Glasgow, Ambition and Equal Pay (16/11/18)
The Daily Record reports on ambitious development plans for the SEC (Scottish Event Campus) which is 91% owned by Glasgow City Council.
The article doesn't explain how the funds to finance a £200 million expansion plan will be raised, but let's just hope that the City Council is being just as imaginative when it comes to finding the money needed to resolve its long running equal pay dispute.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/sec-glasgow-submits-200million-expansion-13595843
SEC Glasgow submits £200million expansion plan to create 'truly unique event campus'
The Glasgow site already includes the SSE Hydro - but vows the new development would generate £300m extra benefit.
By Paul Ward
Scottish Events Campus bosses have drawn up massive expansion plans (Image: SEC/PA Wire)
A £200 million plan has been drawn up to expand the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
The Glasgow site already includes the SSE Hydro and a conference centre, and management now wants to create more meeting areas, outdoor space and a dedicated entrance to enable the venue to host "the world's top conferences, exhibitions and events".
Principle planning permission has been submitted and SEC said the development would generate almost £300 million extra economic benefit to Glasgow, Scotland and the UK.
SEC is seeking financial support for the project but said there would be an "economic payback for the taxpayer between five and seven years".
A £200 million plan has been drawn up to expand the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
The Glasgow site already includes the SSE Hydro and a conference centre, and management now wants to create more meeting areas, outdoor space and a dedicated entrance to enable the venue to host "the world's top conferences, exhibitions and events".
Principle planning permission has been submitted and SEC said the development would generate almost £300 million extra economic benefit to Glasgow, Scotland and the UK.
SEC is seeking financial support for the project but said there would be an "economic payback for the taxpayer between five and seven years".
The SEC already incorporates the incredibly successful SSE Hydro (Image: Getty Images)
SEC finance and development director Billy McFadyen said: "The SEC currently offers Glasgow and Scotland a solution to stage conferences of varying sizes. However, competition worldwide is robust and constantly evolving.
"In order to maintain this level of success we need to invest in our product to ensure we have the best facilities. The plans for this expansion will fulfil this and create a truly unique UK event campus which will be world class.
"During the past two decades, Glasgow and the SEC have succeeded in the conference market and strong, city-wide partnerships have been instrumental in securing business.
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"It is widely recognised that events drive immediate economic benefit of scale for cities and countries. Conferences and exhibitions in particular provide a catalyst for further long-term economic benefit. The focus now is to secure funding support for the project which will be of significant benefit to Glasgow, Scotland and the UK's economy".
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick said: "The SEC constantly secures a stream of major conferences and is an enormous asset to the city, keeping Glasgow firmly on the world stage.
"But in a highly competitive sector venues must constantly evolve, and this imaginative planned expansion will help ensure the city's share of the conference and exhibition markets continues to grow."
SEC finance and development director Billy McFadyen said: "The SEC currently offers Glasgow and Scotland a solution to stage conferences of varying sizes. However, competition worldwide is robust and constantly evolving.
"In order to maintain this level of success we need to invest in our product to ensure we have the best facilities. The plans for this expansion will fulfil this and create a truly unique UK event campus which will be world class.
"During the past two decades, Glasgow and the SEC have succeeded in the conference market and strong, city-wide partnerships have been instrumental in securing business.
"It is widely recognised that events drive immediate economic benefit of scale for cities and countries. Conferences and exhibitions in particular provide a catalyst for further long-term economic benefit. The focus now is to secure funding support for the project which will be of significant benefit to Glasgow, Scotland and the UK's economy".
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick said: "The SEC constantly secures a stream of major conferences and is an enormous asset to the city, keeping Glasgow firmly on the world stage.
"But in a highly competitive sector venues must constantly evolve, and this imaginative planned expansion will help ensure the city's share of the conference and exhibition markets continues to grow."
