rural Stirling remained

resilient with

31.2% of

business start

ups in 2008/9

emerging from

outwith the

city of Stirling.

Of the growth

pipeline

businesses

accepted for

the period, a

high 62% were

based in rural

Stirling.

Derek continued: “The effects of the credit

crunch starting to bite towards the end

of 2008 and early in to 2009 has perhaps

contributed to this upsurge in interest

and activity in the business start-up arena

within the Stirling district. With increasing

numbers of people facing redundancy and

unemployment, many look towards self-

employment as an alternative – and in their

eyes - more secure career option.

“Looking at the broader business picture,

we acknowledge however that it’s not

all rosy. We know from our interaction

with existing businesses across the Stirling

locality, that it’s tough out there. Businesses

are weathering the economic storm with

varying degrees of success. While some are

surviving literally on a week to week basis

we, encouragingly, still have businesses

with healthy balance sheets demonstrating

solid and ambitious growth aspirations. This

disparity is

something

we are very

mindful

of in our

day to day

dealings with

businesses

and the

support

mechanisms

we offer.”

The potential

to further

maximise on

the strength of the rural economy, which

continues to perform particularly well, is

one that has been recognised at national

level. The launch of the Scottish Rural

Development Programme (SRDP) Rural

Priorities Scheme in April 2008 has helped

breathe new life and enthusiasm in to key

rural business sectors.

The Scottish Government grant scheme,

which has the ability to match fund

STIRLING START-UP NUMBERS BUCK NATIONAL TREND

Derek Gavin, Stirling Enterprise Executive Director

“FIVE STAR RATED: Business in rural Stirling remains buoyant, bolstered by a thriving tourism industry (pictured Foxglove Cottages, by Drymen).”

Business start-up numbers in the Stirling district have remained

buoyant, despite a declining national trend.

The Committee of Scottish Clearing Banks which collates figures

from Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale, Lloyds TSB Scotland and Royal

Bank of Scotland reported recently that business start-up numbers

in Scotland for the first quarter of 2009 were 25% down on last year.

This picture contrasts sharply with the experiences of local Business

Gateway contractor, Stirling Enterprise (STEP) in the last financial year.

Business Start-Up awareness and training workshops delivered by

STEP during the April 2008 to March 2009 time period were well

attended, with 43 workshops delivered during the 12 month period

attracting a total of 340 people. Additional free business training

events addressing subjects like Online Trading, Search Engine

Optimisation, Book-keeping and Marketing attracted a total of 237

delegates to the 27 workshops that ran during the period.

1�www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Special feature Stirling Enterprise Update Stirling Enterprise Update Special feature

SRDP Rural Priorities update from STEP Since the launch of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) in April 2008,

three Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway clients have been supported in

making successful applications that have resulted in grant awards totalling £250,000.

The three tourism businesses, which are based across the Stirling district, have opted

not to receive any publicity concerning their grant awards.

The awards have supported the creation of a new B&B facility, the expansion of an

existing self-catering facility and the creation of five new self-catering units.

STEP continue to work with rural businesses across the Forth Valley district to

understand the opportunities existing within the SRDP Rural Priorities Scheme and how

to tackle the online application process.

A variety of businesses are currently engaged with and working their way through the

2-stage application process. This can take approximately 4 - 5 months to complete from

start to finish.

Three panel meetings per year are held across 11 Scottish regions to decide on the

outcome of applications that make it to the final stages.

Forth Valley businesses are able to access Business Gateway Advisory support to

complete the necessary paperwork required to satisfy Scheme assessors.

Caroline Brown, STEP Rural & Farm Support Officer said: “We work very closely with

SRDP Case Workers in Perth, providing local knowledge of business case applicants and

drawing in Business Gateway Adviser expertise to comment on the viability of projects

put forward. The relationship we have cultivated is working well and it is heartening

to see such good quality proposals come to fruition. We look forward to seeing many

more in the future lifespan of the scheme.”

Through part-funding from the Scottish Government Skills Development Scheme (SDS)

STEP also run outreach workshops across Forth Valley helping farmers and foresters

tackle the online application process.

Caroline continued: “Our target was to assist 60 farmers across the Forth Valley area to

access this valuable training opportunity over a one year programme period. We are on

track to surpass that figure.”

Any business looking for further information on the SRDP Rural Priorities Scheme

should contact Caroline Brown, Rural & Farm Support Officer, Stirling Enterprise

(STEP) Business Gateway on 01786 46�416 or

email cbrown@stirling-enterprise.co.uk .

rural business development projects,

has so far granted £250,000 to projects

locally. Recipients in these cases were all

businesses operating within the tourism

sector. With uptake of the scheme gaining

momentum, Stirling Enterprise (STEP)

Business Gateway is optimistic about what

this will mean.

Rural & Farm Support Officer, Caroline

Brown commented: “While rural and farm

businesses have to make their way through

a rigorous application process to access

the funding on offer through the SRDP

Rural Priorities scheme, the gains make it

worthwhile. Never before has there been

a grant fund offering our rural businesses

such a significant cash injection. The

ideas that the scheme is generating and

the proposals that we are seeing coming

forward are impressive and, taken together,

demonstrate real potential to further

strengthen and grow our rural economy.”

For further information on Business

Start-Up, Business Growth or the SRDP

Rural Priorities Grant Scheme, contact

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business

Gateway on 01786 46�416 or email

step@stirling-enterprise.co.uk

Busy times at new business start-up, Stirling Cycle Repairs

14 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Business space developments

Expansion of Manor Business Park, Blairlogie

Development is now underway at Manor Business Park, Blairlogie,

located adjacent to the A907, between Stirling and Alloa.

The development will form an extension to the existing Business

Park, providing modern industrial units, office accommodation and

children’s’ nursery facilities. Upon completion, the development will

provide flexible business space for small to medium sized companies,

particularly those who operate locally and are seeking a good quality

working environment within the Stirling area.

The new accommodation will provide modern industrial units, with

the flexibility to meet individual occupier requirements, through the

combination of the standard 116 sq m (1,250 sq ft) and 232 sq m

(2,500 sq ft) units. Two individual units extending up to 325 sq m

(3,500 sq ft) with the benefit of good eaves height are also proposed.

The additional space is aimed at meeting the needs of existing

occupiers, who wish to grow their business without undertaking a

major relocation exercise.

Re-development of the existing farmhouse will also see the creation

of a children’s nursery, with secure landscaped grounds, serving the

Business Park and surrounding areas.

The Business Park has been developed in sympathy with its rural

setting and the expansion will continue in this vein, while offering

modern commercial accommodation to rival any in the Stirling area.

Competitive rental levels and an attractive working environment are

the foundations of this new development aimed at keeping business

growing in the local area.

The man behind the expansion Mr Tom Cox, himself a successful

entrepreneur, said his objective was “…the creation of a development

which will address the needs of small businesses, particularly within

the local community, by creating an affordable property solution in

difficult economic times.”

Work is due to complete at Manor Business Park in January, 2010 and

full details of the development and available accommodation can

be obtained from Jennifer Sorley of Ross & Liddell on 0141 204 7355,

email j-sorley@ross-liddell.com

Stirling Area Business Space Strategy

Jubilee House

Manor Business Park

Stirling Council recently

published its revised Business

Space Strategy for the Stirling

Council area. The Strategy

provides analysis

of demand, supply

and take-up of

business space

and also provides

recommendations

for the Stirling

Council and National

Park planning

authorities.

The Business Space Strategy

will help to shape provision

of land for future business

space development in the new

Stirling Local Development

Plan, currently being drafted

by Stirling Council’s Planning

Department.

Key findings from the Business

Space Strategy are:

l The majority of demand

for office and industrial

premises is for units of less

than 500 sq m.

l 40% of available industrial

floorspace is pre-1960s,

leaving limited choice and

supply of modern industrial

units with continued

opportunities for renewal

and redevelopment of stock.

l Since 2005, 46% of

employment land has been

developed for uses other

than office and industrial.

l Future economic growth

will require around 158,429

sq m of replacement

industrial space by 2032

to replace stock that is no

longer fit for purpose.

l 235,846 sq m of additional

office space will be required

by 2032, consisting

of 202,519 sq m to

accommodate new jobs

and 33,327 sq m to cover

replacement of stock that is

no longer fit for purpose.

l There is a lack of effective

employment sites allocated

for business space

development for the next

20 years.

