IT’S official – Scots can’t live without their home comforts and will pack delicacies like tattie scones and Tunnocks Teacakes in their holiday suitcases.

A survey of passengers at Glasgow Airport has also revealed that Irn Bru and square sausage are the items holidaymakers miss the most.

In Scotland Irn Bru has been the drink of choice for many years, but now it seems Scots are desperate to get home to it, along with other favourites square sausage and tattie scones.

Thanks to Tesco Glasgow Airport passengers will soon be able to stock up on those edible essentials and relieve the holiday hankerings, with the UK’s largest retailer announcing plans to open their first airport store later this year.

In a further boost for passengers the prices at the new airport store will be the same great High Street Tesco Express prices. The store will be open round the clock and will offer a wide range of goods similar to those seen in Tesco Express stores across the country.

Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: “This survey confirms that Scots go straight for the things they miss as soon as they land at Glasgow, so this new store will provide an ideal chance to grab them on the way home.

“I’m very proud that Tesco, which is one of the strongest brands around, have chosen to open their first airport store here at Glasgow Airport. It means a huge improvement in the choice available to our passengers and staff in the terminal.”

Tony McElroy, Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be opening a new Tesco Express store at Glasgow Airport, which will allow us to cater for those holidaymakers arriving home and looking for a fantastic range of Scottish favourites at a great Tesco price.

“Our Express stores stock a wide range of everyday essentials with a focus on fresh foods and convenience shopping. Our Glasgow Airport store will have the same great range and prices as a regular Tesco Express store you would find across Scotland’s High Streets.”

More than a third of those interviewed at Glasgow Airport named Irn Bru as the tonic they longed to return home to, with the poll also finding Scottish breakfast ingredients to be popular with passengers.

Square sausage came a close second, with haggis and tattie scones in third and fifth place.

Travellers have also admitted their appreciation of the Tunnocks Tea Cake and voted it the fourth most popular item they look forward to on returning home.

The top five favourites with Glasgow passengers are:

1 Irn Bru
2 Square sausage
3 Haggis
4 Tunnocks Teacakes
5 Tattie scone

http://www.glasgowairport.com/

Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer, has chosen Glasgow as the location for its first airport store.

A new Tesco Express store will open in the domestic arrivals area of Glasgow Airport later this year.

The products on sale will reflect the needs of passengers returning from holiday and business travellers who need to stock up before heading home, as well as departing passengers and airport staff.

The store will be open round the clock and will offer a wide range of goods similar to those seen in Tesco Express stores across the country including dairy products, ready meals, breads, sandwiches, snacks and drinks.

Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: “This is great news and I’m very proud that Tesco, which is undoubtedly one of the strongest brands around today, have chosen to open their first airport store here at Glasgow Airport.

“Tesco’s presence will totally transform a prominent space in the domestic arrivals area, and improve the overall choice available to our passengers and staff in the terminal.”

Tony McElroy, Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager said: “We are delighted to be making this investment at Glasgow Airport. The new store will bring around twenty new jobs and is a first for Tesco at an airport location.

“Our Express stores stock a wide range of everyday essentials with a focus on fresh foods and convenience shopping.

“Our Glasgow Airport store will have the same great range and prices as the Tesco Express stores you find in Scotland’s High Streets, and it will enable travellers arriving in Glasgow to pick up those essential items before heading home.

“Across Scotland we are investing and creating jobs – this latest Tesco Express store in Glasgow Airport is a great example of our continued commitment to keeping our business fresh and trying new ideas.”

http://www.glasgowairport.com/

Top cyclists from around the UK are gearing up for a national cycling championship event returning to Renfrewshire later this month.

The Scottish Cycling Circuit Race and Youth Road Race will be held at Erskine waterfront on Saturday 21 August following the success of the event being held there for the first time in 2009.
Cyclists, ranging from under 8s to the fastest adult riders in the country will compete in their respective categories on this fast and technical course.

There will also be a host of entertainment and activities on offer for spectators coming along to enjoy the thrill of the races.

Internationally renowned stunt riders Danny McAskill and The Clan will once again be displaying their skills, while Marc Martin from Real Radio will be on site with a roadshow. There will also be a Scottish Cycling Go-Ride area, information stalls, cycling surgery and activities for children.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Policy Board, said: “Last year was the first time the Circuit Race Championship came to Renfrewshire and was such a hit with cyclists and organisers that they were keen to come back.

“This is a major cycling event which brings competitors and spectators from all over the country. It is also a fantastic, fun family day out which will be bigger and better than last year with more races, entertainment and activities on offer on the day.”

As well as the Scottish Cycling Circuit Race, Renfrewshire Council’s youth service is running a Youth Services Cycle Challenge on Friday 20 August for 10 to 18 year olds.

This free event includes races for under 12s, 14s, and 16s on the Scottish Cycling Circuit Race course. There will also be a mobile skatepark for skateboards and BMX, and a bike skills challenge. All bikes, BMX, skateboards and safety equipments will be provided.

The Youth Services Cycling Challenge takes place on Friday 20 August between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. For more information contact Michael Wood, Sport Development Officer, Youth Services on 0141 840 1110.

The Scottish Cycling Circuit Race takes place on Saturday 21 August from 12pm.

Races will start and finish at Kilpatrick Drive, Erskine, north of the Bridgewater shopping centre and Erskine sports centre. As parking is limited in this area a free shuttle bus will run from Paisley town centre, at Gauze St (nearest Paisley Town Hall) to Erskine Harbour on the hour from 10am and will leave Erskine half past the hour until 5.30pm.

On Saturday free parking is available in Paisley town centre at Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley.

