Global business services specialist, Peninsula has taken the 8,324 sq ft fourth floor of 180 West George Street.
180 West George Street is a stunning, newly refurbished, Grade A office building located in the heart of Glasgow’s Central Business District that is already home to high profile occupiers including Standard Life, PageGroup and Arcadis.
Experts in employment law, HR & health and safety services, Peninsula will now benefit from high specification office space suitable for their clients’ increasing demands in Glasgow.
Picton, owner of 180 West George Street, recently undertook a full refurbishment of the building, working with the award-winning architectural practice Michael Laird. The transformed office space features a prominent triple height atrium and stunning reception area with unique light sculptures.
Tim Hamlin, asset manager at Picton, commented on the deal: “We’re delighted to welcome Peninsula as our next occupier at 180 West George Street and look forward to supporting them as they grow their operations in Glasgow.”
Speaking about the selection of 180 W est George Street, Peter Done, Managing Director and founder of Peninsula said: “Glasgow is a vibrant city with a huge amount of potential for business, so we are committed to building our presence in the city and really pleased to start the next phase of growth in our new office.
“We were attracted to this space because of the exceptional work environment it provides. Our employees will also enjoy the amenities the area delivers, with a host of restaurants and shops within a few minutes’ walk, and its proximity to great transport links.”
Phil Reid of Phil Reid Associates added: “With the current severe shortage of high-quality modern office space in Glasgow, primarily due to a lack of new build space, the occupational demand continues to be met through Grade A refurbishments.
“Thanks to the comprehensive transformation carried out by Picton, 180 West George Street has become one of Glasgow’s most sought after business addresses.”
The 7,971 sq ft first floor and the 7,844 sq ft third floor at 180 West George are currently available.
Phil Reid Associates and Ryden represented Picton in this transaction, with Cushman and Wakefield acting for Peninsula.
ScotRail is adding more seats on trains to and from Edinburgh this weekend as Scotland play their final match in the Autumn Tests.
Scotland will play Argentina at the BT Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday 24 November at 2.30pm, and extra carriages are being added to trains between Edinburgh and the Borders, Fife, Glasgow, Dundee, Dunblane and Aberdeen.
Fans heading to the game are advised to allow more time for travel, as queuing systems will be in place at Glasgow Queen Street before kick-off and at Haymarket after the final whistle.
ScotRail will have extra staff on hand to help customers and, as with most large events, alcohol bans will be in force.
ScotRail Head of Customer Operations Phil Campbell said:
“We’re really looking forward to helping fans travel to Murrayfield to see if Scotland can sign off on the Autumn Tests with a win.
“To make the day run smoothly we’ll be adding extra carriages, but trains will still be very busy so customers should plan ahead.
“Allow extra time for travel and buy your tickets in advance on our website or mobile app.”
A peaceful development combining scenic views and easy access to Edinburgh’s city centre, South Gilmerton Brae is a fantastic place to call home. The Miller Homes development, off Gilmerton Station Road, is ideal for couples, young professionals and larger families, and with a number of incentives available there’s no better time to consider a move to this desirable area.
In a prime position for travelling into the Capital and close to a number of cultural attractions and fantastic local amenities, the development is an exceptional base for commuters and families looking to enjoy life in the east of Scotland. Within reach of the picturesque Pentland Hills and just a five-minute drive from the City Bypass, the development boasts both rural living and convenience.
The Mitford is a popular housetype in the Miller Homes portfolio and is one of the two showhomes available to view at South Gilmerton Brae. Offering the perfect balance of practicality and style, the sophisticated flow of the home has been thoughtfully designed to maximise space and natural light throughout, with open plan living also adding to the bright and airy interior.
Positioned at the rear of the home, the open plan kitchen and dining room creates a social hub, and is a great place to cook, dine and entertain. An adjoining laundry room is conveniently placed next to the kitchen to keep everyday clutter at bay, with the study at the front of the home providing extra storage space. Once more adding natural light to the home, the lounge features a striking bay window, and is perfectly sized for relaxing with the family.
