Tourism and food & drink among sectors pegged to benefit from data innovation

The potential of digital technology and innovation for organisations in Fife and the Scottish Borders has been highlighted in white papers from the City Region Deal’s Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) initiative.

The reports explain the potential for both local authority areas to harness DDI and boost sectors, including food and drink, renewable energy, and tourism, and in the delivery of public services, from remote healthcare through to demand-led public transport.

Delivered by the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University as part of the City Region Deal, the DDI initiative aims to enhance data capability across key industry sectors to establish the city region as the Data Capital of Europe.

Jarmo Eskelinen, director of the DDI initiative, said: “The DDI initiative is already helping diverse sectors share ideas, challenges, and experiences to support south-east Scotland’s tech and innovation ecosystems. But DDI’s potential is not limited to organisations that traditionally rely on digital technology. By better gathering and analyse of information, many organisations can develop products and services to better meet the needs of their customers.”

The two reports are the product of research by academics at the University of Edinburgh working in close collaboration with Scottish Borders Council and Fife Council.

The newly published consultation on the Regional Prosperity Framework for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region sets out the basis on which partners are likely to mount future regional investment bids. Data will be vital, in capturing insights for any such bids and in driving prosperity and well-being as investment programmes are developed and delivered.

As partners in the City Region Deal, experts at the University of Edinburgh’s DDI initiative stand ready to help the region achieve these objectives.

Joint prosperity plan agreed for Lothians, Borders & Fife

Citizens, businesses, and organisations across South East Scotland have helped shape a major consultation on the region’s economic future.

The Regional Prosperity Framework (PDF, 2.59MB) highlights the need to tackle inequalities and climate change, and to prioritise well-being and quality of life alongside economic growth.

The consultation took place over the summer, with public, private and third sector organisations providing their views on issues including transport and housing, education and digital inclusion.

Garry Clark, Federation of Small Businesses Development Manager for the East of Scotland, said: “For small businesses across the Lothians, Fife and the Borders, the Regional Prosperity Framework represents an important touchstone for the collective economic ambition of the region. They will welcome the commitment to fostering and supporting business creation and growth and the recognition of the role that businesses play, not only in our economic prosperity, but also in social and community wellbeing.”

Cllr David Ross, Fife Council’s Co-Leader and Joint Committee Chair for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, said: “This document sets out long-term aspirations for the region and informs policy development for the next 20 years. 

"It has been developed with input from public, private and third sector organisations and aims to address the region’s challenges and opportunities to make Edinburgh and South East Scotland a better place to live, work, study, visit and invest for current and future generations.

"It is focused on tackling the important and pressing challenges of climate change, sustainability, biodiversity loss, inequalities, health and well-being, job creation and achieving a net zero economy."

The Framework focuses on addressing inequalities and the challenges of creating new jobs and businesses while enabling a transition to a net zero carbon economy.

It does this through a commitment to actions that will deliver a more prosperous, innovative and resilient regional economy.

Other plans include making employment, training and education more accessible through better connected and sustainable transport.

Data-Driven Innovation is also set to play a vital role in strengthening the region’s innovation ecosystem to support organisations, irrespective of where they are based.  This will bring the region a step closer to becoming the data capital of Europe.

Another priority is creating ‘twenty minute neighbourhoods’, where residents have closer access to everyday goods, services and amenities. These include seven sites at Blindwells, Edinburgh’s Waterfront, Dunfermline, Shawfair, Winchburgh, Calderwood and Tweedbank.

The Framework builds on, and widens, the partnerships developed through the City Region Deal, paving the way for further collaboration through regional economic plans with shared outcomes, responsibilities, and aligned priorities and resources.

Book now for our conference Doing Data Better, 30 September 2021

The City Region Deal’s Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) initiative will team up with the Scotsman newspaper on 30 September to deliver Doing Data Better, a free-to-attend virtual event that will bring together experts from a range of fields to discuss data’s role in tackling major global challenges.

Keynotes will come from two leading commentators: writer and broadcaster Jamie Bartlett, author of The People Vs Tech, who will discuss doing data better to protect privacy; and Allison Schrager, author of An Economist Walks into a Brothel, which takes a look at unexpected places to understand risk. At the conference, Allison will discuss how understanding risk is key to doing data better.

The event builds on two previous conferences, which focused on ethics (DOING DATA RIGHT in 2019) and collaboration (DOING DATA TOGETHER in 2020) and will examine how we harness ethical and collaborative approaches.

