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Latest News
Clackmannanshire Business - Showcase Your Business Event - Thursday 6th June 2013
Clackmannanshire Business would like to invite you to take the opportunity to showcase your business for free, giving you the chance to promote yourself and your business, and enjoy networking in a relaxed and informal manner. This may generate new business leads, and allow you to meet with key business people. For further information on this event, please click on the following link: Clackmannanshire Business Event
Clacksfirst BID Receives a Resounding YES Vote at Renewal Ballot!
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Clacksfirst Seeks Funding to Enhance BID Area - April 2013
Clacksfirst BID continues its efforts to seek funding to enhance the industrial estates and business parks within the BID area. With the help of a grant from Clackmannanshire & Stirling Enterprise Trust we were able to install these litter/recycling bins in one of our estates. Clackmannanshire Council carried out the install and will do all uplifts. Another great example of partnership working at its best!
Clacksfirst Needs Your YES Vote! - March 2013
Clacksfirst BID Skips in to Clear Up Alva Industrial Estate - March 2013
Clacksfirst Business Improvement District (BID) took decisive action when it became apparent that a skip at Alva Industrial Estate was being used by fly-tippers.
Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst BID told us “Businesses within the BID area take great pride in their working environment and Clacksfirst BID aims to work closely with them in this regard.
On a visit to Swan Robes I noticed that the skip was creating a real mess and possibly attracting fly-tippers onto the industrial estate. McCallum Skip Hire was extremely helpful by removing the skip free of charge which, in normal circumstances would not happen.”
Following the removal of the skip Criminal Justice Service (CJS) then cleared up the remaining debris. Through partnership working Clacksfirst BID can call on the services of CJS to assist with graffiti, pallet and litter removal.
Mr Deighan told us “Clacksfirst BID has many partnerships in place to support the businesses in the BID area and CJS ranks as one of the most important. Not only do they remove graffiti and so on they also replenish the Clacksfirst grit bins and will install the new litter & recycling bins we will soon be installing in the BID areas”.
Clacksfirst CCTV Install Nears Completion
In keeping with its business plan, laid down in 2008 following consultation with its member businesses Clacksfirst Business Improvement District (BID) will soon commission its very own CCTV network.
The pioneering project is the first privately-owned county-wide application in Scotland and will be the landmark project to a hugely successful first five years of the Clacksfirst BID.
Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst said “Clacksfirst BID is committed to delivering on the business plan agreed back in 2008. There have been many developments and services delivered however the most prestigious has to be the Clacksfirst CCTV Network. We will have 16 Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras located on all ten BID Business Parks and Industrial Estates”.
Delivering a project of this scale Clacksfirst BID had to ensure it engaged the correct partner to deliver the solution, Mr Deighan told us “Clacksfirst BID was extremely fortunate to have Central Scotland Police, The Scottish Business Crime Centre and Forth Valley CCTV to turn to for guidance in this particular project. Each of those agencies played a significant role in the selection of the CCTV contractor”.
Clacksfirst BID chose to go with Boston Networks Ltd (BNL) following a lengthy selection process. Paul Goodbrand, Director of Intelligent Buildings, Boston Networks told us “Boston Networks has worked in partnership with Clacksfirst BID to deliver a bespoke and all-encompassing surveillance solution to significantly increase security across the entire BID area. The IP CCTV solution provides detailed footage for all of the entry and exit points, throughout 10 business parks and industrial estates.
By securely delivering the detailed footage to a central location, Clacksfirst now benefit from a simplified approach to the retrieval of evidential footage and can benefit from viewing detailed footage on the direction of traffic, video analytics and vehicle number plate recognition technology. Moreover, Boston Networks looks forward to working closely with the Clacksfirst BID over the next 3 years to develop and maintain the robust and scalable IP CCTV solution.”
Following a successful renewal ballot in March Clacksfirst will continue to expand its CCTV network and launch other initiatives to combat crime in the BID area, Kevin Deighan said “Should the businesses vote in favour of continuing with the BID we will definitely grow the number of cameras we have. We have already explored the possibility of employing mobile security patrols on our business parks and industrial estates, this will happen and will be a priority following the renewal ballot”
Clacksfirst BID Seeks Vote to Keep the Momentum Going - February 2013
Clacksfirst Business Improvement District (BID) will go to renewal ballot 27th March 2013.
Clacksfirst BID is about Clackmannanshire businesses working together and investing collectively in local improvements in addition to those delivered by the statutory authorities, which will be of benefit to the businesses involved whilst contributing to the sustainable economic growth of the local economy.
During it’s first term from 2008 – 2013 the BID has launched many initiatives that have enhanced safety, security and the appearance of the ten business parks and industrial estates that form the BID.
