Sweet dreams come true thanks to City Region Deal investment

Luxurious organic and Fair Trade chocolate brand Chocolate and Love are thriving thanks to moving their logistics centre to new business units at Queensway Technology and Business Park, Glenrothes, which were completed as part of Fife Council's Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Industrial Innovation Investment programme.

Chocolate and Love's logistics centre is part of a new hub for innovative and future focused businesses. The City Region Deal funded development has proven so popular that all nine units are already let to a diverse range of businesses that are now thriving in their new premises.

Fife's Industrial Innovation Investment programme forms part of the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, a partnership of the Scottish and UK Governments, the region's local authorities and universities that is transforming the regional economy.

The move offers Scottish/Danish couple Richard O’Connor and Birgitte Hovmand O'Connor, who created Fife-based Chocolate and Love ten years ago, the opportunity to diversify and grow their business, and further strengthen their ethical brand.

Birgitte O'Connor, Co-founder of family-owned business, Chocolate and Love, said: “Operating with our own team that is based around Fife ensures we can have visibility and effective stock management of our goods. We pride ourselves in our customer service and satisfaction and can now deliver this through our own distribution centre. It also keeps transport costs down and is more eco-friendly, avoiding carbon footprint for UK orders.

“Our business is continually innovating and developing. We have recently launched naked bars and couverture chocolate (chocolate with a higher percentage of cocoa butter for baking) for packaging-free stores and the food service industry.

“The new units are enabling expansion locally, to meet the needs of the growing category of conscious consumers. Planet-friendly vegan chocolate is becoming increasingly popular and Chocolate and Love is meeting consumer demands through innovative product development. So far, we have won 53 Great Taste Awards - a great testament to the high quality cacao, sourced directly from Fairtrade certified cooperatives."

Richard O'Connor continued: “We will keep developing more vegan chocolate bars for our eco- and health-conscious customers, with more cocoa and less sugar. We are constantly looking into eco-friendly packaging to stay at the forefront and will also be optimising new ways within our own fulfilment centre to be even more environmentally friendly.

“Since moving into the new units in Glenrothes our business is going from strength-to-strength. By operating our own fulfillment centre, we are pleased to be introducing personalised gifting and will be doing more corporate gifting including Christmas gifts for employees and customers.”

Cllr. David Ross, Fife Council Leader, said: “Our focus in Fife is on fairer economic growth, where everyone benefits from good employment opportunities and regional investments. This is just one of the City Region Deal investment programmes encouraging more businesses to locate and grow within Fife, and secure a further £30m of investment by the private sector. 

“The new units are a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs and those in Glenrothes are already filled up with a range of businesses, helping them reach their aspirations and vision. They provide a superb base for new and fledgling businesses – as well as for those looking to expand into new premises."

As part of Fife's Industrial Innovation Investment programme, seven single storey business units on land at Mitchelston Industrial Estate, Dunnikier Business Park, Kirkcaldy were recently completed. The cutting-edge buildings include solar panels and are located to key transport links including public transport.  A few units are still available for local small enterprises Dunnikier Business Park (investfife.co.uk)

The latest development due for completion in late summer is at West Way, Hillend, featuring 8 units. Visit Westway, Dalgety Bay (investfife.co.uk)

To find out more visit  https://www.investfife.co.uk
Leasing enquiries can be made to fifemeansbusiness@fife.gov.uk

Fife’s ten-year £50m Industrial Innovation Investment programme (i3) is being delivered as part of the City Region Deal’s innovation theme, and is providing much-needed serviced employment land and new industrial, office and business space.  The programme is creating 1,000 new skilled permanent jobs and almost 600 short-term construction jobs over the 15-year lifetime of the City Region Deal. Joint working between the region’s universities, Fife businesses and Fife Council means more high value, better paid, skilled jobs locally. 

New Usher building celebrates topping out milestone

Construction of the new Usher building at Edinburgh BioQuarter has reached its highest point.

Due to open in 2024, the world class research and teaching facility will accelerate data-driven innovation within the health and care sector.