A central landing leads to four bedrooms upstairs, including a master bedroom, which are positioned in all four corners of the home to maximise space and add privacy. Each amply sized, the bedrooms allow buyers to personalise the home to suit their needs, with the rooms easily converted into a nursery, playroom or handy home office. A peaceful haven, the elegant master bedroom is placed at the front of the home, and comes complete with contemporary ensuite and fitted wardrobes. There is also a shared family bathroom with separate bath and shower, ensuring morning routines run without a hitch.
For a closer look at the Mitford, Miller Homes has created a guided video tour of the showhome, which is available to view here.
The Mitford at Plot 19 is priced at £329,995 and comes with Part Exchange and a contribution towards LBTT. For buyers who reserve their new home this year (until 31 December), with a move in date before 31 March 2019, Miller Homes is offering £2,000 towards options – perfect for personalising your dream home.
For more information, visit South Gilmerton Brae Thursday to Monday from 10.30am-5.30pm, call 03334 145 645 to speak to a Development Sales Manager or visit www.millerhomes.co.uk.
Edinburgh Napier and Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland event partners at Scottish Mountain Bike Conference 2018
The issues and opportunities surrounding the mountain bike sector in Scotland will fall under the spotlight this week (22-24 November) at a leading conference in Aviemore.
The Scottish Mountain Bike Conference 2018 – Future Proofing the Trail Ahead, organised by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS), will be hosted at the MacDonald Hotel in Aviemore and will see delegates from across the country come together to discuss the future of the sport within Scotland.
As in previous years, Edinburgh Napier University and the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland (MTBCOS) will have a strong presence throughout the three-day event, with a number of speakers taking part. Both organisations are also key partners of the conference.
Topics of discussion will vary from planning for the future of mountain biking tourism and product development, to the rise of e-bikes, growing participation in mountain biking alongside maintaining and enhancing Scotland’s world-class mountain bike trail network.
An impressive array of speakers will take part in the event, with attendees hearing from Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Government, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Julie Harrington, CEO of British Cycling and Craig Burn, CEO of Scottish Cycling among others.
Edinburgh Napier’s Professor Geraint Florida James is the lead academic of MTBCOS and will speak at the event, alongside hosting a session with the University’s Dr Tony Westbury, Dr Debbie Palmer, Dr Lesley Ingram and PhD student Lewis Kirkwood who will share more on their latest research – from mental health and injuries at major events to enduro athlete preparations.
Edinburgh Napier has strong links with the cycling industry through collaborations with product companies, supporting elite athletes and organising the inaugural World Science in Cycling congress.
In his talk, Geraint will discuss how a vision for future investment in an Innovation Hub will support growth in the Scottish economy by providing a gateway to Scotland’s academic research base and be a focal point to attract international mountain bike businesses.
The conference will conclude with the third annual Scottish Mountain Bike Awards, which will see prizes awarded to individuals, organisations and businesses currently making waves within the cycling sector here in Scotland – and further afield. A highlight of the awards evening will be the announcement of the winners of the primary and secondary schools competition 2018, sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University, Frog Bikes and Trek Bikes.
Prof Florida-James said: “The cycling industry is a dynamic sector with scope for research and innovation in product development, engineering, textiles, sports science and many other disciplines. The University and MTBCOS are delighted to be supporting the conference, which will bring together an international audience of industry experts to Scotland.”
The Scottish Mountain Biking Conference 2018 is organised by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS), with support from Cairngorms National Park Authority, Scottish Government, Edinburgh Napier Univeristy, Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Cairngorms Business Partnership.
The biennial conference won the prestigious ‘Conference of the Year’ award at the Scottish Event Awards in 2017. The 2017 conference attracted 257 delegates from 13 different countries.
Tickets for the event are available here.
Buying your next home can be a stressful time but first of all, you need to make sure that you have found the right property. A viewing appointment gives you the opportunity to see the property in more detail and it’s vital that you use this time wisely.
Five points to consider when viewing a property:
1. Don’t just focus on the house.
Have a look at the surrounding neighbourhood and see if there is anything that would put you off living there. Is there a noisy pub nearby? Does the area become congested at specific times due to sports grounds or churches in the immediate vicinity?
