Investing in East Ayrshire

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1 Investing in East Ayrshire 1

3 Welcome to East Ayrshire In the heart of South West Scotland s scenic landscape, East Ayrshire is a great place to live, work and visit. We enjoy an excellent quality of life with a growing economy, a strong sense of community, good educational opportunities and a choice of modern and traditional housing to meet all needs and budgets. Our citizens also enjoy benefit from great public health care and fast, efficient transport and communications links. East Ayrshire boasts the type of scenery often associated with Scotland a fertile rural landscape dotted with historic buildings, parkland golf courses, glens and rivers popular with fishermen, and rugged hilly terrain popular with walkers and cyclists. Our 120,000 residents live in a mix of urban and rural communities. Our principal towns are Kilmarnock, in the north of the area and Cumnock, to the south. These are complemented by a network of smaller towns and villages. The Doon Valley and Cumnock area has achieved UNESCO Biosphere Status, and Craigengillan Estate, Dalmellington, nestling in the hills overlooking the Southern Uplands, is part of a world renowned Dark Sky Park with an internationally recognised observatory. With a land mass of 127,000 hectares, East Ayrshire lies south of Glasgow. Travel times from Kilmarnock to Glasgow and Edinburgh are 20 and 55 minutes respectively. Cumnock is also within easy reach of Glasgow and sits on a direct route to the North of England, which can be reached within 90 minutes. We have two international airports, Prestwick and Glasgow, within a 30 minute drive. Troon and Ayr ferry and container ports are within 10 miles. Regular trains run to Glasgow and England and our extensive road network further enhances our accessibility. Our good connections extend to internet capability too - broadband access will shortly cover 98% of our area. 3 3

4 James Boswell Bill Shankly James McMillan Robert Burns Sir Tom Hunter John Robert Boyd Orr Alexander Fleming 4

5 Our history and our people History We are proud of our history as a place of industry and innovation. East Ayrshire started to grow in the 7th century when, according to legend, St Marnoc founded a church at a ford on the main route between South West Scotland and Glasgow. This became Kilmarnock. Its central location and easy links to other areas meant it developed into an important trading centre. People East Ayrshire was home to Alexander Fleming who discovered penicillin, scientist and teacher John Robert Boyd Orr; Samuel Johnson s biographer James Boswell and the celebrated poet Robert Burns, all of whom excelled in their area of expertise and whose names remain forever associated with Scotland. More recently our famous faces include entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter, composer James McMillan, football legend Bill Shankly and rock band Biffy Clyro. Bonnet making, tanning, weaving and shoe making all burgeoned during the 16th century. By 1786 when Robert Burns penned Auld Lang Syne and published his first Kilmarnock Edition book of poems, the town and its neighbours had formed a thriving industrial hub with trading links far beyond Scotland. 5 With the industrial revolution in the 19th century came the establishment of new businesses including mining, engineering and steam train manufacturing and the population of the area continued to grow. At that time too, Kilmarnock was gaining an international reputation thanks to local grocer, Johnnie Walker, who started a whisky blending and bottling plant which grew into the most popular whisky brand in the world. 5

6 6 Investing in East Ayrshire Dumfries House, Cumnock 6

7 Culture East Ayrshire has much to offer in terms of culture and leisure. Dumfries House, near Cumnock, was built by the Adam Brothers between 1745 and 1759 and was saved for the nation by HRH The Prince Charles in It is a top visitor destination with a regular programme of tours, lectures and events centred around its high quality facilities, and renowned collection of Chippendale furniture and lovingly restored, extensive grounds. Outbuildings have been renovated to offer centres of excellence in hospitality, engineering and agricultural practice. The Palace Theatre and Grand Hall complex is Ayrshire s leading entertainment venue, offering an extensive programme of theatrical and musical productions, exhibitions and trade fairs. Regular events and festivals, such as the Cumnock Highland Games, The Cumnock Tryst, Darvel Music Festival and the Boswell Book Festival enrich local cultural life. Kilmarnock s medieval Dean Castle is set within 195 hectares of stunning woodland and manicured gardens. Its extensive collections of weapons, armoury and musical instruments attracts 1 million visitors a year. 7 The Dick Institute gallery and museum is home to unique arts and natural history collections, complemented by a dynamic exhibitions programme. Permanent features include some rare works by the Glasgow Boys, a significant early collection by Alexander Walker (direct descendant of Johnnie Walker) and contemporary local artist Christine Borland. The Burns Monument Centre is a state of the art family history research facility, with W.G. Stevenson s 19th Century statue of Robert Burns as its centrepiece. It attracts thousands of visitors from around the globe keen to trace their roots and see the world s first digital version of Robert Burns Kilmarnock Edition poetry collection. Dean Castle, Kilmarnock Dick Institute, Kilmarnock 7