The Business Space Strategy

also made recommendations,

including:

l An additional 34 hectares

of land needs to be

allocated for office space

development in the new

Local Development Plan.

l Stirling Council should

ensure that all effective

employment sites

identified in the strategy

for the next 20 years are

allocated through the

Local Development Plan

for office or industrial

use. The Council should

15www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Looking for property? Visit www.stirling.gov.uk/property

DiD youknow?

Buchlyvie lends its name to

a very famous Clydesdale

stallion, the Baron O’Buchlyvie

who was involved in a legal

dispute over ownership, which

led to him being sold in 1911

for £9,500 – a record price

for any horse at the time.

The skeleton of the Baron

O’Buchlyvie is displayed in

the Kelvingrove Art Gallery &

Museum in Glasgow.

prevent the loss of such

allocated employment sites for

alternative uses.

l Stirling Council should work

with owners, agents and

partners to find a suitable

existing or new business

site / area for relocation

and expansion of Stirling

Enterprise Park.

For more information on the

Stirling Area Business Space

please contact Iain Smith

on 01786 44�47� or email

smithi@stirling.gov.uk

7 Melville Terrace, StirlingFirst floor office accommodation at the prominent 7 Melville Terrace

has also benefited from an internal upgrade.

The traditional cellular office space extends to 140 sq m (1,513 sq ft)

and benefits from having attic storage space of 42 sq m (508 sq ft)

above.

Improvements to offices include raised floors, carpeting and decoration

together with new kitchenette area.

Further details can be obtained from joint letting agents Andrew Peel of

Graham and Sibbald on 01786 463111, email apeel@g-s.co.uk and Peter Fleming of Montagu Evans on

0131 229 3800, email peter.fleming@montagu-evans.co.uk

Flexible business space in Buchlyvie

A former health surgery in Buchlyvie Main Street has been

refurbished to provide flexible business space in the rural area,

ideally suited to therapeutic professionals.

The development includes rooms for exclusive or flexible/sessional

use. Two rooms of 10.5 sq m (113 sq ft) and 11.5 sq m (124 sq ft)

are currently available, with shared reception/waiting area and good

car parking.

Local doctor Robert Lindsay bought and refurbished the old surgery

in 2008 and has already attracted a number of tenants including Dr

Elena Leschen, Consultant in Nutritional Medicine, Virginia Irvine-

Fortescue, Medical Herbalist and Angus Robertson, Therapeutic

Masseur. Robert also practices from the premises, specialising in child

and family mental health and

family business consultancy.

For more information about

the remaining opportunities,

contact Robert on

0778 865 6310, email

rlindsay@doctors.org.uk or

visit www.theoldsurgery.net

Dr Elena Leschen, Dr Robert Lindsay and Virginia Irvine-Fortescue, Old Surgery, Buchlyvie

16 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Wallace HouseWallace House recently benefited

from an extensive refurbishment

scheme of around a quarter of

a million pounds to the main

common areas and vacant offices.

The full extent of the

improvements include new ceiling

grids with integral lighting, dado

trunking and new carpeting and decoration, signage as well as enhancements to the lift and

reception area with frontage canopy intended to complete.

Recent occupiers, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Geothermal and a range of established

occupiers are taking full advantage of the improvements to the common areas as well as the

on-site concierge service.

Andrew Peel of Graham & Sibbald commented: “The refurbishment of the common areas and

vacant suites has brought Wallace House into the 21st century. The building now provides

superb office accommodation within an enviable City Centre location, only a few paces from

Stirling’s train and bus stations.”

Only three office suites remain for lease on flexible terms providing space from 67 sq m (720

sq ft) to 264 sq m (2,837 sq ft) although enquirer interest is currently being shown in two of

the suites.

Ground floor space of 86 sq m (927 sq ft) was recently leased to Body and Sole Healthcare for

their new chiropody and complementary treatments practice.

Further details on improvements and remaining space can be obtained from Andrew Peel

of Graham and Sibbald on 01786 463111, email apeel@g-s.co.uk or contact Kate Byrne of

Savills on 0131 247 3821, email kbyrne@savills.com

Business space developments

The former site of Stirling Auction Mart at

Kildean East is set to become the home

of Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus

following a landmark deal announced by

the site’s developer, Elphinstone Group Ltd,

and the College.

Land and property developer, Elphinstone,

acquired the 30-acre Kildean site as part of

its creation of the new Stirling Agricultural

Centre. Now Elphinstone has agreed to sell

Forth Valley College a seven-acre portion of

the Kildean site to create the college’s new

£29 million Stirling Campus.

The Kildean site is viewed as being

particularly appropriate for the new college

campus with its attractive riverside setting,

good transport links and its accessibility

from Stirling city, the wider rural community

and the College’s Raploch Campus.

Forth Valley College has already submitted

outline plans for the construction of the new

campus, to begin in August 2010 with the

campus opening in April 2012.

Elphinstone plans to use the remaining 23-

acre site to create a 250-home residential

development supported by commercial and

retail space including a 60-bed hotel, a 650

sq m restaurant and a 1,200 sq m shopping

development.

Dr Mike Cantlay, Chairman of the Board of

Management for Forth Valley College, said:

“This is an exciting time for Forth Valley

College with an ambitious estates strategy.

We are delighted to have secured the

Kildean East site for our new Stirling

Campus. This is an attractive location

with excellent transport links and close

proximity to our existing Raploch Campus.

Furthermore, the site will be accessible for

a wide range of learners and it’s also at the

heart of a business growth area.

“The campus will have a strong focus on

vocational training with an impressive range

of technical specialist facilities in areas

Elphinstone and Forth Valley College announce deal to house new College Campus in Stirling

such as Engineering, Creative Industries,

Construction and Hospitality.”

Commenting on the deal to create Forth

Valley College’s new Stirling Campus, Ken

Ross, Chairman of Elphinstone, said:

“I am delighted that we have been able

to accommodate the needs of Forth Valley

College by releasing seven acres of the

Kildean site to house their new Stirling

Campus. In doing so, I sincerely hope

that we will help Forth Valley College to

create a 21st Century site that will provide

employment, educational and training

facilities for the people of Stirling and the

surrounding area.”

Books and Mortar: (from left to right) Dr Mike

Cantlay, Chairman of the Board of Management

of Forth Valley College, Dr Ken Thomson, Depute

Principal of Forth Valley College and Ken Ross,

Chairman of Elphinstone are all excited at

the prospect for a new seat of learning at the

Kildean East site.

17www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Planning applications updateSeven planning applications with a

significant business focus have been

submitted to Stirling Council since the last

edition of Stirling Eye (July) and are still

being considered, pending a decision:

l An application by Whitbread Group Plc

for extension to hotel, alterations to car

park and change of use of agricultural

land (640 sq m extension of hotel – 22

new bedrooms proposed) at Pirnhall

Inn, Pinrhall Road West, Stirling.

l An application by Stirling Development

Agency for a new mixed use

development with total floor area of

18,000-19,700 sq m comprising civic,

commercial, retail, private residential,

library, hotel, restaurant, affordable

residential and commercial parking use

on land at Station Road, Stirling.

l An application by Elphinstone Land

Ltd for a mixed-use development

incorporating business, industrial,

storage and agricultural machinery and

vehicle sales (5.85 acres) on land to

north of Hill Of Drip Farm, bounded by

River Teith and River Forth.

l An application by the McNicol-Cox Trust

for erection of one industrial unit (292

sq m) at Manor Farm, Manor Road,

Blairlogie.

l An application by Forth Valley College

for development of new college campus

facilities, associated access, parking and

ancillary works (5.1 hectares) at Kildean

Auction Market, Drip Road, Stirling.

l An application by Struthers & Scott

Veterinary Surgeons for erection of a

new veterinary surgery with associated

parking (744 sq m) on land south of

Lochill Industrial Estate and north of

Kilmadock Cemetery, Doune.

l An application by Airtricity Developments

(UK) Ltd for development of 11 wind

turbines and associated infrastructure

including a temporary construction

compound, sub station and control

building, underground power cables,

2 permanent anemometer masts, site

access tracks, 5 water crossings and up to

2 borrow pits (11 turbines, 753 hectares)

on land some 1.5 km north west of

Muirpark Farm, Stirling.