Jarmo Eskelinen, DDI’s Executive Director, said: “Data innovation is being used more and more as part of the solution to major global challenges. It will feature in the planning and forecasting for future pandemics and play an important role in reducing the effects of climate change. As part of the University of Edinburgh and the City Region Deal, the DDI initiative is uniquely placed to play a key role in these efforts, working between researchers, industry and government at local and national levels. I urge anyone interested in the increasingly important role of data to book their place at our conference and learn more about how collecting, analysing and drawing insights from data can create better futures for us all.”

Alongside keynote talks, the conference will include expert panel discussions where industry and academic experts will discuss data’s role in four big themes: climate change, future pandemics, tourism and economic recovery, and social & financial inclusion.

Join us as we discuss DOING DATA BETTER – at a time when we need to do this more than ever.

scotsmandataconference.co.uk

NEW DESIGN FOR DUNARD CENTRE

Images released today of the proposed new design for the Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, reveal an opportunity to make an inspiring contribution to the city’s cultural rebuild.

DUNDAS HOUSE SETTING - VIEW FROM ST ANDREW SQUARE

One of the boldest ventures in the city’s recent past, Edinburgh’s first purpose-built music and performance venue in over one hundred years will rival the best in the world in acoustic quality and audience experience, bringing together architect Sir David Chipperfield, recognised throughout the world for high quality architecture in sensitive heritage sites and leading acousticians Nagata Acoustics, established international authorities in the field of concert hall design.

As the cultural flagship for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, the Dunard Centre will fill a recognised gap in the region’s cultural infrastructure and provide a platform for local, national and international musicians to perform to audiences in the very best environment.

The 1000 capacity hall is designed with the flexibility to welcome the widest possible range of acoustic and amplified music and performance to a mid-sized venue. The simple elegance of the exterior reflects the surrounding neoclassical design of the Edinburgh New Town and opens up an undiscovered area of the city centre, linking the St James Quarter, St Andrew Square and the Register Lanes and contributing to the regeneration of the area.

IMPACT Scotland’s Co-Chairs Fergus Linehan and Gavin Reid commented:

AUDITORIUM - ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE

Fergus Linehan: “We are delighted to unveil the stunning design for the Dunard Centre which will be a truly transformational venue in the heart of Edinburgh. 

“The restrictions throughout the pandemic have highlighted the enormous contribution participating in the performing arts, whether as an audience member or a performer, makes to our wellbeing. It is a great honour to be leading a project which will make such a positive and inspiring contribution to the city’s cultural rebuild.”

Gavin Reid: “As well as being a creative hub hosting music and educational experiences of all kinds, the Dunard Centre will reach out beyond its own walls to be an inspirational springboard for outreach work across the city and beyond.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said:

"The Dunard Centre is an exciting prospect for Edinburgh's cultural landscape. 

"These designs show the great potential for a new, dynamic creative space in the heart of the city.

"The UK Government is investing £10 million in this project as part of it's £1.5 billion commitment to Region Deals across Scotland, helping communities everywhere to build back better from the pandemic."

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Adam McVey said: 

“The Dunard Centre is an exciting and important new cultural venue for our Capital. This is the first purpose-built concert venue in Edinburgh in more than 100 years which will expand Edinburgh’s landscape for enjoying music and the arts.  It is in a prime central and sustainable location, with fantastic public transport connections and will complement the wider transformation of the east end of the city centre alongside the opening of the Edinburgh St James Quarter- ensuring that our City centre remains a vibrant and thriving destination.”

Malcolm Buchanan, chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said:

“The Dunard Centre is an exciting proposition that will enrich the city’s education, music and arts communities and one that we are proud to be part of.

“Royal Bank of Scotland has supported Scotland’s arts sectors throughout its 300-year history, three centuries which have cemented Edinburgh and the country’s position as a capital for global culture.

“The Dunard Centre will play a role in continuing that tradition and create further opportunity for another generation of artists and performers.”

Sir David Chipperfield said:

“Tucked behind Dundas House and on axis with George Street, the Dunard Centre occupies a strategic site linking the formal qualities of St. Andrew Square and the New Town with the more intimate atmosphere of lanes around Register House towards the new St. James Quarter. The identity of the building is determined by its circular form, contributing to the silhouette of the city and enclosing a 1,000-seat hall. This flexible world-class facility is designed to adapt to a wide-ranging programme of performances and cultural activities, ensuring it will serve as a meaningful new addition to the life and fabric of Edinburgh.”

The redesigned building will house:

• 1000 capacity auditorium with the capacity for live streaming, digital capture and broadcasting  

• flexible multi-purpose rooms for education, conferencing and hospitality

• foyer with informal opportunity for performance

• café/bar with indoor and outdoor seating

The space has been skilfully re-imagined to create a world-class auditorium of exceptional acoustic quality in the heart of the city, retaining the 1000 capacity, while reducing the size of the proposed building.