The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Councillor Robert Aldridge, joined representatives from across the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh BioQuarter, alongside principal contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, to celebrate the topping out of the building.

The Usher Institute is part of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative and is supported by £48.5million from the UK Government and £0.7million from the Scottish Government through the £1.4 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal – a 15 year investment programme jointly funded by both governments and regional partners.

Accelerating innovation

The new building will join a growing health innovation ecosystem across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland region.

Once open, it will bring together over 900 researchers, health and care providers, and industry partners focused on transforming the delivery of health and social care.

Building on existing expertise and interdisciplinary research within the Usher Institute, the project will accelerate new public, private and third sector partnerships to discover, develop and deploy data-driven solutions to address the most pressing issues in health and social care.

Development of the building will also bring additional benefits to the local community, with a dedicated open space for community connections, support and inspiration for STEM and innovation life-long learning and employment and by being a good neighbour.

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “It’s fantastic that the next milestone has been reached on what will be a world class research and teaching facility in the region. The Usher Institute was and continues to be central to Scotland’s understanding of, and response to, COVID-19. The importance of using data science to improve and save lives has never been more obvious and I very much look forward to the work that will be undertaken in the finished Usher building. The Usher Institute enhances Scotland’s world-leading health data assets and is central to our future ambitions for developing an international network of healthcare innovation at Edinburgh BioQuarter to understand and advance global health.”

Professor Sir Aziz Sheikh, Director, Usher Institute said: “Collaboration is at the core of our data-driven vision for the new building, bringing together outstanding academic and clinical expertise within the Usher Institute, alongside companies and health and social care providers. Working together, we hope to find solutions to some of the biggest health challenges facing our country, delivering better health and care for those in the region and across Scotland.”

Anna Stamp, Interim Programme Director, Edinburgh BioQuarter said: “The Usher Institute will deliver unrivalled health and social care data opportunities, and is designed to reflect the collaborative nature of the institute and our community of world-leading health and life sciences innovators.

“This groundbreaking development will support the wider ambitions to make Edinburgh the data capital of Europe, and supports our vision to create a Health Innovation District that will ensure Edinburgh is a leading global destination for pioneering health innovation and enterprise. Delivering many benefits for people and patients, locally, nationally and internationally.”

Proud to Care

It is well known that Scotland urgently needs more people to work in Health and Social Care .

As a result, the Capital City Partnership have launched a "Proud to Care" campaign across the six local authorities in the City Region Deal (Edinburgh, East Lothian Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian).

Watch the video on the Capital City Partnership’s Proud to Care website.:

Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal today confirmed £25 million funding package for the city’s major new music venue, Dunard Centre

Dunard Centre moves confidently forward towards first phase of construction work

World-class music centre set to boost Edinburgh’s international reputation for culture

At a meeting today of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee, Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland was confirmed as receiving support of £10 million each from the UK and Scottish governments, and a further £5 million from the City of Edinburgh Council.

The music venue, which was given the green light by Edinburgh’s planning authorities in November, is being funded through substantial philanthropic donations, including the visionary support of £35m from Dunard Fund, and underpinned by £25 million support from the Scottish and UK governments and the City of Edinburgh Council, as part of the City Region Deal.  

The Royal Bank of Scotland is supporting the project by providing a long-term lease for the land.

Having successfully secured planning permission and this substantial grant towards its £75million budget, the team behind Dunard Centre is now confidently progressing the final design details and preparing to begin work on site. A fundraising campaign to secure the remaining £15m of the project budget is already well underway. 

Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland is set to be Edinburgh’s first purpose-built music and performance venue in over 100 years.  A number of studies have highlighted the need to augment the City’s venue base with a world-class hall of this scale and quality, attracting major artists who currently rule out a visit to Scotland’s capital because of a lack of appropriate provision.

The 1,000 capacity Dunard Centre transforms a forgotten site between St Andrew Square and the new St James Quarter into this exciting new destination in which music lovers can come together to experience incredible performances from the very best artists from all genres, with unexpected collaborations and bold programming designed to appeal to audiences of all ages and tastes. The flexible setting will be a home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and a key venue for the Edinburgh International Festival, as well as host for other ensembles, choirs, solo musicians, performers and bands.