The following planning application has been

supported in principle, but is subject to detailed

negotiations to draw up a planning agreement:

l An application by Stirling Enterprise (STEP)

for a convenience superstore with service

area, car parking and landscaping (6,900

sq m retail) at Stirling Enterprise Park,

Springbank Road, Stirling.

Planning schedules can be viewed at www.stirling.gov.uk/planningschedule

The following planning applications have

been approved:

l An application by Kippendavie Group

Trust for an 18 hole golf course with

club house, car parking, open air

practice facilities (renewal of permission

under Article 5 of General Permitted

Order 1992) (98 hectares golf course)

on land at Kippendavie, Ramsay Drive,

Dunblane.

l An application by Ian MacLeod Distillers

Ltd to replace and extend storage

facility, siting of potable tank, car

parking and ancillary works (3,702 sq m

storage facility) at Glengoyne Distillery,

Strathblane.

l An application by Stirling Development

Agency for phase 1 infrastructure works

including road access (5.1 hectares

– footpaths, cycleways, street lighting,

foul and surface water drainage and

public utility services) at Kildean Auction

Market, Drip Road, Raploch.

l An application by Gladman

Development Limited for substitution

of consented buildings by three storey

office extending to 2,748 sq m on

land some 100 m north of Dunblane

Cemetery, Barbush, Dunblane.

Looking for property? Visit www.stirling.gov.uk/property

Forsyth Business Centre, Castle Business Park

Forsyth Business Centre located in Castle

Business Park has a number of flexible

business space opportunities currently

available.

The Business Centre provides fully serviced

modern office accommodation with flexible

leases from 3 months plus. Office suites

vary in size from around 61 sq m (200 sq ft)

to 305 sq m (1,000 sq ft).

The Business Centre can provide meeting

room facilities suitable from two to twenty

five people and can arrange catering for

delegates as required.

Forsyth Business Centre provides excellent

access to Stirling’s motorway network

and is within easy reach of Stirling City

Centre. The Business Centre has ample

car parking for tenants and visitors alike.

Two of the largest occupiers within the

centre are Asian information technology

firm TATA Consultancy Services and the

British Dental Association. A few of the

most recent tenants to take advantage of

a flexible lease and modern office suites

are Efficient Client Services, an IT and

technology company and Stirling Consulting.

For more information on remaining flexible

business space or to book a tour of Forsyth

Business Centre, please contact Shirley-Ann

O’Hare, Centre Manager on 01786 431700,

email shirley-ann.o’hare@forsyth.co.uk

www.forsyth.co.uk

18 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Sector feature ConstructionThe construction sector is vitally important

to Scotland’s economy. It facilitates

regeneration and economic growth by

providing new infrastructure, and in 2007,

consisted of 41,435 businesses employing

161,000 people and generating a turnover

of £13.4 billion. The construction sector

accounted for around 14 per cent of Gross

Domestic Product in 2006.

There were around 400 construction

businesses in the Stirling Council area in

2007, employing over 3,400 people.

However, the construction industry,

particularly private house building, has been hit hard

by the recession. The global downturn, limited

access to finance and the collapse of the housing

market have meant that many construction

businesses are increasingly reliant on public sector

work. This has resulted in strong competition for

public sector contracts, as well as tough market

operating conditions.

Indications are that the housing sector is beginning

to pick up with a number of private sector

house builders resuming construction on private

developments in the Forth Valley area. There are also

a number of significant construction projects planned

or underway across the Central Belt, including:

l £29 million new Stirling Campus for Forth Valley

College;

l Contracts for the 2014 Commonwealth Games

(£90 million Velodrome and sports arena);

l £320 million Private Finance Initiative upgrade of

the M80;

l £850 million planned retail and leisure centre in

Edinburgh;

l £40 million revamp of Edinburgh Airport; and

l £1.72-2.34 billion new Forth Replacement Crossing.

All public sector construction contracts are now

advertised on www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

This feature includes interviews with key individuals

from the local construction sector, detailing changes

to the construction industry over time and the impact

of the recession.

Forth Construction ForumThe Forth Construction Forum was launched in Stirling in 2005 to provide support to construction related businesses located within the Stirling area to help them take advantage of contracting opportunities. With businesses eager to join, there are now over 350 members and the local forum has expanded to cover Falkirk and Clackmannanshire too.

While promoting good practice, the Forum facilitates the flow of information between clients, the industry and key agencies. The Forum has already helped Stirling area members to win over £1.5m worth of work on the Raploch Regeneration project.

The type of business help and solutions provided by the Forum includes putting operatives through Construction Skills Certification Scheme tests, sourcing Health and Safety training and providing procurement training. Martin Reid, Coordinator of Forth Construction, has even attended Holyrood to lobby on behalf of Forum members.

Membership of the Forum is free and any construction related business in the Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk area can join. Events and training are delivered directly by Forth Construction. Martin said: “The current economic climate has driven home more than ever the need to be competitive and have the ability to deliver what the client wants; and we can help with that.”

Forth Construction is publicly funded and supported by Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils.

Martin and Forum Administrator Jackie Mitchell are always ready to hear from businesses wishing to join the Forum and explain to them the benefits of membership. For more information, please phone 01�59 ��6685 or visit www.forthconstruction.co.uk

19www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Construction Sector feature

Interview with Martin Reid, Coordinator of Forth Construction ForumWhat is your

background? “Growing up, most of

my family worked in the

construction industry,

so when I left school I did my apprenticeship as a plasterer.

Soon after I went to University and went on to work for the

Construction Licensing Executive and the Scottish Building

Federation before taking the role of Project Co-ordinator for

Forth Construction.”

What does your role with Forth Construction involve?“It is my job to provide business support and solutions in order

to help our members expand and grow. This includes providing

training, encouraging major contractors to take on local sub-

contractors or even ensuring members concerns or issues get

to the ears of the Scottish Construction Centre or the Scottish

Construction Forum. All this is free for members.”

What impact has the recession had on construction?“Projects have been delayed due to lack of money and many

that had started have been mothballed. The housing sector has

suffered more than most.

Many apprentices have lost or are in danger of losing their jobs.

However, it is important to retain apprentices and look at ways

of making room for more, so that we can take full advantage of

economic recovery. “

Do you think the economic climate is improving?“I feel there are signs that we may have gone past the worst of

it but I think recovery will be slow for some time yet to come.”

What is your advice for getting through the recession?“Avoid working for bad payers and look outside your normal

parameters for opportunities. Survivability is all about adapting

to change.”

What are the current barriers?“A major barrier for construction companies is obtaining credit.

As suppliers feel the squeeze, credit lines shrink or disappear. “

What are the key opportunities?“There is the opportunity to make sure your company is ready

to take advantage of the upturn in work when it comes. The

Government recently announced a schools building programme

of £1.25 billion up to 2017 and there is also the new Forth

Replacement Crossing estimated at £1.72-2.34 billion to name a

couple of projects in the offing.”

Phil McEwan, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction LtdThe companyFollowing wartime service

two Stirling brothers

established Ogilvie in 1946

to build houses, however,

the business really took off after they built a bonded

warehouse. Duncan Ogilvie is the third generation to run

the company as Chief Executive. One of Stirling’s largest

companies, with a turnover of £147 million and more than

400 employees, the company is involved in construction of

hospitals, schools, pubs and hotels.

Phil McEwan, Managing Director of Ogilvie Construction outside the new Stirling High School, built by Ogilvie.

Phil, what are the key changes to the industry?“The move to novated design

and build, where clients

‘risk dump’, e.g. the design

of a project is passed to the

contractor and if the architect

doesn’t perform, the risk is

also passed to the contractor.

PPPs (Public Private

Partnerships) have taken

this to a new level, making

contractors responsible for

the long term operating and

servicing of buildings. We

have benefited from PPPs,

recently completing our tenth

£25-30 million school in the

Forth Valley area.

