Argyll and Bute’s economy is diverse and thriving, with lots of exciting opportunities for growth in the coming year. Covering around 10% of Scotland’s land mass, with a broad mix of communities, from the modern, urban setting of Helensburgh in the east, with its population of over 12,000 and easy links to Glasgow and central Scotland to the remote island of Coll in the west, with its population of around 300, reliant on ferries and air services for access to the mainland, ours is a unique economic model, with very different areas having their own specific needs.
Given these differing needs we have developed area-based Economic Development Action Plans – fluid documents which allow us to take advantage of the different economic opportunities in our four administrative areas. Last year we made good progress against the targets, creating the right environment for economic growth and job creation.
Since its launch in the summer of 2009, our Business Gateway team has helped over 700 businesses across Argyll and Bute to start-up. As well as helping people through the process of getting their business idea off the ground, the team has also provided advice and support to over 2,400 existing businesses, helping almost 750 in the last year alone. This help is highly valued by local businesses, covering a range of sectors such as tourism, food and drink and creative industries. The latest one year business survival rate of 89% is well above the national benchmark of 78%; likewise for the three year survival rate of 71% which is well above the national benchmark of 60%.
Closely linked to our drive to grow the local economy is the support our Employability team offers to those currently out of work, arming them with the necessary skills to take advantage of employment opportunities and move into sustainable employment. Over the past 15 years we have helped over 1,500 people access sustainable employment throughout Argyll and Bute.
Going forward, as our economy evolves, to make sure we offer the right kind of support to both employers and prospective employees we are carrying out a skills audit, to be completed this spring, which will identify what businesses need. This will give us the opportunity to work with our partners in further education and through the Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership to ensure the training we provide our young people is linked to the employment opportunities available, helping them onto the career ladder and allowing them to progress in their chosen field while remaining here in Argyll and Bute.
As well as the business support our economic development service offers, we are also involved in a number of exciting capital projects which are making our key towns even more attractive places for people to live in, to work in and to visit. Over £50 million is being invested in a wide range of regeneration initiatives including public realm improvements in Helensburgh, Oban and Dunoon, new ‘hub’ facilities in Dunoon and Helensburgh, two business parks in the Oban/Lorn area; new road projects to open up development sites around Dunstaffnage; repair work to save historic buildings and protect jobs in Rothesay, Inveraray and Campbeltown and new cycle path networks and bus infrastructure throughout Argyll and Bute.