A welcoming café and an all-day events schedule will ensure the Centre’s contribution as a cultural hub and showcase venue, with education and community outreach programmes encouraging participation throughout the region. 

Joanna Baker, Executive Director of Impact Scotland, the charity responsible for the construction and operation of the Dunard Centre said: “Edinburgh is a diverse and growing city, and it is our strong belief that the Dunard Centre will drive the future of music and culture across the region.  In building an iconic piece of 21st century infrastructure we are creating space for a new generation of music making and we are delighted that this is recognised by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal partners.  We thank them for this endorsement and look forward to collaborating with colleagues to ensure that the project inspires artists and communities across the region.”

Councillor Russell Imrie, Chair of the ESES City Region Joint Committee said: “The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee today confirmed a package of support totalling £25million towards Edinburgh’s first new purpose-built music space in 100 years. IMPACT Scotland has made clear in its business case the reach of this project; its positive impact on our cultural reputation regionally and nationally, as well as the impact and opportunities for employment and skills development, economic benefit and sustainable value that it brings the Edinburgh and South East Scotland city region.”

City of Edinburgh Council leader, Adam McVey said: “This major investment by City of Edinburgh Council, with support from government and an extremely large contribution from a private benefactor, will help to make this exciting and important new cultural venue for our Capital a reality. It will be the first purpose-built concert venue in Edinburgh in more than 100 years and will give us a state-of-the-art facility which matches our international standing as the world’s premier festival city.

 “I know so many people in the city are looking forward to enjoying all that this first-class cultural experience has to offer and will benefit from its central location with fantastic public transport connections. The cultural flagship of our City Region Deal, it will complement the wider transformation of the east end of the city centre alongside the Edinburgh St James Quarter, our George Street First New Town transformation project and all the private investment currently taking place across Princes Street and the city centre, all helping to keep our city centre a vibrant and thriving destination.

 “I look forward to the next major milestone of the Dunard Centre and seeing how IMPACT Scotland, who will operate the venue, work with the local communities and schools to make music accessible for all.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: "The pandemic has been challenging for performing arts across the UK, not least in Edinburgh with its internationally famous festivals, artists and venues.

 "But we will build back better and I can think of no finer example than helping create the capital's first new music venue in a hundred years as well as a home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

 "The UK Government is investing £10m in the Dunard Centre as part of our £300m support for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal."

 Scottish Government Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said: “The Scottish Government is providing £10 million towards construction of the Dunard Centre in recognition of its potential to significantly boost Edinburgh’s cultural offering and provide a new home to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

 “Projects like this, supported through our £300 million investment in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, are helping us rebuild a more sustainable and fairer economy for all.”

 Malcolm Buchanan, chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Edinburgh is a global capital and world stage for international arts, culture and music. The Dunard Centre will provide further space to continue that tradition and offer further opportunity for more musicians and artists to develop and create. This project is a great example of what can be achieved with close collaboration across the city’s public and private sectors.  Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to play a part in helping bring this project to life.”

ENDS

For further information on Dunard Centre and IMPACT Scotland please contact Susie Gray, The Corner Shop PR, susie@thecornershoppr.com 07834 073795

 Images of Impact Centre here

NOTES: 

IMPACT Scotland is the charity taking the project forward, with the majority of the investment coming from private philanthropy, £35m of which from Dunard Fund, a long-term funder of the arts and music in Scotland.  Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal is a partnership of national and local government and is investing £25m into the project.  Through the support of the Royal Bank of Scotland, Dunard Centre will be built behind and directly connected to the Bank’s historic registered office on St Andrew Square in the heart of Edinburgh.  It will be ideally located, minutes from train, bus and tram stops linking it throughout the city, region, and the wider country.  

 The building is being designed by world-renowned David Chipperfield Architects with Nagata Acoustics as consultants. 

