FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

 

More than 200 developments worth £5.5 billion (€6.25b) are planned along the rejuvenated River Clyde waterfront over the next 15 to 20 years. In addition, more than  £500 million (€570m) is planned on venues and infrastructure for the Games, and more than 2,400 new hotel rooms – many of them five-star with adjoining conference facilities – will be built in the next two years.

 

Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “Market conditions are tough, but I am delighted to say that Glasgow is still firing on all cylinders with investors continuing to show great confidence in the city.

 

“One of Glasgow’s great market advantages is that a number of absolutely key transport and infrastructure developments must go ahead because of the Commonwealth Games. Investors know that Glasgow is going places, which is why they are pressing ahead with plans to open some really stunning new hotels which will be a major addition to our offer for conferences.”

 

Among the major developments scheduled are:

 

There has never been a better time to book a conference in Glasgow. The weakness of the pound against the Euro and the dollar means it is effectively 20% cheaper to book a meeting in Glasgow now compared to two years ago.

 

Clients booking the SECC from the Euro zone or America can take advantage of the weakness of Sterling. Those who contract now with the SECC in Euros or dollars will be given a guaranteed price at today’s favourable exchange rates.

 

Ben Goedegebuure, Director of Sales at the SECC said: “We are remaining sympathetic to economic fluctuation, to ensure parity with international visitors to the SECC, and we are running a number of successful initiatives targeted towards our clients across Europe and North America.”

 

Glasgow City Council has unveiled a range of measures to help developers keep on building in the city through the recession. These include a relaxation of the planning process, offering developers staged payments, joint ventures and profit shares, and a £3.7 million (€4.2m) fund for developers facing financing problems.

 

Glasgow’s ‘can-do’ attitude to inward investment, its friendly people and its vibrant cultural scene have earned the city glowing tributes from the worlds of business, tourism and conventions in recent years.

 

Announcing its second Jury’s Inn, the company’s CEO John Brennan said this year: “It is a significant vote of confidence in Glasgow that we can announce plans for a new hotel in today’s challenging economic climate.”

When insurance giant esure announced this year it is creating an extra 500 jobs in the city, its chairman Peter Wood said: “The combination of excellent people, superb infrastructure and a can-do ethic makes this a perfect place to do business, and I cannot understand why anyone with telephone and internet-centered businesses would choose anywhere else."

The Convention Bureau at GCMB has been voted the Best Convention Bureau in the UK for third year running by Meetings + Incentive Travel Magazine while the SECC has been voted best UK Convention Bureau two years running in the same awards. And Lonely Planet has named Glasgow as one of the top ten cities in the world to visit in 2009.

 

 

May 2009