Clyde Waterfront: the momentum continues

With a further £2bn of public and private investment committed over the next three to four years, Clyde Waterfront Strategic Partnership continues to facilitate and promote the Clyde’s regeneration, so that when the economic upturn comes, it will be top of the list for private sector investors, businesses and the public.

Clyde Waterfront is sub divided geographically into six key character areas (Glasgow City Centre, Pacific Quay/SECC, Greater Govan & Glasgow Harbour, Renfrewshire Riverside & Scotstoun, Clydebank & Erskine and Old Kilpatrick to Dumbarton. Within these areas are several centres of excellence, for example:

Financial services have been enhanced by the development of Glasgow’s multi award winning International Financial Services District (IFSD ifsdglasgow.co.uk). With over £1bn invested to date, the IFSD has attracted several world class financial services companies, creating 16,000 new jobs since 2001.

The digital sector is thriving in Glasgow at Pacific Quay (dmq@pacificquay) with the relocation of SMG (2006) and BBC Scotland (2007) into purpose built broadcasting centres and the development of Medius (2008) and the Hub (2009), providing smaller units for digital media SMEs – linked to the city centre by the Clyde Arc “Squinty” bridge.

Shipbuilding BVT Surface Fleet’s two yards in Govan and Scotstoun are currently recruiting 100 apprentices to join the 3,000 strong workforce to build £650m Type 45 Destroyers and two new 65,000 ton aircraft carriers for the MoD, over the next six to eight years.

Medical science will be boosted by the £842m re-development of the Southern General Hospital, expanding the maternity hospital and two new hospitals to provide 1,700 beds and treat 725,000 patients a year.

Leisure and tourism new attractions such as the £74m Riverside Museum and 12,500 seat National Arena will grow tourism, whilst the Glasgow Science Centre, Xscape, the Titan Crane and Loch Lomond Seaplanes have all become very popular since opening.

Major hotel developments are also planned e.g. the recently announced five-star deluxe £125m Jumeriah Hotel close to the IFSD. The Glasgow Festival on the Clyde from 25-26th of July, with a host of water based activities, has become a leading event in Scotland’s calendar.

Retail at Clyde Waterfront boasts some of the best destinations in the UK. Braehead now has over 100 stores and restaurants, attracting 20 million customers a year. Glasgow’s Buchanan Street has been voted the best shopping street in Britain and nearby the St Enoch’s Centre is undergoing a £100m refurbishment.

New homes and attractive environments are integral to Clyde Waterfront’s plans. Glasgow Harbour’s £1.2bn riverside apartments and leisure developments epitomise waterfront living and the new Ferry Village near Braehead, involving five developers, is creating 2,000 homes beside the new seven acre Clyde View park.

Education is imperative as an innovative resource (clydewaterfronteducation.com) has been developed offering teachers 200 lesson plans linking 12 Clyde themes with the Scottish curriculum as well as “Classroom on the Clyde” school trips on Clyde Marine’s MV Cruiser starting in May.

And a “Visit the Clyde” initiative was launched recently comprising a new 28 page heritage guide and website (clydewaterfrontheritage.com) that focuses on 12 areas from Glasgow Green to Dumbarton, an advertising campaign on public transport that contrasts the Clyde’s heritage with its regeneration and the promotion of river trips via Seaforce’s powerboats, Clyde Marine’s MV Cruiser and The Waverley Paddle Steamer.

Clyde Waterfront is making the most of its skilled workforce, excellent communications and new infrastructure to develop an international waterfront location that appeals to investors, businesses and the public!

For more information:
Clyde Waterfront, 4th Floor, Atrium Court, 50 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6HQ
0141 229 5423 or clydewaterfront.com