2. When inside the property, make sure you have a good look around.
Check the size of the under stair cupboard or the depth of the fitted wardrobes. Make sure that there is ample storage for your needs.
3. Check the basics
Do the windows and doors open and close properly? Is there a mobile phone reception? What is the Wi-Fi like in the area?
4. Revisit the property at different times of the day.
It may be a quiet street at 10am on a Monday but what is it like in the evenings or at the weekend when most of the residents are at home?
5. Make sure that the property meets your lifestyle.
How long will the daily commute to work take? Are there shops nearby? If you have children, how far away are the schools and what is their reputation? Are there good public transport links?
All of these points are vital to check when buying your next property. As the old saying goes, location really is key. For more information or to book your free property valuation, please speak to a member of the Blackadders Property Team.
Euan Stewart, Property Manager
Estate Agency
Blackadders LLP
The University of Edinburgh has made a strategic commitment to embrace the circular economy alongside its goal to become zero carbon by 2040.
With a staff and student community of over 50,000, a turnover of nearly £1bn and extensive property, investments and purchasing, the University is well-placed to use its scale and influence to drive innovation in the circular economy.
Circular economy thinking and practice is already happening at the University, across research and enterprise, learning and teaching and operations (in areas such as procurement, waste management and estates development).
For example, Kate Fitzpatrick, Waste Manager at the University of Edinburgh said: “The University has a strategic commitment to become a zero waste university by embedding circular economy thinking across all of its operations. A good example of this is its partnership with Revive Eco Ltd. Revive Eco process all the waste coffee grounds from the University’s cafes to produce a soil conditioner which the university’s Landscaping Division purchase as an alternative to fertiliser.”
The University is pleased to be working with Revive Eco as a circular business, which has recently received confirmation of £234,358 funding from Zero Waste Scotland for its process to use coffee grounds to create valuable bio-oils with applications across several sectors.
The University’s research plays a critical role in developing circular economy thinking and practice across business sectors. For example, Professor Jason Love in the School of Chemistry works on a process to recover previous metals from electronic waste (otherwise known as ‘urban mining’). The University is also home to the UK Biochar Research Centre, a world-leading centre for research into the production of ‘biochar’ – a charcoal-based soil conditioner with significant environmental benefits.
The University also supports circular and low carbon innovation at its Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI). ECCI is the official Scottish partner of Climate-KIC, Europe’s largest climate innovation initiative that supports low carbon start-ups. In the last few years several businesses supported by Climate-KIC have been circular. For example:
-IntelliDigest turns food waste into energy;
-Beech Product Solutions provides an alternative to plastic food packaging with a biodegradable material made from food waste; and
-ApparelXchange, a Glasgow-based social enterprise, specialises in reusing school uniforms to ensure more children have access to quality clothing.
Kate added: “The University established the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability in 2014 to ensure we operate in a socially responsible and sustainable way. It works closely with academic schools and other business units – such as the Waste Office in Estates Operations – to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by the circular economy and to identify and test solutions on campus.
This collaborative approach naturally involves lots of different parts of the organisation working together, as well as partnerships with suppliers, charities, social enterprises and other local community partners. There is also a network of almost 200 staff volunteers who act as Waste Coordinators to help improve resource efficiency in their area of work.
We recognise that working in partnership with others is key. We are looking to identify further opportunities to work with businesses, charities, social enterprises and community groups who have an interest in being part of city-wide discussions and action on the circular economy.”
The University now plans to take circular economy thinking and practice on campus to the next level. This will involve taking a whole-institution approach to embedding circular economy further across all spheres of practice and looking for partnership opportunities to stimulate further innovation and exchange of circular ideas, including exploring the potential for a specialist Circular Economy Knowledge Hub and business incubation centre.
As Kate explains: “Every sector and every business has a place in a circular economy. Doing so often requires new ways of working. Organisations need to work together to identify opportunities and figure out how to deliver them – universities play a key role in this area.”