Project Manager at Clacksfirst, Kevin Deighan is keen to see the good work continue into a second term “When developments take place over a five year period it is not unusual for us to take them for granted and forget what the landscape looked like before the BID.”
This is in reference to the run down, random signage that has been replaced with dynamic, uniform signage and many other developments that the BID has put in place.
“When we consider that the BID seeks external funding to supplement the revenue generated from the business community and then deliver projects such a county wide CCTV network, free recycling and a robust marketing campaign to promote Clackmannanshire business we have to be hopeful that the businesses see that added value and vote to keep the momentum going”.
Clacksfirst BID has also used its collective strength in negotiating work-in-kind agreements with agencies such as Central Scotland Police, Clackmannanshire Council and Criminal Justice Service all delivering services that the business community would not have access to without the BID.
Mr Deighan said “When we talk to the businesses they tell us that our Business Watch Scheme, in partnership with Central Scotland Police is fantastic and keeps them alert to the type of business crime that is on the increase, this is the kind of service that will disappear without Clacksfirst. Following a successful renewal ballot we will extend the reach of our current sixteen camera CCTV network and employ security patrols to monitor every business park and industrial estate in the BID.”
Businesses eligible to vote in the renewal ballot will have received their copy of Clacksfirst BIDs 2013 – 2018 Business Plan. The business plan can also be viewed at www.clacksfirst.co.uk
Exporting Made Easy Roadshow - March 20th 2013
Business Gateway and Scottish Development National will be running a series of exprting roadshows throughout Scotland in 2013.
The next event will be held at the Falkirk Wheel on 20th March at 10:00am to 12:00pm.
For further details and registration information please click here.
Clackfirst Business Plan 2013 - 2018
The Clacksfirst Business Plan 2013 – 2018 can be viewed here either PDF format or as an ebrochure.
Every business eligible to vote at the renewal ballot will receive a hard copy of the business plan w/c 11th February 2013.
Craft brewer Harviestoun to expand - December 2012
HARVIESTOUN Brewery is to increase its workforce and launch a new range of beers in the new year.
The Alva-based craft brewer, which currently employs 19, plans to recruit a further six staff, following a 30% rise in its staff numbers during 2012.
It follows the opening of an 11,000-square feet warehouse and office with funding from Clydesdale Bank's business banking centre at Stirling.
Omega wins £150,000 to develop new test on HIV - December 2012
OMEGA Diagnostics Group could create up to 40 jobs in Scotland after receiving £150,000 funding to develop its new test for monitoring patients with HIV.
The posts will be added over the next three years at the medical diagnostics and allergy testing firm's headquarters in Alva, Clackmannanshire.
Scottish Enterprise is providing the money through a Regional Selective Assistance grant which will be paid out in three tranches dependent on Omega meeting employment and capital expenditure targets.
Alloa Included in BT's fibre broadband rollout - December 2012
Super-fast broadband is now available to the first Alloa properties.
Alloa is one of the latest Scottish communities to be included in BT's national fibre optic broadband rollout in a move that has been welcomed by local MP Gordon Banks.
The town is the first location in Clackmannanshire to gain access to the service, with more than 13,000 homes and businesses set to be upgraded over the coming weeks.
Another local community, Alva, is due to be upgraded in the near future, while over 15,700 properties across Clackmannanshire will be able to receive super-fast broadband within the next 12 months.
Further locations to be included in the company's fibre broadband rollout will be unveiled in the coming months and BT is also working with the Scottish government and its agencies to reach parts of the country beyond its current commercial network.
Responding to the news, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire Gordon Banks said: "This is a significant step for Alloa. High-speed digital connectivity is a defining factor in our long-term success."
China approves Omega's Food Detective tests - December 2012
ALVA-based medical testing company Omega Diagnostics has secured approval for use of its food intolerance product – Food Detective – in China as it seeks to target the country's expanding middle class.
The development has come just two months after the Clackmannanshire company signed a distribution agreement for the product in India.
Food Detective, which typically tests a person's reaction against 59 common food types, has been adapted for China to test reactions against 14 common foods.
Contral Instruments Free Business Training Sessions - October 2012
Contral (Nationwide distributors for Fluke, FLIR, Ircon, Raytek, West), are offering free training sessions during November on Temperature Measurement and Thermal Imaging.
The free session is aimed at allowing companies who use temperature measurement & control to get a better understanding of temperature measurement techniques and how thermal imaging works. You may be considering using thermal imaging or already have temperature sensors in place and just want to your staff to get a better understanding of your process.
The 2 hour training session can be held on customer’s sites for companies with 4 or more attendees by arrangement. Alternatively, training sessions will be held on each Monday at 2pm at Contral’s offices for companies with fewer attendees. (Please note these places are limited and must be booked).