8 Ayrshire Athletics Arena Investing in East Ayrshire 8

9 Leisure East Ayrshire supports many sporting interests and hobbies. Facilities include swimming pools, ice rinks, rugby and football pitches, boxing clubs and a 3 million Snow and Sports Complex. Our many superb golf courses include Rowallan Castle Golf Course, designed by leading Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie. Morris Equestrian Centre, on the outskirts of Kilmarnock, is a purpose built equestrian competition venue centre with superb indoor and outdoor riding and training facilities. It hosts regular national and international events. The Ayrshire Athletics Arena, a premier athletics and sports training facility, was host to both the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay and the 2014 Commonwealth Games Queen s Baton Relay. The Scottish athletics team used it as their training base during the Commonwealth Games. The arena lies adjacent to other sports facilities including rugby, cricket, judo, gymnastics clubs and football pitches. 9 Walking, mountain and road biking, hillwalking, loch and river fishing, bird watching, kayaking and mud running are also popular activities in our rural areas. 9

11 Education Throughout their educational careers our young people have access to an excellent education system meeting the high standards set by the Scottish Government. Our education and training providers are committed to maximising choices and opportunities for our residents to develop their full potential. Such commitment means we benefit from a strong, well educated and adaptable labour pool. In recent years, we have invested more than 65 million to create nine new state of the art schools and academies and this investment programme continues with a new campus facility incorporating three primary schools being developed in Cumnock and new buildings under construction in the smaller communities of Muirkirk, Dalmellington and Galston. 11 In Kilmarnock work is starting on another brand new campus which will incorporate education for pupils from pre-school to 18 years on a single site. We run an extensive schools enterprise programme building links between young people and our business leaders, ensuring that all our young people acquire the right skills and entrepreneurial mindset for work in the 21st century. 11

13 Our business base We are home to around 3000 businesses of various sizes, in many sectors which employ around 44,000 people. Our accessibility, by road, rail, sea and air makes East Ayrshire an attractive business location. As a local authority we take a proactive approach to engaging with and supporting our local businesses. In addition to our robust infrastructure, businesses and their employees in East Ayrshire can expect to enjoy an excellent quality of life, a strong sense of community, good educational opportunities and attractive, affordable housing stock. For these reasons many traditional and modern enterprises, from internationally owned companies to small family enterprises dealing with food and drink, textiles, engineering, renewables and niche industries such as bagpipe and curling stone manufacturers, have chosen to make East Ayrshire their home

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15 Food and drink We have a modern and dynamic food and drink sector using 21st century technology to produce high quality products. Our producers include Dunlop Dairy, an award winning cheese producer, Ayrshire Glen Ice Cream, Caledonia Bottlers, The Lost Distillery Company, Braehead Foods (processors of game and beef and a producer of charcuterie), Adelie Foods (an international food to go business) and Sorn Spring Water Ltd. Morrison s Supermarkets Ltd opened the first Morrison s farm in Scotland in Cumnock. The enterprise is a model farm, an exemplar for best practice in animal welfare and agricultural innovation which produces and markets its own label products. Entrepreneurial chefs have played a huge part in developing a sound appreciation of the quality of our local produce with a number of award winning hotels and restaurants. Both the Cook School Scotland in Kilmarnock and the Centre for Excellence in Hospitality at Dumfries House have raised standards amongst restaurateurs across the area. 15 Commercially, we are developing brand recognition under the Taste Ayrshire banner working in a public private partnership committed to growing the sector, strengthening the supply chain, supporting innovation and developing our skills base. 15

17 Textiles Our world renowned textiles companies manufacture fabric linings for aircraft, bullet proof material for combat vests and medical solutions such as heart valves, alongside more traditional textile products such as lace and knitwear. MYB Textiles is the only remaining manufacturer of madras lace in the UK. The company uses the original looms installed in the factory in the early 20th century combined with modern technology which enable it to supply bespoke pieces to fashion houses, including Ralph Lauren, and produce specialist work for film companies and restoration projects. Lochaven International, one of our knitwear companies, produces the knitwear for the Harry Potter franchise and supplies garments for fashion houses Prada and Burberry among other international clients. 17 Mackies and Balmoral Knitwear produce high quality jumpers, scarves and bonnets for a number of national retailers. In the Irvine Valley, E and M Manufacturing Ltd, a Swiss company, makes thousands of Yashmaghs each year for the designer market in the Middle East and Lanfine Ltd produces homeware such as bedding and curtains for John Lewis and Laura Ashley. 17

