COMMENT
Cllr Billy Hendry
Convener of Place,
Neighbourhood & Corporate
Assets
East Dunbartonshire
Council
W: eastdunbarton.gov.ukBuilding a brighter future -
East Dunbartonshire works
Whether you want to work, unwind or welcome
fresh inspiration, East Dunbartonshire is the
place to go. The Council and Business Gateway
support 5,000 successful small, medium and large
enterprises based locally, providing a wealth of
initiatives and opportunities.
East Dunbartonshire is regularly lauded as one of
the best places to live in the UK - offering first-class
schools and leisure facilities, great connectivity,
vibrant town centres and attractions including The
Antonine Wall, West Highland Way, the Campsie
Fells, amazing golf courses and more.
That success story is built upon a business
base which forms a firm foundation for our local
economy, town and villages. The Council continues
to roll out a programme of capital investment in its
school estate, leisure and cultural facilities, transport
infrastructure and town centres.
Iconic buildings such as Kirkintilloch Town Hall
and Kilmardinny House in Bearsden were recently
rejuvenated, with future projects to include a new
Allander Leisure Centre, Boclair Academy, early years
facilities in Bearsden, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie,
and more.
And we’re continuing to build for the future, with
a significant funding commitment secured through
the Glasgow City Deal.
East Dunbartonshire Council, working with
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Glasgow
City Council, will develop a £30m+ programme
of major transport infrastructure works (including
Phase 5 of Bishopbriggs Relief Road), sustainable
route corridor enhancements and town centre
improvements in Bishopbriggs.
Work is underway to develop proposals - watch
this space for news of exciting opportunities for
business expansion and investment. Councillor
Billy Hendry, Convener of Place, Neighbourhood
& Corporate Assets, said, “We’re building a brighter
future for everyone in East Dunbartonshire. Come
and join the success story - we can help you to
realise your full business potential.”
The Council itself owns a portfolio of sites for sale/
rent and can put you in touch with private owners if
there’s a particular area of potential interest.
Visit eastdunbarton.gov.uk/business,
call 0300 123 4510 or visit bgateway.com
REGIONAL REPORT: DUNBARTONSHIRE
90 INSIDER March 2020 http://www.insider.co.ukkey year for the project with the business
plan for it being completed, the funding
route getting mapped out and hopes of
commitments from the Park’s first tenants.
Another significant, if smaller, economic
project for the area is much more advanced.
Chivas Brothers, the distillery business, is
advancing the construction of its new £40m
facility at Kilmalid in Dumbarton. The
company is building a bottling plant and
office at the site where it already employs
600 people, combining its operations there
leading to the closure of its site at Paisley with
the transfer of all 450 jobs.
Laurent Lacassagne, the then chairman and
chief executive of Chivas Brothers, spoke of
the company’s commitment to a “long and
successful” future in Dumbarton. He said that
the move represented “a major step-change
for our business as we continue to strive for
operational excellence and strengthen our
iconic Scotch whisky portfolio”.
The Chivas portfolio includes Chivas Regal,
Ballantine’s, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet
single malt. It employs 1,600 people across 14
Scotch distilleries, two bottling facilities and
more than 300 UK warehouses.
Another recent positive development for
the economy of West Dunbartonshire is
Cameron House’s unveiling of its planned
extension. The major addition to the five-star
hotel and resort on Loch Lomond will include
a new ballroom following the planning
approval being granted by the Loch Lomond
and The Trossachs National Park Authority
in February. It features a 7,345 sq ft ballroom
and pre-function space complete with strikingviews of Loch Lomond. The ballroom is
intended to host large gatherings including
weddings and corporate functions with space
for more than 350 guests or upwards of 400 in
a theatre or reception style arrangement.
Due to be completed by summer 2021, the
extension will include the 68 bedrooms on
the three upper floors, most featuring large
balconies with loch-facing views. A large
outdoor terrace on the lower ground floor
will create an external space for smaller events
with views of Loch Lomond and the hills.
After completion of its restoration after its
fire, Cameron House Hotel will re-open in
late 2020 and will offer five-star facilities and a
notable function venue.
Andy Roger, the Cameron House resort
director, said: “The proposed extension
will maximise the stunning views of
Loch Lomond whilst fully respecting the
architectural integrity of the original house.
The plans include a new loch-facing ballroom
and 68 bedrooms, which will adjoin the
hotel’s existing leisure wing. This will bring
the resort’s total offering to 208 bedrooms,2020 is shaping to be a big
year for tourism businesses
particularly as Scotland
celebrates its Year of
Coasts and Waters
David Adams McGilp, VisitScotlandCameron House is investing £17.5m in an extension
due to be completed next year that will create a
loch-facing ballroom and 68 bedroomsInvest in a brighter future -
choose East Dunbartonshire http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/business