Falkirk as a Business Location
Falkirk Council area is situated right at the centre of Scotland. It has a growing population of over 150,000, with over 59,000 people working in the area. The main towns are Falkirk itself, Grangemouth - Scotland's premier port and home to its only major oil refinery - Bo'ness, Denny, Larbert and Stenhousemuir.
Falkirk is one of the best connected areas in Scotland – within half and hour of two major European cities, just 20 minutes drive from Edinburgh airport, with excellent motorway and train links and a sea terminal. 60% of Scotland's population is within a 60 minute journey.
Grangemouth is Scotland's largest deep sea container port, with excellent road and rail connections. Warehousing and distribution are key growth areas. Grangemouth's major industry is chemicals with Ineos, Syngenta, Avecia and Rhom & Haas located in the area. Other key sectors in the Falkirk area include vehicle building, timber processing, tourism and leisure.
Falkirk town is the main administrative and shopping centre for the area. It has a vibrant town centre with many of the major retail chains including Marks and Spencer and BHS located there. Development and regeneration plans for each of the other town centres are progressing.
New housing is developing rapidly and house prices are very competitive compared to surrounding areas. Traditional villas and canal side developments are attracting people to come and live in the area.
The Community Schools Project will result in all eight high schools in the Falkirk area being rebuilt by 2009. This project will enhance the role which the schools will play in their community. They will become the focal point of each community in terms of community participation, lifelong learning and active citizenship.
Forth Valley College provides further education services to the community with over 10,000 students currently enrolled in Falkirk. The college provides courses in engineering, business administration and call centre training. A recent HMIe review rated the College at the highest level ever achieved by any FE college in Scotland.
The world famous Falkirk Wheel built as part of the Millennium project to re-open the historic Forth & Clyde and Union canals is currently attracting some 400,000 visitors each year. This adds to the existing attractions of the Antonine Wall - the Roman Empire's most northerly frontier, and now a World Heritage Site - the unique Dunmore Pineapple, Callender House, Blackness Castle, Bo'ness Steam Railway and the Scottish Railway Museum.
£25m of Living Landmarks Lottery Funds has recently been recieved in conjunction with Bristol Waterways and the Central Scotland Forest Trust to transform the landscape between Falkirk and Grangemouth, including building the Kelpies; giant public artworks which will mark the eastern gateway to the canal network.
The fantastic new multi-use Falkirk Community Stadium adds to the area's numerous leisure facilities which include an indoor and outdoor athletic stadium in Grangemouth, 7 golf courses, canal network, parks and cycle paths. The Eco Park is the newest green space being created in the area, the vision is an urban park that will provide residents and visitors with a series of outdoor rooms providing opportunities for a range of recreational activities and habitats for wildlife.
The Falkirk area has much to commend it as a location for business and as a place in which to live, work and visit. The My Future's in Falkirk initiative is a transformational economic development programme for the Falkirk area, delivered by a radically open partnership between Falkirk Council, BP and Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley. The 10 year initiative is already delivering real benefits for the economy, environment and social fabric of the area. The overall objective is to make the Falkirk area an even better location for business investment, families and visitors. For more information on current action areas visit www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk|.