Unit 3 - Block 7
Cooperage Business Village
Alloa
FK10 3LP
Tel; 01259 272204
Mob: 07969 737912
Fax: 01259 404111
www.contral.co.uk
Central Furniture Distribution - Furniture Warehouse Clearance Sale Extended to BID Members - October 2012 - Central Furniture Distribution are extending their Furniture Warehouse Clearance Sale to BID members Only. A wide range of Suites, Beds, Bedroom, Living Room, Dining and Occasional Furniture at prices never seen before by the public. Quick delivery is available to anywhere in the UK and a Deposit will secure your purchase. Payments can be made by cash or major credit cards. Central Furniture Distribution can be found at Unit 4, The Pleasures, Alloa West Business Park, Alloa, FK10 1TD or contacted on 01259 729 400.
 Clacksfirst BID Cementing Partnership's - October 2012 - Clacksfirst BID has forged many partnerships that benefit the businesses within the Business Improvement District throughout Clackmannanshire’s foremost industrial estates and business parks. One of those partnerships is with Criminal Justice Service (CJS) delivering a variety of services including the removal of discarded pallets, graffiti, litter, fly-tipping and an assortment of environmental enhancements. The work carried out by CJS is a partnership agreement that otherwise would cost a significant sum of money to the businesses, however it is Clacksfirst BID’s aim to create as many partnerships as possible delivering work and services free or at vastly reduced rates. Other partner agencies of the BID are Central Scotland Police, Scottish Business Crime Centre, Zero Waste Scotland, Clackmannanshire Council and Forth Valley CCTV. Clacksfirst recently made a small donation of building materials to CJS as a gesture of goodwill and partnership working.
County's Bridge to Tinseltown - September 2012 - EAGLE-EYED film buffs will spot a familiar landmark in the latest trailer for Warner Bros film, Cloud Atlas. The Clackmannanshire Bridge can be seen briefly in the recent teaser for the Hollywood adaptation of David Mitchell's award-winning novel - albeit with a little CGI tinkering. While it's doubtful the bridge will get top billing alongside stars such as Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, it will be an added incentive for Wee County cinema goers. Councillor Donald Balsillie, convenor for Enterprise and the Environment, said it was county's moment for "Hollywood stardom". He said, "There is enormous benefits to promoting our services to the film industry and attracting a range of film productions to the area. It contributes to the local economy, promotes Clackmannanshire worldwide and brings visitors to the area. "Cloud Atlas is released on 26 September in the USA, and this could be a moment for Clackmannanshire's Hollywood stardom - one example of what the location services within Clackmannanshire Council has delivered. "It is exciting to think that local scenery such as the Clackmannanshire Bridge and the Ochil Hills will feature on the big screen alongside such stars as Halle Berry and Tom Hanks. I am sure this will not be the last film to take advantage of our stunning surroundings." Filming took place in September last year as the bridge stood in for 1970's San Francisco. The road was closed for around four hours as a film crew shot footage, including a car chase. Cloud Atlas is directed by Tom Tykwer (The International) and the Wachowskis (The Matrix trilogy). The story revolves around six interlocking lives in one adventure, circling the globe and reaching from the 19th century to a post-apocalyptic future. It is due to be released in UK cinemas this October.
Clacksfirst Questionnaire - August 2012 - BID Members should by now have received a paper copy of the Clacksfirst Re-ballot Consultation questionnaire. You will also find an online version by clicking on the link below:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ClacksfirstLtdQuestionnaire
The information gathered from this questionnaire is crucial to the content of the BID Business Proposal and Plan thereafter that is why we need to make it as accessible as possible to all of our members. Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey whether online or paper and return it to us, your feedback is extremely important in this process.