While PPPs remain in England,

the Scottish Government has

abolished them. This will affect

our turnover as there is currently

nothing to replace them.

Procurement procedures are

slower due to the introduction

of new European legislation,

which has also resulted in

contractors from overseas

bidding for work in Scotland.”

What about the recession?“It’s hard to predict what will

happen next. Who could have

predicted the problems with

RBS?

Clients are pulling out and not

proceeding with contracts –

commercial developers cannot

access finance to continue

with planned developments.

With increasing competition,

tenders are going in at

negative margins – this isn’t

sustainable and is a recipe for

lawyers’ litigation. We’ve had

to follow the trend, but have

stopped short of ludicrous

tender margins.

Although public sector work

will see us through the worst,

we’ve had to downsize and

lose some very good people.

But I think that the strong

will become stronger and we

will be in a good position for

economic recovery.”

Are there advantages to

being based in Stirling?“Yes, Stirling is viewed as a

neutral location, enabling us

to win work in both the East

and West and across Scotland

as a whole.”

www.ogilvie.co.uk

�0 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Sector feature Construction

Hugh, what have been

the key changes to the

construction industry?“Since the 1990s, health and

safety has been overhauled

and procurement procedures

are now more rigorous.

While the construction industry

has become more professional,

small companies have had

to develop skills to cover

estimating, surveying, pricing

and more.

The economic slowdown

has made construction more

competitive. Larger all trade

companies have started to bid

for work traditionally taken up

by smaller companies – these

companies can afford to be

quite aggressive with their

pricing.”

What about the recession?“As I run a small business, I am

able to manage the finances

closely in light of the current

economic situation.

From my point of view, it

appears that the main effect

of the recession has been

on the private sector clients

as people are more careful

about spending money and

re-investing in their property.

However, having said that, our

client numbers are up on last

year and hopefully this is a

signal that the worst is over.

Fortunately, we also have

public sector clients as we had

expanded into public sector

work before the recession.”

Are you involved in the

Forth Construction Forum?“Yes. The Forum Coordinator

has provided useful advice

when we are preparing

tenders and I have attended a

number of meetings, engaging

with other businesses and

procurement specialists; this

has been helpful.

In addition, our employees

have benefited from CSCS

training and asbestos

awareness training – both

are essential to assist us

gaining a CHAS health and

safety certificate. We are able

to access this training and

information free of

charge, which I believe

all members should

take advantage of.”

What advice do you have for other construction businesses?“I have benefited from

being an active member of

organisations such as SNIPEF

and Forth Construction.

These organisations are

Since 4th July �009 it has been a legal requirement for all businesses that install,

maintain or service stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump equipment

containing F Gas refrigerants to obtain certification. All companies affected by the

regulations must have an Interim Company Certificate or a Stationary Equipment

Qualification Company Certificate in place.

**STOP PRESS – F GAS COMPANY CERTIFICATES**

Hugh Lawson, DirectorForth Plumbing & Heating ServicesThe companyForth Plumbing & Heating Services was established in 1996. The

business employs seven people, including four tradesmen, two

apprentices and an Office Manager. Recent public sector contracts

include toilet refurbishments for local schools and the NHS in Clydebank.

Forth Plumbing & Heating

apprenticeBlair Craig

Hugh Lawson, Director of Forth Plumbing & Heating Services

Fasco launch new store in Stirling Engineering supplies specialist Fasco has bucked the economic trend with the launch of a new

concept store – Fasco Extra – in July.

The opening of Fasco Extra in Springkerse Industrial Estate celebrates

a homecoming for the company, which closed its previous outlet in

Stirling two years ago. With trade stores in Grangemouth and Shetland,

the Stirling store is the first to open to both business and general

customers. The Stirling store features workwear, a wide selection of

tools, power tools and accessories, safety gear and janitorial equipment.

John Scott, Managing Director of Fasco, said: “We are taking a positive and bold step forward in what is a

difficult economic climate. With its central location and great transport links, Stirling is the ideal location

for the first Fasco Extra and we hope this will be the first of many that will open across the country.”

www.fasco.co.uk

there to help businesses and

the more you engage with

them, the greater the benefit.”

�1www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Invite from Glasgow Caledonian University to Technology ShowcaseDuring the current economic crisis, the Government has been very keen to encourage

academia to work closely with the business sector to enable companies to become more

competitive and ready to prosper when

the economy picks up again in the months

ahead. As part of its outreach activities,

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is

holding its annual Technology Showcase

on Friday 23rd October 2009, from 11am

– 3pm in the University’s Saltire Centre.

The event provides Stirling businesses with

an excellent opportunity to see first hand

what expertise, technical assistance and

support are available through engaging

with a university. As well as demonstrations

of GCU’s own expertise and technologies,

there will be a number of companies from

the Stirling & Trossachs area exhibiting. The

companies will demonstrate the benefits to

their business of collaborative projects they

have undertaken with GCU through the KIT-

OUT project. (see www.kit-out.org ). One of

these companies is Callander based Wheels

Cycling Centre, whose owner Mark Shimidzu

approached the University for advice on

incorporating the latest green technologies

into a planned new development.

Delegates attending the 2009 Technology

Showcase will also be able to meet and talk

with a range of support agencies who can

give advice on funding, grants and other

assistance available to small and medium

sized businesses.

The event is free to attend and a buffet

lunch will be provided. Registration is now

open and places can be booked on-line

at www.kit-out.org/event-form.htm or

contact Audrey Meikle on 0141 ��1 8458

for further information.

Mugdock Makkers search for hidden talentThe Mugdock Makkers are on the lookout

for new members – creative people and

craft workers of quality.

Eric Lewis, a member

of Makkers, said: “We

are keen to find hidden

talent and reinvigorate

dormant entrepreneurial

skills. So if you are a

quality craft worker and

would like a new avenue

for publicising and selling

your work, we would

love to hear from you.”

The Mugdock Makkers

are a collective of artists

and craft workers who

offer a range of original

products at their craft

centre and gallery at

Mugdock Park Visitor’s

Centre. The Makkers

promote crafts and hold

demonstrations of their

work in action most

weekends.

If you join the Makkers,

you will be expected

to help in the gallery

and talk about or

demonstrate your craft

at weekends on a rota

basis.

To find out more,

please email info@

mugdockmakkers.org.uk

or phone 0141 956 6555.

www.mugdockmakkers.org.uk

Old Town Cemeteries re-open after £1.7 million refurbishmentThe £1.7 million project to restore Stirling’s Old Town

Cemeteries was recently completed.

Work on the project involved bringing the physical

infrastructure of the cemetery back to the original

Victorian style, with restoration of stonework, ironwork,

and, hard and soft landscaping. The Cemetery

interpretation project has been developed to include still

photographs, a series of documentary films on the

restoration of the Cemetery itself and a dedicated website.

The Old Town Cemeteries together with Stirling Castle,

Argyll’s Lodging and The Old Town Jail make up a

world-class experience for visitors. It’s hoped that the

restoration project will further enhance the Top of the

Town visitor experience, bringing more visitors to the

area for longer, generating additional spend for local

businesses.

The project received funding of £824,000 from the

Heritage Lottery Fund, £430,226 from Stirling Council,

£376,126 from Historic Scotland, and £18,183 for a

specific piece of work to Pithy Mary Pond from Scottish

Natural Heritage.

www.oldtowncemetery.co.uk

�� STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Interview with...

What is your background?Stirling born and bred, I have been with United Auctions (UA) for 25 years, originally in accounting, then general management and as a company Director for more than 10 years.

My job is challenging but rewarding. The best bit is the people – those I work with and the characters I meet on a daily basis.

We recently relocated our headquarters from Perth to Stirling, and have a network of different auction marts across Scotland including Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Oban, South Uist, Islay and Tiree.

Can you tell us about the Stirling Agricultural Centre?The Stirling Agricultural Centre opened in late July with an inaugural sale attended by the First Minister. Over 4,000 people were there to see the first animal – a Highland heifer – sold in a charity auction, for 10,000 guineas, raising £10,500 for a breast cancer charity.