Circular Edinburgh is a joint initiative delivered by Zero Waste Scotland and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce supported by funding from both the Scottish Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the £73million Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme. Circular Edinburgh delivers a programme of knowledge sharing events, workshops and roundtable discussions to promote the “Circular Economy” to local businesses.
For further information please visit https://www.edinburghchamber.co.uk/circular-edinburgh/ or contact Mayan Grace or Aileen Boyle on 0131 221 2999 (option 5) or email circulareconomy@edinburghchamber.co.uk
Thomson Gray, an independent property construction consultancy with offices across Scotland, has appointed leading Chartered Accountants & Tax Advisors, Douglas Home & Company to fulfil their financial business needs.
With a range of public and private sector clients, from the NHS to Cala Homes, Thomson Gray has offices operating in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Melrose and Inverness. They recruited Douglas Home & Company because of their proactive business and tax advisory services which the company plans to continue to utilise as it continues to grow its business.
Stuart Gray, Managing Director of Thomson Gray, commented:
“We are really enjoying working with the team at Douglas Home & Company. Their professionalism and proactive approach to providing a wide range of financial services has already enabled us to work more efficiently streamlining some of our internal processes. Their business ideas and advice has been excellent too. You don’t expect accountants to be so lateral in their approach, so we have welcomed their expertise on a business as well as financial level.”
Douglas Home & Company has trusted advisors providing expert advice and financial leadership to individuals and businesses of all sizes from their offices in Kelso, Melrose, Haddington, Alnwick, Selkirk and Hawick. The firm prides itself on being a “director-led” organisation where its people are its greatest assets and its services go beyond traditional accounting and tax returns.
Sheryl Macaulay, a Director and tax expert with the financial firm, has been working closely with the team at Thomson Gray providing advice and guidance as well as the more standard accounting services. Sheryl said:
“As business and tax advisors, it is very important to us to be able to provide a bespoke service for our clients depending on what advice or guidance they need and that is what we have looked to do with Thomson Gray. I am looking forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”
Alan Drummond, Manager Director of Douglas Home & Company, added:
“At Douglas Home & Company our people are our greatest asset so we go much further than just an accountancy firm, providing a wide range of services from tax planning to business development. We are delighted to be working with Thomson Gray and supporting them in their growth journey.”
To find out more about Douglas Home & Company visit www.douglashomeandco.co.uk
For more information about Thomson Gray visit www.thomsongray.com
Figure jumps to nearly 80% when a TVL ring-fenced for infrastructure investment is proposed, finds Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce
The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce today announced its findings of a recent survey of members regarding the potential introduction of a Transient Visitor Levy (TVL) in Edinburgh.
The survey yielded views from 200 businesses and organisations from across the city, from a range of industries including hospitality, financial services, creative industries and transport.
The research found that:
- -69% of businesses would support the introduction of a TVL
- -79% would support a TVL if the funds were ring-fenced for infrastructure investment in Edinburgh
- -Support varied between industries, from 50% in the hospitality sector to 81% of financial services companies and 93% of third sector organisations
- -The form of levy most favoured was a ‘per person, per night’ charge – as used in many European countries including Spain, Austria, Croatia, France and Bulgaria
- -The vast majority of respondents – 87% – would like the option to review the TVL after a set period of time
Edinburgh attracts more than 4 million visitors each year, who contribute over £1.4 billion to the local economy[1]. This number is set to grow year on year, generating an additional £485 million for the city by 2020[2]. Yet, with the increasing volume in visitors, there comes a greater requirement for the city to invest in public services and infrastructure.
The idea of a TVL in Edinburgh has been debated at a local and national level for over a decade. In 2017, the City of Edinburgh Council agreed to continue to make a case to the Scottish Government for the introduction of a TVL, and earlier this year the Scottish Government announced a national consultation on the matter.
Commenting, Liz McAreavey, CEO of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said:
“The potential introduction of a Transient Visitor Levy in Edinburgh is one of the most significant issues being discussed in our city and it is only right that business has its say. After an extensive consultation with our members, we have found broad support for the principle of a levy, which increases further if funds were dedicated to improving the city’s infrastructure.