Mr Singh's Opens Door's to Alloa Restaurant - August 2012 - Finally, after eighteen months in the making Mr Singh's Restaurant has opened in Alloa Town Centre. Last Wednesday saw the fantastically designed eatery almost burst at the seams with around two hundred guests wined, dined and entertained. No expense was spared with canapes and champagne to get the evening started followed by the Indian cuisine that Mr Singh's has been famous for. TV Celebrity Neil Oliver, a regular at Mr Singh's Stirling restaurant officially opened the new restaurant commenting that he 'has eaten at restaurants across the globe and has yet to taste food better prepared than at Mr Singh's'. Rajinder Singh didn't just happen upon Alloa however, the entire process way back in February 2011 came about through the 'Imagine Alloa - Better For Business' campaign. Whilst looking to find premises for a new restaurant Mr Singh's was looking to Edinburgh City Centre when his business advisor John Pryde of Brand Income engaged in dialogue with the Imagine Alloa Team. Mr Pryde told us - "Alloa was not on our Radar as a location in the short term, however, when the vacant unit at the Old Brewery site was brought to our attention by Imagine Alloa I advised Mr Singh's that this site and Alloa as a location could offer tremendous scope for growth given its road and rail links to surrounding towns and cities". Following those early discussions Rajinder Singh visited the site at the former Maclays Brewery and immediately rescognised the potential of having one of his restaurants in Alloa Town Centre, Mr Singh told us "I acted on Brand Income's advice that Alloa and this location could offer an ideal platform to deliver on our expansion plans and with the support from Kevin and his team at Imagine Alloa - this provided us with an element of comfort and assurance that we could get this project off the ground. I am delighted that we are now open for business and I look forward to meeting the good people of Clackmannanshire and sincerely hope they will enjoy Mr Singh's Alloa". Imagine Alloa - Better for Business is a project run by Clacksfirst BID and is funded through Calckmannanshire Business and both Clackmannanshire BIDs. the aim is to attract investment into Clackmannanshire through projecting all that is positive about our county. Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst BID and Project Manager of Imagine Alloa told us "This is probably the biggest story of the cmapaign however we have had other success in attracting businesses to our business parks and industrial estates. We should also take into account that not only has Mr Singh's invested in his new restaurant and fantastic fit out he has consiously made the effort to use local businesses throughout the project. This is evidenced in in the fact that Machin Associates was the architect on the restaurant whilst Marshall Construction did the conversion from a retail unit to the stunning restaurant we now have in Alloa". Mr Singh's Alloa restaurant is truely a sight to behold and is unmissable from Mill Road and Tesco's car park. We recommend you take a look for yourself and whilst there check out the fantastic twist in the artwork celebrating the Mulholland and Scott sculptures in and around Clackmannanshire.
Clacksfirst Cardboard Uplift Commences - August 2012 - Clacksfirst BID members took the oppurtunity to participate in the BIG BID Recycle Project with the first cardboard uplift taking place last Wednesday. In advance of new regulations, coming into force January 2014 Clacksfirst BId sought funding from Zero Waste Scotland to facilitate the project with a view to helping its BID member get ahead of the game and save money. The Big BID Recycle Project will see businesses get into the habit of separating their mixed recyclables such as cardboard, paper, plastic and cans and make them available for uplift every Wednesday. The first phase is cardboard with the other recyclables uplift rolling out in a few weeks time, this should result in an increase in materials that are recyclable, being recycled and reduce the amount being sent to landfill. The ultimate aim of the project is to encourage BID businesses to recycle more and ultimately save money by doing so. The project will run on untill December 2013 and will take place every Wednesday, businesses are encouraged to leave their flattened cardboard out from 2pm.
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Free Cardboard Collections for Local Businesses - August 2012 - Local businesses are being offered a free cardboard collection scheme thanks to the launch of BIG recycling project in Clacksfirst BID area starting on August 1. Businesses in Alloa Town Centre have already been using this local service but this week the scheme is branching out to the Clacksfirst BID area, giving more businesses a chance to use this new service, which was created to try and improve the recycling of business waste and reduce the level of waste that is sent yearly to the landfills. Businesses are urged to flatten their cardboard and place it into a large cardboard box, which should be placed at the curbside at 2pm every Wednesday. All polystyrene should be removed before uplift. Types of Cardboard that will be lifted will be items such as empty boxes, tube, sheets and packing cases. Depending on the volume of cardboard will depend if an alternate date to lift it would be organised. Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst commented; "The target for this project is to increase awareness amongst the Clackmannanshire business community that new legislation, Waste (Scotland) Regulations, requires them to separate their mixed recyclables such as cardboard, cans, plastic and paper". "We would hope that BID Members view this as an oppurtunity to get ahead of the game and when the regulations come into being in 2014 the separation of these materials is normal practice to them". Businesses should also still be putting out their cardboard and plastic bags containing there separated waste at the time of 3.50pm and this will be uplifted between 4pm and 5pm. This project is being delivered to these businesses from a range of different local organisations working together such as ACE and Zero Waste Scotland, Alloa Town Centre BID and Clacksfirst. The project plans to reduce the environmental impact they have on the environment but also recycling through this project helps the businesses save money yearly because this allows them to reduce their bin size. The scheme plans to help the environment but also save large sums of money throughout the county .
Clacksfirst CCTV Project - August 2012 -
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Increasing Security across your BID |
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Clacksfirst Business Improvement District (BID) is currently working in partnership with Boston Networks Ltd to deliver IP CCTV surveillance across all of its 10 business parks - ensuring your business will now benefit from enhanced levels of security. |
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Over the next couple of weeks Boston Networks will be deploying over 20 new CCTV cameras throughout the Clacksfirst business parks to:
- Record all of the vehicular and pedestrian activity
- Monitor entry and exit points to the business parks
- Facilitate vehicle number plate recognition
- Provide enhanced video analytics
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Boston Network - Preferred security partner for Clacksfirst
Boston Networks offer a range of networking and security solutions that, collectively, deliver bespoke infrastructures and integrated solutions for all sizes of businesses throughout Scotland, from Arnold Clark Automobiles to The University of Edinburgh.
