My Future's in Falkirk
Since 2002, the My Future’s in Falkirk (MFiF) initiative has been the catalyst for the completion of a number of physical projects. Examples include the Falkirk Stadium, Grangemouth Technology Park and business incubation units in Grangemouth and Denny. Preferred development partners have been appointed for the Falkirk Gateway, one of Scotland’s largest commercial and non-food retail developments, and for the £150 million regeneration of Bo’ness Town Centre, foreshore and harbour area.
Other major MFiF projects being actively progressed include:
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the EcoPark which will provide a bio-diverse countryside and recreational asset on the eastern approach to Falkirk
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the Falkirk Business Panel
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local and national marketing and PR campaigns
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the redevelopment of the former Rosebank Distillery site
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the National Festival Site at Callendar Park and the associated Creation Centre
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the Scottish e-Skills Academy.
The area’s unemployment rate is 3.3%, the lowest for some considerable number of years.
As a direct result of the success of the Falkirk Wheel as a tourist attraction, tourism expenditure has increased by £13 million over the last three years and the sector now supports over 1,800 local jobs.
Major events and facilities
Investment in major events and facilities has resulted in a growing number of visits to the area. ‘Big in Falkirk’ attracted an audience of in excess of 100,000 over one weekend in May 2005. Other events such as the ‘Way to Blue’ Music Festival are attracting a growing audience of younger visitors. On the leisure side the Grangemouth Stadium, which is designated as Scotland’s National Indoor Athletics Academy, is a prime location for hosting national and international athletics events. A new Community Stadium has opened in Falkirk, providing a venue for a wide variety of activities, as well as being the home of Falkirk Football Club.
The area is becoming more and more attractive as a place in which to live. Demand for housing is at an all time high as evidenced by the developments in Falkirk, Larbert and Bo’ness.
The town of Falkirk continues to be the best performing retail centre outside the country’s four main cities with 185,000 square metres of retail space supporting some 7,300 jobs.