Stirling has been excellent for UA – the value of the City as a central location for movement of livestock has not changed across the centuries. It made sense for us to centralise activity in Stirling for marketing of livestock and ease of access to motorway connections.

£15 million was invested in the new Centre,

based on a 51-acre site at Hill Of Drip.

The centre has a 13,500 sq m building,

including three auction rings, an exhibition

hall for showing bulls, 400+ livestock pens,

a restaurant, a conference room for 100+

people and 18 paddocks for resting sheep

coming from places like the Western Isles.

The Centre will also secure 300 long-term

jobs for the local economy.

I am delighted that local companies

like Ogilvie, FES and Tradstocks have

been involved in the construction and in

maintaining the Centre in the future.

What about the Perth Bull Sales?These world famous Sales are coming to Stirling this October and will be held here every October, February and May.

We are expecting around 8,000 visitors to the first sale – many will travel from afar providing huge benefit to the local tourism industry. We have worked with VisitScotland to put together an accommodation list, which has been sent to regular customers and is on our website - www.uagroup.co.uk.

As well as local established pedigree herds, we attract herds from across the UK.

The importance of the sale has increased

worldwide thanks to greater recognition of

genetics in livestock breeding. Buyers come

from as far as Argentina, Australia and Canada.

Are there other businesses located at the Centre?The developer, Elphinstone, is securing

tenancies for office and agri-retail space

within the Centre.

The demand is encouraging and we look

forward to other agri-related businesses

opening at the Centre soon. Stirling is

unique in that it boasts two auction marts

and two abattoirs and my vision is for the

Stirling Agricultural Centre to cement the

City as the agri capital of Scotland.

Elphinstone has also submitted a planning

application for construction of two further

buildings on the site in response to the high

demand for space.

What is your involvement with Forth Valley College?I was recently appointed to their Board. I

believe in lifelong learning and I’m excited

about the new Stirling Campus, which will

be a fantastic development, enhancing the

Western part of the city.

www.uagroup.co.uk

Neil McLean, Group Joint Managing Director, United Auctions

Stirling Auction, 1966. Copyright: Collections of Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum

DiD you know?

United Auctions has had a presence in Stirling for over 150 years.

��www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Stirling businesses support the artsStirling businesses are providing vital support to the arts, helping Stirling to host a range of

exciting exhibitions.

Schedule for October Perth Bull SalesThe Perth Bull Sales in October will be held at the Stirling Agricultural Centre over three days. The proposed

schedule of dates is:

l Friday 16th & Saturday 17th October Bulls arrive

l Sunday 18th October Inspection of Aberdeen Angus, Beef Shorthorn, Limousin and Simmental.

l Monday 19th October Shows and sales of Aberdeen Angus and Beef Shorthorn bulls and

females. Sales of other native breeds, Limousin show and Charolais

inspection.

l Tuesday �0th October Sales of Limousin, British Blue, Blonde D’Aquitaine and Saler females.

Show and sale of Simmental bulls and females and Show of Charolais.

l Wednesday �1st October Sale of Charolais.

The Perth Bull Sales in February are even bigger and will be split over two weeks.

www.uagroup.co.uk

Bell & Craig Solicitors (Stirling) were one of

11 local businesses to sponsor last year’s

Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the Stirling

Smith Art Gallery and Museum. Fergus Bell

said: “We were delighted to be involved.

This was an opportunity for the Smith and

for Stirling to show that it could hold an

exhibition of national importance. The

resulting publicity that we obtained raised

our profile in the area and was a great piece

of advertising. I would recommend other

businesses to sponsor events such as these.”

Councillor Colin O’Brien, Chairman of the

Trustees of the Stirling Smith, said: “There

isn’t the same history of sponsoring the arts

in Britain as there is in America, but this is

something Stirling businesses are starting to

change. A growing number of businesses

are sponsoring the activities of the Smith

Art Gallery and Museum, and in return have

received excellent publicity.”

Sponsorship for last year’s Leonardo da

Vinci exhibition helped to pay for additional

security, upgraded catering facilities and

improvements to environmental conditions

within the Gallery. The Government’s Arts

and Business programme also match funded

contributions from Stirling businesses

sponsoring the arts for the first time.

There are a number of ways to support the

Smith, and indeed, for the Smith to support

your business:

l You can sponsor an event or exhibition

and be included in publicity for the

event, including having your business

name on banners throughout Stirling.

l You can suggest an exhibition or

publication that ties in with your

business, e.g. the history of agriculture

in Stirling exhibition linking in with

the opening of the Stirling Agricultural

Centre and winter sales.

l You can suggest a leaflet or publication,

e.g. the Burns in Stirling leaflet produced

for the year of homecoming and

sponsored by the Stirling Burns Club.

Other events sponsored by local businesses

include:

l The ‘Men of Bannockburn’ exhibition

– sponsored by Graham’s the Family

Dairy; and

l The history of agriculture in Stirling

events running in November to coincide

DiD you know?

Martinmas on the 11th November used to be an important date on the agricultural calendar, with cattle that were too costly to feed over the winter slaughtered and the beef salted. It was also a traditional day for hiring and firing of staff.

with Martinmas and to celebrate the

opening of the new Stirling Agricultural

Centre – sponsored by United Auctions.

www.smithartgallery.demon.co.uk

�4 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Logoxpres Limited: 01786 447454 www.logoxpres.co.uk

Scottish Chambers of CommerceChambers of Commerce are the world’s oldest and most internationally

recognised business organisations. They have been serving Scottish

businesses since 1783, and have never been more relevant than they

are today.

Local distillerytours launched

Deanston Distillery near Doune is opening to the public

for the first time, with its recently launched tours.

Originally the site of a cotton mill dating back to 1785, the

buildings were converted to a whisky distillery in the early 1960s.

Owned by Burn Stewart Distillers, Deanston has impressive green credentials. Using specially

grown barley, free from pesticides and chemicals, Deanston produces an award-winning range

of organic whiskies and is the only distillery in Scotland self-sufficient in electricity. Located on

the banks of the stunning River Teith, its water-powered turbines generate enough power to

run the distillery, and excess which is sold back to the national grid.

Commenting on the decision to open up tours to the public, Distillery Manager Callum Fraser

said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to visit a Distillery still making whisky using

traditional methods.”

In terms of the local tourism offering, this now means visitors to the area can combine two

fantastic experiences, a whisky distillery tour and tasting with a trip to the nearby Doune

Castle.

To find out about tours and corporate facilities, call Ann Shackell on 01786 841422, email

ann.shackell@burnstewartdistillers.com

To request an application form for either

scheme, please contact The Rates Service

on 01786 443236 or email

rates@stirling.gov.uk

HAVE YOU CLAIMED YOUR SMALL BUSINESS BONUS?From 1 April 2009 the percentage relief

available changed. Businesses with

rateable values up to £15,000 may

have their rates reduced by between

25% and 100%.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce is

the umbrella organisation for 20 local

Chambers of Commerce across Scotland.

They have over 9,500 business members,

which together employ more than half

of Scotland’s private sector workforce.

Chambers serve businesses of all sizes and

across all sectors and their services include

networking opportunities, the Business

Mentoring Scotland programme and high-

level policy engagement with Government

and key decision makers.

Chambers of Commerce provide a channel

for businesses to raise issues with Government

and help to shape the business environment

to make our firms more competitive.

Liz Cameron, Chief

Executive of Scottish

Chambers of

Commerce said: “It is

with good reason that

Scottish Chambers of

Commerce is labelled

as Scotland’s Ultimate Business Network,

and our goal is to ensure that every

business in every part of Scotland is able to

benefit from our wide range of services.”

If you are interested in the establishment

of a Chamber of Commerce for the

Stirling area, please contact Bill Fortune

on fortuneb@stirling.gov.uk or phone

01786 443172.

Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers ofCommerce

Scottish Business Rates Deferral Scheme �009/10

Scottish Business Rates Deferral Scheme �009/10On 1st April 2009 most business rates bills

in Scotland increased by 5%.