On reviewing all of the solutions proposed, to deliver a project of this scale, Clacksfirst arrived at the conclusion that Boston Networks interpretation of the brief and creativity with its solution provided the best way forward.
Should any BID member need to contact Boston Networks Ltd you can visit www.bostonnetworks.co.uk or call 0141 892 2001. |
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Commenting on the new security solution,
Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst Ltd, states:
"Having gone through a lengthy process to identify a partner to work with on our CCTV network in the BID areas we are delighted with the solution proposed by Boston Networks Ltd"
"Clacksfirst has always sought to improve the environmental appearance and enhance security in the BID, through this project we move so much closer to delivering on our five year business plan for businesses already in the BID as well as sending a clear message to those businesses out with that Clackmannanshire is the perfect place to do business from"
You can read the full Clacksfirst news release here.
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Frank Join's the BID's BIG Recycle - July 2012 - Local businesses within the Alloa Town Centre and Clacks First BID areas can expect a visit from a waste management specialist who will help them to save money and reduce their environmental impact. The BIG BID Recycle project is funded by Zero Waste Scotland, and is being delivered in partnership with ACE. It is open to businesses within either Clackmannanshire BID. Zero Waste Scotland provided BIG BID with almost £30,000, which aims to help small businesses benefit from improved recycling and comply more easily with Scotland’s new waste regulations. Frank Robertson, the BIG BID Project Leader will work with both BIDs on the BIG BID Recycle project, by visiting, discussing and auditing current waste practices. Frank will also bring businesses up-to-date with new waste legislation which will require businesses and households to separate their waste for recycling from 1 January 2014. Frank said: “The BIG BID recycle is a fantastic free service which will reduce recycling and waste disposal costs to businesses with no increased effort. Some businesses have already saved money by changing their current waste contracts, moving to smaller waste bins and saving hundreds of pounds per year.” The proactive approach by the Alloa Town Centre BID and Clacks First BID towards these changes will see businesses in both BID areas being given free bags to separate their waste into plastic, paper and cans, which will then be collected by ACE, our project partner. A successful bag collection scheme has already been trialed in Alloa Town Centre, whereby paper and plastic were collected in separate bags and uplifted at the same time as cardboard. Marissa Lippiatt, Zero Waste Scotland says: “With the new waste regulations coming into play over the next few years, businesses can stand to gain a real competitive advantage by starting to implement the necessary changes now. At Zero Waste Scotland we are committed to making compliance as easy as possible. “This funding provides small businesses with practical solutions to their waste management problems, such as allowing them the opportunity to work together to collect key recyclable materials. Working together in this way is crucial to successfully meeting the obligations of new regulations, as well as having a considerable financial benefit to organisations.”
  Clacksfirst is at front of Queue for Recycling - May 2012 - A scheme lauched by Clacksfirst is leading the way in helping small businesses recycle more, as new legislation comes into force to help change how Scotland treats and manages its waste. Funded through Zero Waste Scotland and Alloa Community Enterprises, Clacksfirst and the Alloa Town Centre BID are set to introduce a six-month pilot project to provide a recycling service to over 500 businesses across Clackmannanshire, having sucessfully secured a grant from the SME Recycling Innovation Fund. Under the new Waste (Scotland) Regulations, passed by the Scottish Parliament recently, businesses are now required to separate paper and card, plastic, metal and glass for recycling by January 2014. Businesses that produce more than 50kg of food waste per week will also need to separate this for collection by January 2014, and businesses producing between 5kg and 50kg of food waste per week will be asked to follow suit from 2016. The regulations aredesigned to help Scotlandmeet its ambitious targets of 70% of all waste being recycled by 2025. Kevin Deighan of Clacksfirst Ltd, said, "Our application to Zero Waste Scotland for funding of this project was based on the principle that Business Improvement Districts should have a positive impact on our members' businesses. Through this sucessful application the businesses in Clackmannashire's BID should see financial and environmental benefits whilst working within the new Zero Waste Regulations. "Working in partnership Clacksfirst, Alloa Town Centre BID, ACE Recycling and Zero Waste Scotland will audit recyclable waste currently being sent to landfill. Through continued analysis and consultation we aim to significantly reduce the volume of dry mixed recyclables going to landfill and continue the excellent recycling work already being carried out in Clackmannanshire." Ian Gulland, Director of Zero Waste Scotland added, "We are delighted to support Clacksfirst to take forward this pilot project to help local businesses find new solutions to make it easier and heaper to SMEs to recycle by working together. "We are here to help businesses to reduce waste and comply with new regulations."
