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Barclays - Economic Investment in Kilmarnock


theboyjohnston

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Not sure why they chose the town but welcome announcement!

 

From BBC

Barclays has announced the launch of a three-year economic growth initiative in Kilmarnock.

The bank said it planned to introduce "bespoke programmes and support" to help business growth, skills and training in the East Ayrshire town.

It will conduct a study to identify how to boost the local economy.

It is the second of four pilot schemes the bank has planned around the UK, having launched its first initiative in Bury, Greater Manchester, last year.

Barclays said it would "join forces" with local leaders across government, business and education as part of its Thriving Local Economies scheme.

 

It aims to boost the aspirations and skills of children and adults in the town to "help them be ready for the future world of work, and match the skills that businesses nationwide are seeking".

From August this year, all secondary schools in Kilmarnock will have access to the bank's LifeSkills programme, which aims to equip people with skills they need for the world of work.

The bank will also provide support for start-ups, development and growth of small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs

'Investment in opportunities'

Barclays chief executive Jes Staley said: "If we want businesses and our economy to grow, and our young people to succeed, then we need to ensure investment in opportunities takes place not just in big cities, but also in communities like Kilmarnock, so that they can become the engine rooms of job creation and growth."

UK government minister Lord Duncan said: "Projects like this can work well alongside UK government initiatives underway to create opportunities, jobs and long-term growth right across Scotland.

"This includes our modern Industrial Strategy and the £1.35bn we have committed through the city and growth deals."

Scottish Economy Secretary Derek Mackay said: "Areas like Kilmarnock, just like all parts of Scotland, need the right conditions for sustainable economic growth.

"That means skills and people alongside the right assets, infrastructure and investment, working together in partnership to deliver a more successful economy - and that's why I welcome this partnership."

 

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1 hour ago, theboyjohnston said:

Not sure why they chose the town but welcome announcement!

Good news, the town has a lot of potential.

Listened to the boy from Barclays on BBC Radio Scotland talking enthusiastically about it this morning. He managed to get the word "Kilmarnock" into every 3rd sentence in his interview. Obviously knew his job was to sell the place as much as the idea.

Not sure why they should choose K/K rather than a number of other similar places in Scotland but who cares.

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These programs have been in place in East Ayrshire for over ten years, there are thousands of people in Kilmarnock who hold the skills offered, what is required is for businesses to relocate out of Glasgow and Edinburgh, look at the M77 every day in life, chockablock with people travelling to work in Glasgow, while purpose built units are positioned all over Ayrshire, and sit empty.

Think of the Green effect of people working closer to their homes, think of the regeneration of the High Streets as money becomes available in the locality.

Why Kilmarnock? Possibly because it meets the criteria and it’s position in the league of towns in multiple deprivation makes gaining access to charitable funding much more straightforward.

Just to show how difficult it is to get the big shops back , a leading Department store was offered free rates in Killie a few years back but refuted the offer as they were worried that their footfall in Silverburn would be seriously affected and they pay high rates there.

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14 minutes ago, killie billies pal said:

Why Kilmarnock? Possibly because it meets the criteria and it’s position in the league of towns in multiple deprivation makes gaining access to charitable funding much more straightforward.

It is very accessible through the M77 (10-25 minutes from Glasgow City Centre if you're not too fixated with the speed limits) and there is scope to improve and or speed up rail links.

And it is also home to the greatest football team in the world. What's not to like?

 

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1 hour ago, gdevoy said:

It is very accessible through the M77 (10-25 minutes from Glasgow City Centre if you're not too fixated with the speed limits) and there is scope to improve and or speed up rail links.

And it is also home to the greatest football team in the world. What's not to like?

 

Biggest drawback for me is the connection to the M74, A71 in particular is a slow road with very few overtaking opportunities. It is as quick going up to Glasgow to get on the M74. 

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10 minutes ago, Wrangodog said:

Biggest drawback for me is the connection to the M74, A71 in particular is a slow road with very few overtaking opportunities. It is as quick going up to Glasgow to get on the M74. 

Correct.

But turn off towards East Kilbride and onto the M74 at The Raith junction.

Only problems are the beep beep roundabouts in East Kilbride. :)

 

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