Can you believe our beloved Scottish Event Campus (SEC) is celebrating the big 4-0?
I couldn’t believe it when I heard it was marking the anniversary of being officially opened by The Queen in November 1985.
I remember the days when it was known as the SECC – the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre – until its newer and catchier rebrand.
What a long way it has come, growing in size over four decades and becoming a key driver for the Scottish economy.
It’s the cultural heart of Scotland and I reckon a very high percentage of Scots will have been through its doors, whether for a business opportunity, to see their favourite musician or attend one of its many exhibitions.
It’s also a fantastic example of a business which has adapted to challenges and opportunities to stay relevant, maximise revenue and ensure Scotland has the facilities to welcome world-class events and performers.
Comprising five halls, by the end of its first year, it was Scotland’s most visited attractions, welcoming an incredible 1.5 million visitors every year.
In 1990 when Glasgow was the European City of Culture, the SEC played a starring role, hosting performances by Pavarotti and The Bolshoi Opera and Ballet. By 1993 an economic impact assessment revealed business staged at the venue generated a whopping £49m for the Glasgow economy.
Mirroring the economic growth, the campus grew in size in 1997 with the addition of the SEC Armadillo – a now iconic feature of the Clyde’s skyline.
And that growth continued. In 1999 Glasgow was crowned City of Architecture and Design and the one and only Vivienne Westwood chose to unveil her latest fashion collection at the venue. That year, conference turnover was up 43 per cent on the previous year, and concerts up 25 per cent.
By 2007, an economic impact study found that the SEC contributed £347m to the Glasgow economy; £216m to the Scottish economy and £109m to the UK economy that year.
The OVO Hydro became a new addition to the Scottish Event Campus in 2013 and by the following year, was named by Pollstar as one of the top three global arenas and also won several architectural awards.
While the Armadillo and Hydro were the most significant additions, there has been continued investment in the SEC over the years to ensure its facilities have continued to meet the needs and expectations of its clientele.
This is why these venues remain attractive, competitive and continue to put Scotland on the map for huge events that attract visitors and capture global attention.
Highlights have included the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2014 MTV European Awards, the Glasgow 2018 European Championships Gymnastics and COP26.
The OVO Hydro has attracted international superstars including Prince, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Madonna, Adele and Elton John.
And it’s not just the glamourous international events and performances that put our city in the spotlight. The SEC’s conferences and exhibitions make the city the backdrop for industry advancements, trade shows, key international discussions, and news on medical advancements.
During the pandemic, while the events industry suffered greatly alongside many other sectors, the SEC transformed into a temporary hospital, the NHS Louisa Jordan, adapting to the unprecedented situation and serving a positive and meaningful purpose as we navigated the impact of Covid. Thousands of patients had consultations for a range of services including orthopaedics, plastic surgery and dermatology.
Even the space which the SEC occupies is poignant, sitting on land which used to be integral to the shipbuilding industry, and today continuing to evolve and keep Glasgow relevant and thriving.
The SEC has revived the area, creating a cultural hub and creating a profitable income driver for the city and Scotland.
SMART PLAN FOR STORAGE COMPLEX
Submitting a planning application can often a complex process but also a vital one in ensuring spaces are well thought out and will have positive impact.
My company, SRA Ventures Limited, has submitted plans to evolve our £1 million investment in the former Police Station site in my hometown of Alloa into a high-tech self-storage and smart workplace hub.
Following our successful first application in June to convert the building into a modern self-storage facility, we now hope to introduce pioneering Stronghold modular units in the yard area.
Using advanced materials and integrated digital locking, these units would provide state-of-the-art storage for local firms and tradespeople.
There has been the odd bump in the road, as there often can be – with some confusion over the initial application wording describing the modular buildings as storage containers which doesn’t do these modern structures justice, so this has now been updated.
If approved, this development would be a long-term commitment to Alloa, establishing the town as the base for a Locked Self Storage UK headquarters that would create a model for similar projects across Scotland and the UK.
It would generate local jobs during construction and operation, support small businesses, and revitalise a landmark town-centre site.
I really hope the town’s decision-makers support this project. Alloa deserves to be at the forefront of this innovative development which will bring jobs and investment to the town.
TRAITORS ENHANCE COUNTRY
After weeks of backstabbing and betrayal, the celebrity edition of The Traitors has concluded.
Given the show’s cut-throat nature, I had to laugh when I learned that this series known for deception and despair has in fact done some real good – providing a huge boost to the Scottish economy.
The show, which is filmed at Ardross Castle in the Highlands, has reportedly contributed more than £21m to the Scottish economy, thanks to creating production jobs and increased tourism.
Scotland has become a real hotspot as a TV and film location and it’s fantastic to see that our beautiful landscapes are being broadcast across the globe.
Hopefully, the BBC can stay faithful to supporting Scottish jobs as this trending TV tour de force continues to plot in Scotland.
Rockstar Games layoffs in Edinburgh
Only a few weeks ago, I discussed the many career opportunities the video game industry has in Scotland – a topic which has continued to play with my emotions this week.
Developer titans Rockstar Games in Edinburgh, the creators behind multi-billion pound franchises such as Grand Theft Auto, are under pressure to reinstate the 31 workers that it let go recently. Unions and current employees joined those who lost their jobs in protests outside the offices.
Here’s hoping a resolution can be found. It’s such an important sector and we don’t want to lose the talented people helping it to thrive.