Clacksfirst Security Improvement Grant Scheme - May 2012 - If you are planning to apply for a Security Grant or have yet to return your application form can I remind you that the cut off to express an interest is close of business Thursday, 31st May 2012. This is an opportunity to carry out security improvements on your premises and receive funding of up to 50% of the value of the work with a maximum 50% of the value of your annual levy. If you require further information or an application form please contact Kevin Deighan on 01259 727312 or kevin@clacksfirst.co.uk
Imagine Alloa campaign takes off - April 2012 - Following on from a recent advertising campaign that saw ‘Imagine Alloa – Better for Business’ promoted on buses throughout the central belt of Scotland you can now see Clackmannanshire businessmen John Smykala, RMD Power & Cooling and Chris Miller, Harviestoun Brewery appear on the second phase of marketing at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen Airports.
Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst and Project Manager at Imagine Alloa told us “Although the project name is Imagine Alloa the main thrust of our creative this year is ‘Make it in Clacks’ as we are marketing the County, not just Alloa. We wanted to use brands that business people recognise but perhaps wouldn’t associate with Clackmannanshire”.
The poster sites are located throughout the departure lounges of Scotland’s major airports with the aim of capturing the attention of business owners and decision makers and they showcase the calibre of businesses located in Clackmannanshire.
At Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports there are also huge roadside posters featuring The Clackmannanshire Bridge declaring that Clackmannanshire is the perfect place to do business given its central location.
Kevin Deighan said “In The Clackmannanshire Bridge we not only have an incredible road link to all the major business corridors in Scotland, it’s also an extremely marketable asset to have. Every vehicle entering and departing Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports will be confronted with this amazing structure and the message that Clackmannanshire is an extremely progressive business location”.
Imagine Alloa is not solely targeting the relocation of businesses to the Wee County, the message behind this stage of the campaign is also to remind the broader business community that there are many businesses in Clackmannanshire that they could be doing business with. Mr Deighan said “We have such a scope of businesses in Clackmannanshire that I genuinely believe would surprise those not familiar with the County. Through the excellent partnership work of Clackmannanshire Business, Clackmannanshire Council and Clacksfirst we are going out to Scotland’s business community and saying ‘Come and do business with us”. For more information visit www.imaginealloa.com
Clacksfirst CCTV Project Takes First Steps - April 2012 - Clacksfirst Ltd, Scotland's first business park Business Improvement District (BID) is commited to delivering the objectives laid out in its business plan. Those objectives were arrived at through consultation with electorate prior to being elected in March 2008. Security was high on that list of objectives which is why this latest development has taken place. Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst told us "The aim of a BId is to deliver above the baseline services that the local authority delivers. With the revenue collected through the Clacksfirst BID Levy we have been able to deliver some key developments to Clackmannanshire business parks such as vatly improved accessibility and unifrom signage, significant enhancements in terms of environment and marketing Clackmannanshire as a place to do business from as well as ofering security improvement grants. in addition to this we are in the position to negotiate partnerships with agencies such as Central Scotland Police, Scottish Business Crime Centre, Zero Waste Scotland and Criminal Justice Services all of which simply would not happen were it not for Clacksfirst". Indeed those partnerships have resulted in projects such as the recently reported Business Crime DVD, the first of its kind in the United Kingdom and an imminent announcement regarding a successful funding application and partnership with Zero Waste Scotland. However it is security that remains top of the Clacksfirst agenda and CCTV would appear to be the major development in this regard. "Having our own CCTV network allows Clacksfirst to work with the businessses and Central Scotland Police to control business crime on our business parks. The category of the crime is irrelevant whether it is fly tipping, graffiti or metal theft it is our aim to eradicate it and continue with the process of enhancing the BId business parks" said Kevin Deighan. Clacksfirst would hope that the businesses recognise that they are working hard to ensure the business parks are environmentally maintained, secure and welcoming to customers or investors. For more information on Clacksfirst Ltd contact Kevin Deighan 01259 727312 or kevin@clacksfirst.co.uk
 
