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New Report Details Scotland’s Healthiest Areas for Business Growth
Scotland’s main cities were found host most industrial growth, but were closely followed by less-densely populated areas.
Three out of the top five Scottish Parliament constituencies with the fastest growing businesses communities are in Edinburgh, according to a new report issued by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The report forms part of the FSB’s campaign to find Scotland’s ‘best smaller firms’ as part of the Small Business Awards 2018.
The investigation has two categories – constituencies with the largest business population and constituencies with the biggest business growth between 2010 and 2016. Edinburgh’s Pentlands constituency won the top spot as proportionally the healthiest area in Scotland for business growth, while Edinburgh Central hosts the largest number of firms overall.
The results are as follows:
| Rank | Constituency | NUMBER OF BUSINESSES
(2016) |
Rank | Constituency | BUSINESS GROWTH (2010 TO 2016) | |
| 1 | Edinburgh Central | 7,065 | 1 | Edinburgh Pentlands | 48% | |
| 2 | Glasgow Kelvin | 6,715 | 2 | Glasgow Provan | 43% | |
| 3 | Aberdeenshire West | 4,720 | 3 | Edinburgh Eastern | 40% | |
| 4 | Aberdeen Central | 4,260 | 4 | Edinburgh Northern and Leith | 37% | |
| 5 | Aberdeenshire East | 4,205 | 5 | Glasgow Anniesland | 35% | |
| 6 | Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch | 3,900 | 6 | Aberdeen South and North Kincardine | 31% | |
| 7 | Caithness, Sutherland and Ross | 3,885 | 7 | Motherwell and Wishaw | 31% | |
| 8 | Banffshire and Buchan Coast | 3,465 | 8 (=) | Strathkelvin and Bearsden | 30% | |
| 9 | Aberdeen South and North Kincardine | 3,295 | 8 (=) | Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse | 30% | |
| 10 | Stirling | 3,270 | 8 (=) | Edinburgh Western | 30% | |
| 8 (=) | Almond Valley | 30% | ||||
| 8 (=) | Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn | 30% | ||||
| 8 (=) | Cumbernauld and Kilsyth | 30% |
Andy Willox, Scottish Policy Convenor of the FSB, noted the surprising lack of variance between the regions. Willox said: “While you might expect densely populated wealthy areas to have a large business population, it is interesting to see so many traditionally less affluent areas snapping at their heels.
“No matter their party or geography, Scotland’s MSPs know the vital contribution that smaller firms make to their constituencies’ economies and local communities. But we know that some in business are too modest for their own good. That’s why we’re launching these awards to find the best small business talent.”
Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, praised the work of his constituents and the SNP for their business initiatives. MacDonald said: “It is fantastic to see that the business community in my constituency has grown faster than any other area of the country over the last six years.
“The SNP Government’s efforts to support small businesses, through initiatives such as the small business bonus, taking thousands of businesses out of rates altogether, has undoubtedly been a key part of this – as has the increased influence of our leading universities in the constituency, at Heriot-Watt and Napier, while Edinburgh’s traditional business district grows.”
Ruth Davidson, Leader of Scottish Conservatives and Edinburgh Central MSP echoed MacDonald’s sentiments: “It’s great to see Edinburgh Central top the list as Scotland’s most enterprising constituency and it confirms the capital’s reputation as a world-leading destination and a global financial powerhouse.
“Like all cities across the UK, the last few years have been challenging, but firms across Edinburgh have shown real resilience to keep going. With so much redevelopment now on track across the city, the future looks set fair.”
