BUSINESS INVESTMENT SHOWS JOB GAINS IN WEST LOTHIAN

West Lothian, at the hub of the Scottish economy in Central Scotland, has welcomed the news that, despite the recession, the latest employment figures show that the area has gained 1,000 new jobs.

The figures come from the Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES), released 8 Dec 2010. http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/526.aspx

According to these stats, West Lothian jobs in 2009 were at 80,321 compared to 79,302 in 2008.

The area has seen a number of positive developments in recent months. At Starlaw Park, Bathgate Glen Turner opened its new whisky distillery, and specialist ink firm Paragon Inks began the construction of a brand new, bespoke £3.5million 23,000 square foot manufacturing facility, which will allow them to triple their present production.

On Livingston’s Alba Campus, Glenmorangie opened their new whisky bottling plant, and biotechnology company Quintiles saw the opening of their new laboratory.

Strengthening the area’s retail sector, the new Sainsbury’s store opened in Almondvale, Livingston in time for Christmas trading, and Dobbies began work on their new £8million garden centre at Houston Mains, on track to open this Spring. Site work is also underway for the eagerly awaited Primark store in Livingston’s Centre.

Other firms growing in the area include Schuh who have announced significant expansion plans, and satellite broadcaster BSkyB - which employs over 4,000 people in Livingston - announced that it has passed its target of reaching 10 million customers. Fibre Photonics, Helia Photonics, AB Simulation and Balfour Beatty Rail Track are also finding a supportive environment for expansion in West Lothian.

West Lothian welcomed new business arrivals Epistemy and Optoscribe - winners of the Innovation Challenge -– who moved into the Alba Innovation Centre. Other new arrivals include Nisa Today, Planet of UK and Batt Cables Plc.
A local infrastructure development of significance across Central Scotland was the opening of the new Bathgate – Airdrie rail link in December. The new route allows passengers to travel direct to West Lothian from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Access to West Lothian from Glasgow and West Central Scotland will be further enhanced by the upgrading of a six-mile stretch of the A8 in North Lanarkshire to motorway status. Ministers have given the go-ahead and it is hoped tenders for the work will be approved in 2011/2012.