Mr Singh Imagines Alloa - March 2012- Restaurateur Raj Singh will open a new branch of his Mr Singh’s restaurants in Alloa Town Centre this year. Mr Singh was successful in applying for planning permission to transform the former Acorn Pets unit at Thistle Brewery into his fourth restaurant in Central Scotland. The new restaurant, which opens to customers late Spring will also create around 25 new jobs to the town. Mr Singh has three restaurants The Indian Cottage and Indian Brasserie both in Stirling and India Gate in Dunblane. Whilst looking for a new opportunity Mr Singh’s business advisor John Pryde suggested he look closer to home and consider Alloa. Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst Ltd and Project Manager at Imagine Alloa met with Mr Pryde and Raj Singh to discuss the merits of a new restaurant in Alloa Town Centre. He told us “There are lots of extremely successful businesses in Alloa Town Centre and when you look a little closer their success is down to fantastic products and service. We spoke to Raj about this and believed that if he is confident of delivering the product and service then a new venture in Alloa would work for Mr Singh’s”. Taking the locale into account it is likely, but not confirmed that the restaurant will be named ‘Mr Singh’s at The Tower’ and will incorporate our very own Alloa Tower into its branding. David Haswell, Chair of the local Economic Development Partnership Team said “I am personally delighted to welcome Mr Singh’s to Alloa. As a regular customer of his Stirling restaurants, I am a fan of the quality of the food and the friendly service that has become a hallmark of Mr Singh’s. To have a quality restaurant with such a good reputation will be a huge boost to Alloa Town Centre and Clackmannanshire and I wish Mr Singh all the best in this exciting venture”. It is not only the discerning diner that will benefit from this development. Mr Singh recognises that there should be an opportunity for local businesses to benefit from his move. This is evidenced in the fact that he has appointed Machin Associates as architects and aims to work with as many local providers as possible. Colin Machin, Machin Associates said “We met with Mr Singh and Kevin Deighan at the proposed site for his new restaurant and immediately thought his plans and ideas were exactly what the town centre needed. We are delighted to have been appointed to this prestigious and innovative project and look forward to seeing the work commence, the public are in for a treat.” Imagine Alloa is a project that reaches out to business owners with an informative approach to let them know that Clackmannanshire is home to many hugely successful businesses and given recent, significant investment in the area there should be no reason why their business can’t be part of that success. The project is supported by Clacksfirst Ltd and Clackmannanshire Business Ltd and has played a lead role in attracting businesses such a Contral Instruments Ltd and Fennelwood Foods to Clackmannanshire. Kevin Deighan told us “We have been instrumental in the several businesses relocating to Clackmannanshire and will continue to do so. When a new business moves into the area the first thing they do is look around to see who they can do business with – this all contributes toward boosting the local economy”.
Alloa is Better for Business - March 2012 - Following on the success of last year's campaign 'Imagins Alloa - Better for Business' has launched another burst of marketing activity that will keep the profile of the area in the minds of those businesses lookin to relocate or expand. the project delivered over forty jobs to Clackmannanshire during 2011 and aims to build on that acheivement during 2012. Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst Litd and Project Manager on 'Imagine Alloa - Better for Business' said "At the start of the campaign last year we had a vision of how the project would work and it panned out that way. Having said that, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of jobs created". Last week saw the launch of the 2012 campaign with 'Imagine Alloa - Better for Business' appearing on the back of buses throughout Central Scotland. It is understood that there will be further activity with the aim of attracting investment to Clackmannanshire. "We have refined the strategy slightly. Last year it was about getting the message out loud and clear that Clackmannanshire, with new rail links and The Clackmannanshire Bridge was very much open for business. This year we are targeting specific sectors relevant to investment, commercial property and business decision-makers." Kevin Deighan told us. This pro-active campaign to attract investment and creat jobs in the area is supported by Clacksfirst Ltd and Clackmannanshire Business Ltd. It is believed that there will be further marketing activity at Scotland's three major airports backed up by a robust online strategy.
Clacksfirst Help Remove Hazardous Waste - March 2012 - Clacksfirst has stepped in to make the community a brighter place after removing an unsightly skip containing hazardous waste. For almost six months a skip loaded with waste has been left to attract vermin and vandals at Tazcalgan Court, Barnpark Industrial Estate. The skip had been hired by a tenant and the abandoned when the tenant's business moved out of the industrial estate. Environmental protection agency SEPA were called in and declared the waste in and around the skip as being hazardous. With the skip hire cost still to be met there was a stand off when it came to removing the waste. Kevin Deighan, Clacksfirst Ltd told us "I was at Barnpark Industrial Estate meeting BID members when the skip was brought to my attention. It was apparent that the neighbouring businesses were affected by the over-full skip so I thought Clacksfirst should get involved". Clacksfirst business plan has a commitment to enhancing the outisde environment of the BID's, Mr Deighan said: "Given that we are committed to keeping our business parks clean, safe and secure it would has been remiss of us had we not stepped in". Although unpaid A&A Skip Hire agreed to remove the skip and it's contents in the interests of goodwill. Philip Anderson, property owner ar Tazcalgan Court told us "It was at best an eyesore for many months and without the help of Clacksfirst the problem would have run on for even longer. Clacksfirst's intervention has resolved a long running problem, and i am most grateful to both Kevin and to Clacksfirst for their assistance in this matter".