The budget for the project remains at £75 million, with two-thirds of this being met by private philanthropy and fundraising.  £35 million is being donated by Dunard Fund, and a fundraising campaign for a further £15 million has already received significant pledges. As part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal the UK and Scottish Governments are each providing £10 million, and City of Edinburgh Council £5 million. 

A variation to the planning application is being submitted this week. If planning permission is granted, construction will begin in 2022, with an estimated build length of 3 years.

£40m City Region Deal funding unlocked for Edinburgh Innovation Park

The business case supporting development of a flagship food & drink innovation hub in East Lothian has been given the green light by officials, unlocking £40m City Region Deal funding for Edinburgh Innovation Park. The full business case was passed by Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee after a presentation by joint venture partners for the development, Queen Margaret University (QMU) and East Lothian Council.

The Food and Drink Innovation Hub is supported by £28.6 million from the UK Government, £1.4 million from the Scottish Government and £10 million from East Lothian Council as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.  The deal is a £1.3 billion regional investment programme jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments and regional partners.  

Closely aligned to the University’s strengths, the hub will focus on food and drink related innovation within the context of health and wellbeing and will include serviced laboratories and office accommodation as well as facilities for events. It will accommodate facilities of the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation, already a successful research partner to the food and drink sector, and will offer access to equipment, knowledge and skills to support product development and product launches.​ As well as bricks and mortar, there will be a full programme of activities to foster innovation, boost female entrepreneurship, and address market and societal need.

The innovation hub is in a prime strategic location next to the QMU campus on the boundaries of both Edinburgh and Midlothian. The hub will be the anchor for Edinburgh Innovation Park which will be developed over time to create a nationally significant centre of knowledge exchange, innovation and high value business growth.

Work will commence immediately to select the design team and finalise designs for the hub. Construction is expected to begin early in 2023 and will be completed in 2025.

Sir Paul Grice, Principal, Queen Margaret University said:

“This is great news for East Lothian, and for Scotland’s food and drink sector, especially as it relates to society’s health and wellbeing. The committee’s approval to release £40 million City Deal funding will aid economic recovery from the impacts of the pandemic by bringing quality jobs and investment to the area, and by supporting an important sector through research, knowledge exchange and skills training. Together with our joint venture partners East Lothian Council, we can now move forward to realise our vision of a strategic, sustainable development that will promote inclusive growth.”

Councillor Norman Hampshire, depute council leader, said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to reach such an important milestone for this exciting project which will promote inclusive growth locally and regionally and create a significant number of new jobs and skills pathways. East Lothian, Scotland’s food and drink county, is the perfect location for a Food and Drink Innovation Hub.

“The importance of growing the economy has been heightened by the challenges of the pandemic and the need to focus on securing a strong recovery. In one of Scotland’s fastest growing areas, we must provide opportunities for good-quality, local employment as well as opportunities for young people.

“This is Phase 1 of our plans for the wider Edinburgh Innovation Park providing a unique opportunity to transform a strategic economic development site, owned by East Lothian Council.

“Working with our partners, the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal and Queen Margaret University, this project will deliver significant benefits for the people of East Lothian.”

James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food and Drink, said:

“Despite the challenges the industry has faced over the last year, Scotland’s food and drink sector has huge opportunities ahead of it, both in markets locally and globally. Pivotal to grasping these opportunities is innovation and increasing the collaborative working between Scotland‘s universities, research base and our food and drink producers. This investment is exactly the kind of catalyst to make that happen.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said:

"Scotland already has a global reputation for quality food and drink and this new hub will cement its place as a world in leader with a focus on the new fields of health and wellbeing.  This will bring new companies and investment to the area and create jobs.  

"Across Scotland the UK Government is investing more than £1.5 billion into City and Growth Deal projects, helping communities to build back better from the pandemic."

The Scottish Government’s Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said:

“I’m very pleased to see progress being made in the delivery of the food and drink innovation hub, funded through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, that will bring high quality jobs to the area as well as increase skills and foster innovation in the food and drink sector.

“City Region and Growth Deals will be a crucial part of our economic recovery from the pandemic as we work towards a fairer and more inclusive Scotland. We are investing £300 million over 15 years to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal across transport, housing, culture, innovation and skills to help achieve this.

“This is a crucial time for business, trade and investment in Scotland and investing in our communities will ensure every part of Scotland recovers from the pandemic, helping build an economy for everyone.”