In response to the

difficulties facing

businesses as a result of

the economic crisis, the

Scottish Government

and all 32 Scottish local authorities have

implemented a new business rates deferral

scheme this year to minimise the impact

of this increase, help cashflow and provide

a much needed boost for the Scottish

economy.

The scheme allows businesses to choose to

spread repayment of part of their 2009/10

business rates over three years. You can

choose to defer payment of 3% of your

2009/10 bill. You will pay back half the

deferred amount in 2010/11 and half in

2011/12.

�5www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

St Andrew’s Day (Homecoming Finale Weekend) update

Rally of scotland 2009 updateThis year, Stirling and Perth & Kinross will host the RACMSA Rally of Scotland, the largest

motor rally to take place in Scotland for twenty years. The international-status event, which

is the deciding round of the prestigious Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) series, will

involve three days of competitive driving over timed, special stages in Stirling, Perth and the

surrounding area.

The Ceremonial Start and

first stages of the event will

take place in Perthshire but

will then move on to Stirling

on the evening of Friday �0

November. The Forthside area

of the city will host a large

service park that will be open

on the Friday evening and

during the day on Saturday

�1 November, allowing rally

fans and families alike to get

up close to the cars and drivers

and enjoy some entertainment.

A traditional champagne

ceremony at Stirling Castle

Esplanade will bring to an end

the inaugural Rally of Scotland

and the whole international

series on Saturday 21

November. With commentary

and interviews with all the

crews and a large screen

showing images of the past

two days action there will be

plenty to keep the audience

entertained. The crews

competing in the National B

rally, who tackle the first 3

stages of the Saturday loop will

have their finishing ceremony

at Stirling Castle Esplanade too.

Viewing is free of charge at

the ceremonial finish.

Eurosport is the global

promoter of the IRC Series

and will be showing live

footage, as well as highlight

programmes, through their

international network. These

broadcasts will showcase

Stirling’s natural assets, with

the route taking in some of

the most stunning scenery the

area has to offer. For further

information on the Rally of

Scotland 2009 go to

www.stirling.gov.uk/rally

Giandomenico Basso

Kris Meeke

Ticket InformationTickets are now on sale.

Hotline: 0844 847 2488

Website: www.rallyscotland.tv

Or in person at: Barrhead

Travel, 29 – 31 Murray Place,

Stirling FK8 1DQ,

Tel: 01786 457780

Representatives from 26 countries took part in the World Fly

Fishing Championships 2009 in June. They are shown here

before the official opening ceremony in Drymen, with children

from Drymen Primary School and the Stirling Schools’ Pipe

Band. Funders and sponsors of the event included Stirling

Council, EventScotland and Glengoyne Distillery.

Stirling will celebrate St Andrew’s Day and the finale of Homecoming Scotland 2009 by hosting an exciting range

of events, from �6 to �0 November, that focus on Scottish culture – traditional and modern. Design by Iona CrawfordEvents will include ‘To See The Sky…’, a unique fashion show, gig

and exhibition featuring an exceptional collaboration between

contemporary Scottish fashion designer Iona Crawford and Japanese

fine artist Yukako Sakakura.

The event takes its name from Iona

Crawford’s Spring / Summer 2010

collection, which will be exclusively

shown within the setting of the

Tolbooth. Following the fashion

show, a hot selection of Scottish

indie bands will perform with a

contemporary Scottish DJ rounding

off the evening.

Other Stirling events for

St Andrew’s Day and the

Homecoming Finale Weekend

will include a fabulous ceilidh at

the Albert Halls, a Stirling Castle

ceilidh, city centre entertainment and a St Andrew’s Day Farmers’

Market. Entry to the National Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle

will also be free on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November to

mark this special occasion. For more information go to

www.visitstirling.org

At your service Health and Safety Health and Safety At your service

�6 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Health & Safety ExecutiveGood practice in health and safety is good for

your business – and it’s the law. Whatever the

size of your business, the Health and Safety

Executive (HSE) is there to help you.

The HSE has a wealth of information on its

website (www.hse.gov.uk) including online

advice and tools as well as a free, confidential

helpline that can save you time and effort:

l Their Better Business campaign shows why

health and safety is good for business, and

offers some simple steps and tools to help

you get started.

l ‘Your legal responsibilities’ tells you what you

must do as an employer and Getting started

– 10 steps shows you how to do it.

l You can download a free basic guide for

small businesses, including two ready-made

templates for a risk assessment and a health

and safety policy.

l The website also has information on how to

involve your workers in health and safety and

shows how effective leadership promotes

good practice.

Visit www.hse.gov.uk or call the confidential HSE Infoline on 0845 �45 0055.

Stirling Council’s Health and Safety team’s objective is to help people living and working in the area to be aware of the hazards to their health and safety and to reduce the likelihood of accidents and dangerous occurrences. The team also deals with noise complaints from commercial premises, safety of reservoirs and burial of the dead.

Stirling’s Health and Safety

team is responsible for making

sure that Health and Safety

regulations and legislation are

known and followed by

employers and their employees.

To do this they provide a free

advice and guidance service,

conduct Health and Safety

inspections, undertake accident

and incident investigations and

carry out enforcement action

where necessary.

All of the premises that Stirling

Council has enforcement

responsibility for, receive

programmed inspections at

varying intervals dependent on

the nature of their business and

according to the risks inherent

in that business. For example

tyre and exhaust fitters and

warehouses are inspected

much more

often than

small offices.

The Health

and Safety team is based at

the Municipal Buildings, Corn

Exchange Road, Stirling and can

be contacted on

0845 �77 7000 or eoadmin@

stirling.gov.uk

Who deals with what?Stirling Council and the Health and Safety Executive

The Council’s Health and Safety team enforces Health and Safety

legislation in non-manufacturing premises, such as offices, shops,

warehouses and service industries, while the Health and Safety

Executive is responsible for factories, workshops and construction sites.

Health and Safety At your service

�7www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

DiD you know?

Stirling Council’s Health and Safety team deal with 2,758 commercial premises from small corner shops up to the largest which is Prudential/Capita with almost 3,000 staff.

Health and Safety case studyName of Company: Blairdrummond Safari Park

Blairdrummond Safari Park opened in 1970 and prides

itself on its considerable visitor numbers and very low

accident rate. The safety of their visitors as well as their

animals and staff is paramount.

Every year changes and improvements are made to the park and

their collections of animals increases. Stirling Eye interviewed

Chief Game Warden, David Booth to find out how they work

together with the Health and Safety team.

David said:

“We work together with Stirling Council on a wide range of

projects. Ongoing projects include improving safety on our pedal

boats and the adventure playground. The Health and Safety team

assist us with our risk assessments and advise on additional safety

features such as improved signage.

We also recently worked with the Health and Safety team when

we constructed a new tiger enclosure with a visitor viewing

platform. The Health and Safety team gave us excellent support

from the planning stage to the completion of this project.

Each time the Park brings in something new, whether it be a

new animal or a new attraction, we work with the Council on risk

assessments and safe working practices. The Health and Safety

team give us invaluable advice on a wide range of subjects.”

www.blairdrummond.com

Health and Safety Officer

PROFILE

Name: Arthur Law

Job: Principal Environmental Health Officer, Health and Safety Team

Role: To develop and manage the Health and Safety Section

to ensure that, as a team, we promote health and safety,

deliver best value, continually improve our service and customer

focus, and ensure that we proactively meet our statutory

responsibilities and objectives.

Key areas of expertise: In our job, legislation changes

constantly and we have to keep abreast of any new laws,

initiatives, codes of practice, etc. I am here to offer technical

support to businesses, guidance on legislation and advice on any

enforcement action. I also accompany the team on inspections

where necessary.

Current workload: The work of the Health and Safety

team is extremely varied. We work with a diverse range of

businesses and provide advice and assistance on all aspects of

Health and Safety. Campaigns planned for the next six months

include slips and trips, noise, asbestos, violence at work,

handling goods safely, occupational asthma and hand arm

vibration disease reduction.

Although we enforce Health and Safety, we are also very keen to

offer practical advice to any new or existing businesses.

Currently, we are working on the recent changes to the Control

of Noise Regulations. Historically, any establishment that played

music was exempt from these regulations.