Before After
Clacksfirst Crime Prevention CD - Clacksfirst Business Improvement District (BID) have launched Scotland's only Crime Prevention CD for Businesses. Clacksfirst played an instrumental role in the development of the CD, working in a unique partnership with Central Scotland Police, Clackmannanshire Council, Clackmannanshire Criminal Justice Services, Fife and Forth Valley Community Justice and the Scottish Business Crime Centre (SBCC). The CD, which is the first of its kind, links users directly to the internet and provides crime prevention advice in a very easy to use format. The full article can be found on our Business Park Security Page.
Clacksfirst Business Watch Signage - Clacksfirst along with its partners, Central Scotland Police and the Scottish Business Crime Centre, have launched Business Watch CCTV Signage within the ten Business Parks in Clackmannanshire. The new signage will let everyone know that these areas are protected through the Business Watch Scheme and will hopefully contribute towards the continuation of lowering crime in Clackmannashire and will also deter crimanals away from the Business Parks. The full article can be found on our Business Park Security Page.
2kt Innovation Fund - 2kt has the capacity to provide Scottish SMEs with funding of up to £5000 through the 2kt Innovation Fund. This is to support the development of innovative product, process and service ideas. Please click on the following link for more information: 2kt Innovation Fund
Business Gateway Winter Events 2011 - Business Gateway in conjunction with Ceteris are holding a number of free workshops for businesses throughout the winter. The events aim on improving the skills of both employers and employees. Click on the following link to see all events and how to book your free place: Ceteris Winter Events
Skills Shortages in Scotland - For any Member who may need to employ workers outside the EEA now or in the future because of a shortage of skill workers then please follow the attached link for further information: Skills Shortages
TripshareClacks - Clackmannanshire Council and the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership, SEStran, have created TripshareClacks to match up journeys. The scheme is open to everyone and is free to join and use. Simply register your details and your journey, TripshareClacks will then search for possible matches. It doesn't matter where you live or work, the scheme can match up journeys throughout the UK. For more information on the scheme and to register, please click on the following link: http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/transport/tripshare/
Fire Safety Log Book - The Scottish Business Crime Centre have prepared a fire safety log book to assist resposible persons in co-ordinating their fire safety record keeping. This book alone does not constitute a fire rise assesment. For more information and to download a copy please click on the following link: Fire Safety Log Book
Business Bank Account Take Over Fraud: Bulletin 2011 - The Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) in conjunction with the Scottish Business Crime Centre have issued a bulletin on Business Bank Take Over Fraud. The bulletin describes how fraud can take place within a business a gives some safety measures, which can be taken to prevent fraud from happening. To read the bulletin, please click on the following link: Business Bank Take Over Fraud: Bulletion 2011
Imagine Alloa - 'Better for Business' - Imagine Alloa, in Partnership with Clacksfirst and Alloa Town Centre Business Improvement Districts, have launched a new marketing campaign to attract current and potential businesses to invest in Clackmannanshire. This will create new jobs within Alloa and boost local economy. More information, including details of available business properties, is available through the Imagine Alloa website www.ImagineAlloa.com
Working Rite Clackmannanshire - We would like to introduce the Clackmannanshire Working Rite project, a government backed initiative, in partnership with Paragon Housing Association, aimed at helping employers minimize the cost of recruiting young people who wish to align themselves with the construction industry and allied trades. I think that the scheme will be of particualr interest to you, therefore I have attached a copy of one of our leaflets outlining the benefits to employers who adopt the project and also a link to our main website, www.workingrite.co.uk,which contains more in depth information as well as statistics, case studies, and success stories brought about through the Working Rite model!
If you feel that Working Rite could benefit your company and you would like to participate, or if you have any further questions or queries please find the contact details provided in the following link: Working Rite Clackmannanshire
Business Mentoring Scotland
Business Mentoring Program - This program has been set up, by a partnership between Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Chamber of Commerce, to help businesses get the advice and support they need to continue forward with their business. This program provides a specialised mentor, to businesses with a turnover in excess of £100K, who have a genuine desire to make a difference to their business - they volunteer their time and are committed to sharing their skills, knowledge, experiences and contacts with you.
Fire Safety Risk Assessment
Preventing a fire within the workplace is a main concern to all employers. One measure which can be taken to help prevent this is by carrying out a Fire Safety Risk Assessment. You may want to carry out the assessment yourself, or have a Fire Safety Consultant do this for you. This document has been put together by Firelaw and ensures that all safety measures are taken to prevent a fire within your workplace. For more information on Fire Safety Risk Assessments and to Download the necessary documents please click on the following link http://www.firelawscotland.org/v23323.html?pContentID=240.
Low Carbon Skills Fund
Forth Construction have asked us to highlight the following information regarding a low carbon skills fund which is open to organisations, employing less than 250 staff, whose current or intended business activity is in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and/or carbon reduction.
We are lead to believe there is still funding available.
BIDs Scotland
Scottish Business Crime Centre
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