19 Engineering East Ayrshire has a proud tradition of producing world class engineers. As heavy engineering has declined, a new generation of companies has grown in its place, taking advantage of the local, highly skilled engineering talent to produce goods and services which are subject to worldwide demand. The sector comprises a mix of small, family run businesses and international conglomerates each servicing a key area of expertise, supporting local employment with ambitions to grow. Mahle Engineering designs and manufactures bearings and brushings for Formula One vehicles, while TPS Weldtech Ltd provides welding solutions to the oil and gas and construction industries across the USA and around the globe. 19 Wabtec and Brodie Engineering refurbish a significant percentage of all railway rolling stock in the UK from their premises in Kilmarnock, while in Cumnock, Emergency One is a leading manufacturers of fire engines. Hyspec Engineering Ltd produces precision engineering solutions to the oil and gas industry both home and abroad, while Innovative Utilities Systems Ltd refurbishes and lays new water mains systems across the UK. Teal Engineering Ltd near Mauchline manufactures kayaks, and Dustacco Ltd, in the Irvine Valley, is a leading UK manufacturer of dust extraction systems. 19

21 Niche industries We are an established base for many innovative specialist companies. Companies such as Giglets, creators and publishers of digital education materials for the development of reading and literacy skills. Musicians from Pipe Bands throughout the world flock to McCallums Bagpipes, whose exquisite highland and lowland pipes, kilts and accessories, manufactured in Kilmarnock, are exported all over the globe. Staircases and building fitments, manufactured in glass and metal by Annandale Design in Kilmarnock, grace some of the finest homes in the Middle East as well as shops such as Harrods flagship London store. 21 Ailsa Craig granite curling stones, in demand from top flight competitors worldwide, are made exclusively by Kays of Mauchline, official supplier to the World Curling Federation. 21

22 Whitelee Windfarm Investing in East Ayrshire 22

23 Renewables Our rolling countryside offers endless scope for renewable technology developments. With well established wind turbine, biodiesel and other renewables companies, and with successful windfarms such as Whitelee (Europe s largest on shore windfarm) we are making a considerable contribution to Scotland s energy production. Our climate, long summer daylight hours and west coast location provide further potential for the development of solar, and fuel crop and biofuel technology. Our educational establishments are producing new generations of graduates in environmental science, engineering and sustainability and our economic partners are accessing government funding for energy efficiency efficient? enterprise so we can lead the way in making renewables work for everyone s future. Bio bus 23 23

24 Ness Glen Investing in East Ayrshire 24

25 Our vision for East Ayrshire East Ayrshire is a thriving area with a strong local economy delivering higher levels of sustainable growth and employment for the benefit of existing and future residents. Our vision is to: grow our local economy further by building on our strong foundations harness the enthusiasm and work ethic of our communities and ensure that our labour pool contributes to and benefits from economic growth position East Ayrshire as one of the best places to do business in Scotland. 25 We have a strong collaborative approach to business support, combining forces with the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Entrepreneurial Spark, the Prince s Trust, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce to deliver a shared vision of prosperity and success in business throughout the area. We have earmarked key strategic sites both in Kilmarnock and Cumnock which support investment aspirations and we can offer incubation space, managed office space and a range of industrial and commercial properties for businesses to develop and expand. 25

26 Loch Doon Investing in East Ayrshire 26

27 Our commitment to you We offer a comprehensive tailored package of support to make your investment in East Ayrshire successful. Our Economic Development services include: business advice and guidance grant and loan packages premises and land sourcing recruitment and training support business networking events We can also provide links to colleagues in other Council services including Planning, Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Roads and Procurement. 27 If you share our vision and want an excellent place in which to work, live and invest enjoying superb surroundings with great infrastructure, good connectivity, business and training support and an enthusiastic and flexible workforce - then we want to hear from you. Contact Economic Development Manager, East Ayrshire Council [email protected] tel: Thank you for your interest in East Ayrshire. We look forward to welcoming you soon. Please contact us for a translation of this publication into the language of your choice 27

28 Glen Afton Investing in East Ayrshire 28