From April 2009, every establishment that plays music, has live

bands playing etc. must now comply with these regulations to

ensure the health and safety of their staff and clients. The team

must visit these entertainment premises to monitor noise levels.

The team also work with over 500 premises that have their own

private water supply, for example from lochs and burns. The

team test the water regularly to make sure it meets the legal

requirements for public consumption and we source grant aid to

fund any work required for improvements. We also monitor the

water quality at public and private swimming pools.

David Booth, Chief Game Warden with Dorothy, the White Rhino

DiD you know?

l The Park will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year and has over 50 different species of animals.

l Estrella, the parks oldest elephant is the largest female elephant in Europe.

�8 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

LEADER update feature

How your business can get its hands on European LEADER cash!As reported in previous editions of Stirling Eye, the Forth Valley and Lomond area has been awarded £2.77 million to allocate to projects

which ‘Revitalise Rural Communities’ or ‘Conserve the Natural Environment’ between now and 2013 through the Forth Valley & Lomond

LEADER Programme.

LEADER is part of the Scottish Rural

Development Programme (SRDP) and has

been set up to fund pilot or innovative

projects that support the wider objectives of

the SRDP as well as meet the aspirations of

the local area.

Businesses in the rural area can benefit from

LEADER funds in four different ways:

l They can benefit from better facilities

or services that another organisation in

their area has applied for (e.g. a new

technology that has been brought to the

area).

l They can benefit from a mini-grant

scheme that has been set up by a public

agency (e.g. the local Council) but

funded by LEADER.

l They can benefit from a project that

their local business association has

applied for (e.g. a marketing scheme

that has some innovative angle to it).

l They can apply for funds directly if

their project idea will benefit the wider

community and they can demonstrate

support for their project.

LEADER is designed to be flexible and

straightforward to apply for – the application

and appraisal process is quite separate from

the main SRDP funds, which means it is a

much quicker process and development

staff are available to help you think through

your project and application. It also means

a wide range of activities and types of

organisations are able to apply.

Examples of businesses who have benefited

from LEADER funding in the past include:

1. Food producers and food retail businesses

across the area, as a result of the Buy

Local Directory and Visitor Map (which

has subsequently been reprinted).

�. Outdoor activity operators, as a result of

the Go Smile Outdoors campaign.

�. Businesses in Strathard, as a result of

tourism marketing workshops run on

a transnational basis, followed by an

e-Tourism training course on maximising

the potential of participants’ websites.

4. Businesses across rural Stirling, as a

result of the Scottish Enterprise led

rural broadband initiative (back when

broadband was a relatively new concept!).

5. Start up businesses in the Doune and

Kilmadock area, as a result of the

Kilmadock Development Trust business

plan for converting the Old Bakery into

office space for lease.

6. Tourism businesses around Loch

Lomond, as a result of the 4Bs bus

and bike service (boots, bus, bikes and

boats).

7. Businesses in Bandeath as a result

of the Throsk Hub project which will

provide them with meeting room

space.

“This isn’t an exhaustive list;” explained

Anne-Michelle Ketteridge, Manager of the

LEADER Programme; “it just demonstrates

the many ways businesses can, and do,

benefit from LEADER funding. LEADER

must be one of the most accessible parts

of European funding, so I would encourage

any business or community organisation

with a well-researched idea for a rural

project, which is supported by the local

community, to contact us.”

Go to www.fvl.org.uk for more

information, or to note your enquiry.

Businesses in Bandeath Industrial Estate will be able to use the new community hub in Throsk.

Activity tourism businesses in the National Park benefited from the production of “Go Smile Outdoors”.Tourism businesses around Loch Lomond have benefited from the “4Bs” bus service.

�9www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Businesses in Bandeath Industrial Estate will be able to use the new community hub in Throsk.

Hotel developments feature

All new for iconic Hydro

The hotel sector in Stirling is a vital component of the tourism infrastructure. Ensuring that visitors to Stirling have a choice of

top quality accommodation options is essential if we are to continue to grow tourism locally. There have been a number of key

developments recently.

Adamo HotelsThe transformation of two hotels (formerly The Queens in Bridge of Allan and

Osta in Stirling) to an exciting new hotel group, Adamo Hotels, is now complete.

Both hotels are part of the developing Adamo Hotels brand, which will soon

include a further new property on King Street – situated in the very heart

of Stirling’s old town. This new property will feature superb boutique hotel

accommodation, conference space, restaurant, bar and its very own late night

venue – completion of this redevelopment project is expected in autumn 2010.

Stirling based Adamo Hotels offer a range of stylish accommodation, restaurants

offering locally sourced seasonal produce, private spaces for parties and events

and weekend late night venues.

www.adamohotels.com

The Dunblane Hydro, one of Scotland’s

most admired hotels has unveiled a new

name and a new look, following a multi-

million pound renovation.

To be known as Doubletree by Hilton

Dunblane Hydro, the hotel’s luxurious new

look combines contemporary style with

ageless elegance. A new restaurant, The

Kailyard by Nick Nairn is due to open in

November 2009 and is sure to add to the

overall ambience of this timeless classic.

200 beautifully appointed rooms

incorporate sumptuous furnishings,

stylish design and subtle lighting. In each,

the centrepiece is a welcoming “Sweet

Dreams” bed. A number of suites and

feature rooms are also available, offering

breathtaking views, superior toiletries and

welcome gifts.

The ultra chic Lounge Bar offers an array

of cocktails, fine wines and malt whiskies.

For a more sedate pace, the Stuart Lounge

offers oversized luxurious couches,

feature fireplace and occasional live

entertainment.

For the business market, the hotel

offers an extensive range of conference

Colessio - Stirling’s first 5 star boutique hotelPlanning permission has been granted for Colessio, Stirling’s first 5 star boutique hotel and

spa. Award-winning local entrepreneur Steven McLeod is planning to build the five-star

luxury boutique hotel and spa in one of the city’s historic buildings. The conversion of the

former Forth Valley NHS headquarters in Spittal Street into a world-class 40-bedroom hotel

with restaurant and spa will be a major asset to the tourism offering in Stirling.

Colessio will be a combination of executive rooms, suites and penthouses. It will also

feature Satsuma, a contemporary restaurant which will boast a “big name chef” at the

helm, a champagne and cocktail piano bar built in a glass atrium and an elegant ballroom

with capacity for around 180 guests for weddings and events.

Colessio is planned to open in Spring 2010 – for more information and updates please visit

www.colessio.com

rooms with break out areas and

syndicate rooms, all complete

with the latest audio-visual

equipment and presentation

aides. Everything from smaller

training days to conferences

with 600 delegates can be successfully managed.

Tricia Fitzsimons, General Manager commented:

“The transformation of the Hydro is truly remarkable

and we are all delighted with the positive feedback

and praise from both leisure and corporate clients.”

www.dunblanehydrohotel.com

�0 STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Economic factsPopulation and Households Stirling �001-�008 % Change �001 �00� �00� �004 �005 �006 �007 �008 Stirling Scotland

Total Population 86,200 86,150 86,370 86,370 86,930 87,810 88,190 88,350 2.5% 2.1%

Working Age Population 53,771 53,501 53,667 53,268 53,588 54,310 54,367 54,341 1.1% 2.8%

Total Number of Households 35,544 35,961 36,454 36,658 36,958 37,164 37,328 37,555 5.7% 6.2%

Source: General Register Office for Scotland

Employment RateFigure 2: Employment Rate (as % of Working Age Population)

Source: Annual Population Survey (Nomis)

76.0

75.0

74.0

Empl

oym

ent

rate

2005 2008

Growth in Number of Jobs �001 �00� �00� �004 �005 �006 �007 �001-�007 �001-�007 Change % Change

Stirling 42,100 41,300 40,900 42,800 45,600 46,500 47,900 5,800 14%

Scotland 2,299,800 2,279,500 2,307,000 2,340,000 2,398,800 2,377,200 2,407,700 107,900 5%

Source: Annual Business Inquiry (Nomis)

Enterprise �00� �00� �004 �005 �006 �007 �008 �00�-�008 �00�-�008 Change % Change

Stirling 449 534 460 452 474 480 351 -98 -21.8%

Scotland 18,518 21,468 20,808 21,383 23,468 25,041 20,028 1,510 8.2%

Source: The Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers

Business Survival RatesFigure 6: 3 Year Business Survival Rate of Newly Born Enterprises

Source: Business Demography (Office for National Statistics)

3 Ye

ar S

urvi

val R

ate

- %

2002 2004Year business started up

Figure 1: Population and Households

Figure 4: Jobs Growth

Figure 5: New Business Starts

Stirling

Scotland

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

Source: VAT Registrations and De-Registrations (Nomis)

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

No.