“We look forward to seeing the City of Edinburgh Council’s proposals for the use of funds raised by a TVL and we remain committed to improving the environment for the businesses that serve as the backbone of our local economy. We will be submitting to the Scottish Government’s consultation, articulating our own position and that of Edinburgh’s business community, in due course.”
[1] http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/55967/item_91_-_tourism_in_edinburgh
[2] http://www.etag.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Ed2020-Review-Main-Report-Final-260916.pdf
Edinburgh as the capital City could be at the heart of an estimated £1bn boom for circular economy businesses in Scotland, the First Minister will announced at major international conference which took place in Glasgow in October.
The potential value to the local economy for Edinburgh is set out in a report commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland which highlights the economic opportunities unique to Scotland’s capital, including proposals to maximise the circular opportunities in Edinburgh’s huge festivals and hospitality market, and the Facilities Management sector.
This report was produced with the assistance of the Edinburgh Chamber of commerce and written by an independent consultant Jacobs. We launched Circular Edinburgh in May and since then have already engaged with over 50 businesses and to help them realise the opportunities. Read the full report here – ZWS CE Opportunities Edinburgh (final) (002)
Scotland’s most profitable family-owned companies have been revealed in a major new report highlighting the impact of family businesses on the economy.
The latest research by Family Business United Scotland and sponsored by Edinburgh’s Carbon Financial shows that the top 100 firms in Scotland collectively generate a combined turnover of £17.2 billion, post £1.2 billion profits and support more than 111,000 jobs.
Paul Andrews, founder of Family Business United, said: “Family firms are really the engine room of the Scottish economy and they provide jobs, revenues and support communities throughout Scotland.
“This report clearly quantifies the importance and diversity of a sector that deserves more support to ensure that these businesses continue for generations to come.
“Their contribution in terms of wealth, incomes and job creation can easily be quantified but in addition, the support that these businesses provide to the communities in which they operate should also not be under-estimated either.”
All of the businesses listed in the Top 100 generate turnover in excess of £25 million which makes them significant businesses, and with Arnold Clark reporting turnover of £3.7 billion the scale of some of these firms can be quantified instantly.
Collectively, the Top 100 family firms in Scotland generate over £17 billion annually, a major slice of national GDP and within this highly successful group of businesses there are over 111,000 employees.
The Top 10 Family Firms In Scotland *
1. William Grant & Sons Holdings Limited
2. Arnold Clark Automobiles
3. The Edinburgh Woollen Mill
4. D.C. Thomson & Company Limited
5. James Jones & Sons Limited
6. Lunar Fishing Company
7. Park’s of Hamilton
8. Balmoral Group
9. R.J Mcleod (Contractors) Limited
10.GAP Holdings Limited
*Based on businesses with a turnover in excess of £25 million per their last set of filed accounts at Companies House, ranked in terms of Profit Before Tax
Scotland’s most profitable family firm is William Grant & Sons, the whisky distiller that was founded back in 1887. It generated a pre-tax profit of £260 million in its last financial year, generated turnover in excess of £1 billion and employed 2,100 staff.
Scotland’s largest family business by turnover, and second most profitable was Arnold Clark, the motor retailer. The business was founded in 1954 by the late Sir Arnold Clark. Turnover in the latest filed accounts was ££3.7 billion generating a profit before tax of £125 million and as business they employ nearly 11,000 people.
The mix of businesses is also of interest as it combines a mix of the traditional industries such as timber and whisky with newer sectors involving technology, pharmaceuticals and renewable energies.
Mark Christie, partner at Carbon Financial’s Edinburgh office, said: “Family businesses are incredible, full of pride, passion and integrity and have a story to tell. Each and every family firm in Scotland has a narrative that helps define who they are.
“Furthermore, family businesses across Scotland deserve more support and to be recognised for what they do. In many cases they take a long term view, investing for the future, and committing to their business in the communities in which they operate so successfully and their contribution needs to be more widely appreciated and understood.”
