NEWS
WINTER 14
segment meeting again and are keen to play our part in stimulating demand. Scotland’s national brand is riding high following the successful staging of the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup, and for corporate meetings there has never been a better time to be associated with an event in the country,” adds Andrew. The delegate rate at EICC will be available from St Andrew’s Day, 30 November, 2014, and will remain in place until the end of 2015.
We want to get this market segment meeting again... and to stimulate demand >> The ups and downs of job creation Scotland’s first indoor trampoline park is bouncing into action in South Lanarkshire. Air Space, Europe’s largest freestyle jumping arena and the urban playground, features more than 100 interconnected, wall-to-wall trampolines – covering the same area as more than six basketball courts. Adventure company Go Ape has invested £2 million to open at Playsport in East Kilbride. The company has grown to 28 sites nationwide since the first course was launched in 2002. The development will provide 60 new jobs.
>> Pubs to get makeovers Graham and Rachel Bucknall, the husband and wife team behind the award-winning Bridge Inn at Ratho, near Edinburgh, have taken over two of Fife’s favourite pubs: The Ship Inn and The Golf Tavern in Elie. The Bucknalls will refurbish both properties, adding bedrooms to the Ship Inn and are keen to develop links with local food and drink producers. Graham Bucknall said: “Elie is a wonderful place to live, work and visit so we’re thrilled to be taking over two such outstanding businesses. With Fife’s strength in local food and drink, we’re looking forward to working with local farmers and producers to develop the menus. The area is already recognised as something of a foodie haven and we want to add to that, boosting growth by appealing to locals and visitors alike. It will take time but
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we hope by next Easter people will start to see some exciting changes.” The Bucknalls took over the Bridge Inn at Ratho in 2010 and since then the pub and restaurant has won numerous accolades. It was awarded the Best Pub in Scotland at the AA Hospitality Awards.
>> Corporate push Edinburgh International Conference Centre hopes to increase demand in the corporate meetings sector with the introduction of a targeted day delegate rate. Corporate meetings in the 150 to 400 delegates range qualify for the simplified buying process. EICC head of sales and marketing, Louise Andrew said: “Corporate sales meetings were early victims of recessionary pressure and they have been lagging behind the recovery in the wider economy. We want to get this market
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>> Ideal partners Menzies Distribution, the marketing and logistics specialist, has agreed a supply chain partnership with online group-buying platform RetailerSaver.com. The agreement will see Menzies manage the nationwide warehousing and fulfilment of products and stock for RetailerSaver.com, as well as the delivery of products to stores across the country. RetailerSaver.com is the UK’s first online purchasing group for independent retailers and was created to support high street traders by providing access to discounted rates secured through group buying power. RetailerSaver.com chief exectuive Jamie Burke said: “RetailerSaver was founded to help with the revival of the UK’s high street and provide a genuine alternative to ‘the big 3’ delivered wholesalers. An independent, healthy and local high street supports the retail market and keeps our town centres alive. It’s good for suppliers, retailers and consumers, so I am delighted to be working with a company such as Menzies Distribution who share in our desire to support local retailers.”
TOURISM SUPPLY CHAIN