VAT

Reg

. bus

ines

s pe

r 10

,000

pop

ulat

ion

2000 2007

Stirling

Scotland

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

Stirling

Scotland4.54.03.53.02.52.01.51.00.50.0

Une

mpl

oym

ent

rate

Source: Claimant Count with Rates and Proportions (Nomis)

August 2004 August 2009

6665.5

6564.5

6463.5

6362.5

62

�1www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye STIRLING EYE Focus on the local economy

Active Businesses, Business Births and Business DeathsFigure 8: Businesses in 2007 – Percentages based on Stock of Active Businesses Stirling – Number Stirling - % Scotland - %

Business Births 395 11.9% 13.3%Business Deaths 250 7.5% 8.5%Stock of Active Businesses 3,315 - -

Source: Business Demography (Office for National Statistics)

QualificationsFigure 11: % of the Working Age Population Qualified to SVQ Level 4+ (or equivalent) and % with No Qualifications, 2008

Source: Annual Population Survey (Nomis)

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0% o

f w

orki

ng a

ge p

opul

atio

n

Stirling

SVQ Level 4+

No qualifications

Scotland

EarningsFigure 13: Average Gross Weekly Earnings of people working full time �00� �00� �004 �005 �006 �007 �008 �00�-�008 % Change

Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Residents – Stirling £425.9 £428.4 £419.7 £455.3 £472.1 £479.9 £493.2 15.8%Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Residents – Scotland £369.3 £381.8 £390.6 £409.8 £427.9 £440.9 £461.8 25.0%Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Workers – Stirling £376.4 £377.8 £390.1 £382.6 £419.3 £434.2 £452.8 20.3%Average Gross Weekly Earnings – Workers – Scotland £371.7 £381.3 £390.4 £408.6 £428.1 £441.5 £460.1 23.8%

Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Nomis)

Industry

Figure 9: Employment by Industrial Sector, Stirling, 2007

Source: Annual Business

Inquiry (Nomis)

Employment by Industrial Sector, %

Occupational DistributionFigure 10: Occupational Distribution, Stirling, 2008

Occupational Distribution of workers in Stirling, %

Source: Annual Population

Survey - Workplace Analysis

(Nomis)

Source: VAT Registrations and De-Registrations (Nomis)

Visitors to the Stirling AreaFigure 12: Visitors to Key Attractions in the Stirling Council Area

Visitors �007 �008

Argyll’s Lodging 50,573 28,470

Bannockburn Heritage Centre 61,410 40,925

Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park 433,070 412,589

Mugdock Country Park 559,695 622,375

National Wallace Monument 135,000 117,466

Old Town Jail 30,719 27,045

Stirling Castle 389,011 375,344

Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum 40,859 51,438

Source: Visit Scotland; Mugdock Country Park; Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park

Stirling Council Environment Services, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET phone: 0845 277 7000

email: info@stirling.gov.uk text: 0771 779 0001 web: stirling.gov.uk

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Service contactsBuilding Standards & Licensing, Stirling CouncilJoyce Wighton, Tel: 01786 442032, email: eoadmin@stirling.gov.uk

City Centre Management, Stirling CouncilAndy Kennedy, Tel: 01786 442534, email: kennedya2@stirling.gov.uk

Culture and Adult Learning, Stirling CouncilLynne Gibbons, Tel: 01786 432360, email: gibbonsla@stirling.gov.uk

Economic Development & Tourism, Stirling CouncilTel: 01786 442467, email: business@stirling.gov.uk

Employability Service, Stirling CouncilGordon Wright, Tel: 01786 442866, email: wrightg@stirling.gov.uk

Environmental Health & Trading Standards, Stirling CouncilLeslie Fisher, Tel: 01786 432180, email: eoadmin@stirling.gov.uk

Planning, Stirling CouncilPeter Morgan, Tel: 01786 442914, email: morganp@stirling.gov.uk

Rates Team, Stirling CouncilAlison McLean, Tel: 01786 443236, email: rates@stirling.gov.uk

Waste Services, Stirling CouncilDavid Hopper, Tel: 01786 443038, email hopperd@stirling.gov.uk

Forthcoming events/trainingFree Business Gateway training eventsOctober 200929th evening – Stirling – Advertising and Promotion.

November 2009

4th evening – Alloa – Women Into Business (Presenting &

Selling).

12th morning – Alloa – Advertising and Promotion.

17th evening – Falkirk – Improve Your Search Engine Ranking.

26th evening – Falkirk – Mastering Selling Part 1.

30th evening – Falkirk – Mastering Selling Part 2.

30th evening – Stirling – Book Keeping – 1.

December 2009 1st evening – Stirling – Book Keeping – 2.

2nd morning – Stirling – Improve Your Search Engine Ranking.

2nd morning – Alloa – Get Real Results From Your Website.

2nd evening – Stirling – Women Into Business (Business

Planning).

9th afternoon – Alloa – Marketing Your Business.

January 201013th morning – Stirling – Trading Online.

19th all day – Alloa – Book Keeping 1 & 2.

28th evening – Falkirk – Customer Care.

To book your free place call 0845 609 6611 or check www.bgateway.com for up-to-date listings.

2009 Autumn Legal Workshop Series

McClure Naismith LLP in association with Stirling University Innovation

Park Ltd are running a number of free legal workshops for local

businesses:

l Tuesday 27th October – morning – Strategic partnering: Working

with agents and distributors.

l Tuesday 17th November – morning – Employee or not

employee?

l Tuesday 8th December – morning – Managing suppliers and

customers in a downturn.

To find out more and register, call 01786 448��� or visit

www.suip.co.uk

Each event will begin at 9.00am with coffee, registration and a

networking opportunity, with the workshop beginning at 9.30am.

The day will conclude at 12.15pm with a light buffet

lunch and a further opportunity to network.

At the end of each event, representatives

from McClure Naismith and the Innovation

Park will be available for 1:1 advisory

sessions between 1.00pm and 2.30pm.

Useful web linksBusiness Gateway – www.bgateway.com

Forth Valley College - www.forthvalley.ac.uk

Forth Valley Construction Forum - www.forthconstruction.co.uk

Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER – www.fvl.org.uk

Funding Search Facility – www.stirling.gov.uk/funding

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park - www.lochlomond-trossachs.org

Lottery Fund – www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland

Property Search Facility – www.stirling.gov.uk/property

Raploch Urban Regeneration Company – www.raploch.com

Scottish Chambers of Commerce – www.scottishchambers.org.uk

Scottish Enterprise – www.scottish-enterprise.co.uk

Scottish Government – www.scotland.gov.uk

Scottish Parliament – www.scottish.parliament.uk

Stirling Business Directory – www.stirling.gov.uk/directory

Stirling Business Panel – www.stirling.gov.uk/businesspanel

Stirling Council Business Pages – www.stirling.gov.uk/business

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) – www.stirling-enterprise.co.uk

Stirling Eye – www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingeye

Stirling University Innovation Park – www.suip.co.uk

Trossachs Rural Mentoring Scheme – www.ruralmentoring.co.uk

University of Stirling – www.stir.ac.uk

VisitScotland – www.visitscotland.org

VisitStirling – www.visitstirling.org

Connect Scotland Investment ConferenceThe Connect Scotland Investment Conference is being held in Edinburgh on 5th November. This chargeable event promises to offer up to £45 million of funding to cutting edge technology businesses. Businesses with compelling investment propositions who are seeking growth finance are invited to come forward and pitch for between £500,000 to £3 million funding from investors at this one day event. For more information visitwww.connectscotland.co.uk