It will be the new home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a principal venue for the Edinburgh International Festival.  With both organisations supporting and contributing to the year-round education and outreach programme, held in the finest musical accommodation.  Through partnerships, opportunities will be developed to enable people to enjoy culture throughout their lives as both participants and audiences. 

IMPACT Scotland is bringing communities and organisations together to create a one-off alignment of partnership, funding and location, to create a transformational venue long recognised to be missing in the region’s cultural infrastructure. 

Find out more at www.impactscotland.org.uk 

GOVE TOURS EDINBURGH’S NATIONAL ROBOTARIUM TO SEE LEVELLING UP AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION IN ACTION

Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove today (24 February 2022) toured a state-of-the-art research facility for robotics and artificial intelligence in Edinburgh, which is backed by £21 million in UK government funding.

Mr Gove saw some of the innovative research projects being developed at the National Robotarium including a demonstration from the facility’s resident robot dogs. These four-legged robots will be used to support people working in hazardous environments like energy inspection and disaster recovery as well as making the construction process safer, more efficient, and sustainable.

The funding, which is provided through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal with an additional £1.4 million from the Scottish Government, is supporting the National Robotarium to create cutting-edge solutions to many of the challenges we face in everyday life. Examples of projects include the development of a train cleaning robot that can complement existing staff while reducing health risks, a robotic coach to aid the process of long-term rehabilitation after stroke, and underwater robots to support safer inspection and repair of offshore wind turbines. Mr Gove also heard more about the facility’s growing partnerships with industry, healthcare organisations and its support for entrepreneurship.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove MP said:

“Levelling up is not going to be an easy task. To be successful, it requires a huge collaborative effort as we have seen here in Edinburgh where governments, local authorities, partners from academia and private sector come together to delivery real results.

“The National Robotarium is the perfect example of what is possible when we work together, and it has been fantastic to see some of the innovative projects being developed here that genuinely have the potential to change people’s lives for the better.”

Based at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus, the new facility is due to be completed this year, bringing with it jobs and prosperity to the region.

The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal draws on a combined total of £600 million in funding from both Scottish and UK Governments to invest in projects over a 15 year period focussing on research, employability and skills, transport, culture and housing.

Professor Mark Biggs, Vice-Principal, Heriot-Watt University said:

“Backed by the combined experience of Heriot-Watt and the University of Edinburgh, we’re demonstrating how Scotland and the UK can lead global developments in robotics and AI, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and addressing some of industry and societies biggest challenges.

“We look forward to working closely with governments to ensure the National Robotarium makes a positive impact by accelerating growth, attracting investment and acting as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and job creation.”

This comes less than a month after the UK Government set out an ambitious plan to level up the whole of the United Kingdom. In addition to existing City Region and City and Growth Deals, our Levelling Up White Paper set up further plans to harness innovation, including £100 million in funding to set up three innovation accelerators across the UK, including one in Glasgow. These will create “Silicon Valley” set ups which will harness research and development in the area.

We have already seen investment as part of the UK Government suite of levelling up funds. £1.7 billion was invested throughout the UK in round one of the Levelling Up Fund including £172 million on 8 projects in Scotland.

While in Edinburgh, Mr Gove also visited the flagship UK Government Hub in Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth House, and spoke at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Improvement Service Annual Conference 2022. He also appeared before a Scottish Parliamentary Committee.

Further information

· The National Robotarium is a world-leading research facility for robotics and artificial intelligence, the largest and most advanced of its type in the UK. 

·  Opening on Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Campus in 2022, the purpose-built building will have unrivalled facilities, adding high precision manufacturing and dedicated laser labs to existing laboratories in ocean systems, human-robotic interaction and assisted living.

· Home to world-leading experts in data analytics, the National Robotarium is exploring collaborative interaction between humans, robots and their environments, translating cutting-edge research into new technologies, underpinned by an ethical approach.

For more information, please visit www.hw.ac.uk/nationalrobotarium

Follow Twitter: @NRobotarium / LinkedIn: @The National Robotarium