Free parking in Erskine is also available at Park Mains High School.

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

all images taken by Paisleyphotographs

Recently completed Westpoint business park will soon be welcoming its first occupier after the signing of a 10-year lease for more than 5,000 sq ft by a local shipping company.

Songa Shipmanagement Ltd, part of the Norwegian-based Blystad Shipping group, is the first occupier to take space at the Westpoint Business Park in Paisley, created by the Cart Corridor Joint Venture Company and delivered by global property group Goodman.

Songa’s 25 staff will relocate from Glasgow Airport Business Park in July 2010 to occupy the whole of Building 2 (5,216 sq ft) at Westpoint with 22 car parking spaces at a cost of £15.50 per sq ft.

Westpoint offers a flexible office environment and it’s close proximity to Glasgow International Airport and the M8 makes it an attractive location for both local businesses and those trading internationally. The business park is the first stage of a wider mixed-use regeneration scheme, which when completed will also incorporate modern community facilities and residential developments.

Niall McGilp, Goodman’s Regional Development Director in Scotland, said: “The arrival of Songa at the Westpoint Business Park is an important milestone for what is a significant investment into the regeneration of this part of Renfrewshire.

“Due to the site’s excellent location on junction 28 of the M8 and the significant investment in the area, there has been a strong level of interest in Westpoint. Songa’s arrival is the first in what we hope to be a series of good news stories for the business park.
“We look forward to welcoming the staff at Songa and making their move into the building as seamless as possible.”

From its building at Westpoint, Songa will be responsible for the operation of the company’s 25 strong fleet of vessels located throughout the world.

Stuart Gallagher at Songa Shipmanagement Ltd, said: “We are more than delighted with the standard of building provided. Due to our expansion it was deemed necessary to source new good quality premises and the assistance provide by both Goodman and Renfrewshire Council greatly assisted us in securing these premises.”

Council Leader Derek Mackay welcomed Songa Shipmanagement Limited to Renfrewshire commenting that he was “glad that we were able to help with an economic development support package and hoped that this would be the first of many new businesses attracted to the superb accommodation now available at Westpoint Business Park, adjacent to Glasgow International Airport.”

The Westpoint Business Park was opened by John Swinney MSP, cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth, in September 2009. Phase one of the park comprises 50,000 sq feet of modern office accommodation spread across five buildings; when fully developed, Westpoint Business Park will extend to over 200,000 sq.ft. of new business space.

Tim Jacobsen, Associate at property agents Ryden, added: “Securing Songa as the first occupier is excellent news for the park and the wider area. The high quality office accommodation on offer is well received by occupiers and is attracting a good amount of interest.”

The site was developed as part of a unique public/private sector partnership comprising Renfrewshire Council, Scottish Enterprise, RBS and Goodman.

As part of an ‘Eco Week’ last month, pupils from Paisley Grammar School visited Barshaw Park, to assist with Renfrewshire Council’s Clean Renfrewshire Campaign. Paisley Grammar is just one of the many schools and community groups that are continuing to keep Renfrewshire clean and tidy following the success of Clean Renfrewshire’s Big Spring Clean Campaign earlier this year.

More than 20 pupils, aged between 13 and 15, from Paisley Grammar’s Eco Committee took to the park in a bid to help remove litter. This was just one of the many initiatives the pupils came up with as part of their Eco Week, others included an eco energy project and a tidy up of the school garden.

With the help of the Renfrewshire Wardens and local Campus Police officer Bart Simonis, the eco friendly pupils managed to collect a massive 6 bags of litter, which is equivalent to approximately a tonne of waste.

Cllr Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Policy Board, said:
“The continual support from community groups, such as Paisley Grammar School, towards the Clean Renfrewshire campaign demonstrates the enthusiasm and dedication from people of all ages across Renfrewshire.

“We are delighted that the partnership, between Renfrewshire Council’s Clean Renfrewshire team and Strathclyde Police, is working to educate pupils on the importance of keeping their community clean.

“Since its launch in 2008, these individuals and community groups have significantly contributed to the success of the campaign and I am confident that we can continue this momentum with their support. I would like to encourage everybody to get on board and take responsibility to help ensure Renfrewshire is a clean and tidy place to live, work and visit.”

As part of Eco Week, pupils were also given an educational talk by the Environmental Service Graffiti Team, on the problems caused by graffiti. This included a demonstration as to how graffiti is removed. By working together, Renfrewshire Council and Strathclyde Police hope to educate pupils of the repercussions negative actions, like littering and graffiti, have on the community.

Bart Simonis, Campus Police Officer at Paisley Grammar School added;
“The clean up arranged with Renfrewshire Council was a fantastic way to illustrate to the pupils the importance of not dropping litter. The initiative is a great way to teach pupils important messages whilst still having fun.

“This zero tolerance approach to litter and graffiti is in keeping with the school’s environmental ethos. As well as dedicating a week to environmentally friendly activities, the school is part of the ECO Schools Scotland award system. The school understands that by supporting the Clean Renfrewshire campaign, they are educating the children now, in the hope that they won’t have these issues in the future.

“The anti-graffiti discussion from the Environmental Service Graffiti Team really got the pupils thinking. Prior to the talk, many of the pupils would never have thought about the cost of removing graffiti and where that money comes from. Looking after our local surroundings is important and everyone should take responsibility for it. We hope the pupils take this message with them wherever they go.”

To reinforce the activity being carried out by individuals and groups, the Clean Renfrewshire campaign introduced the Renfrewshire Wardens Service last year to increase further awareness about the need to maintain a clean environment. As part of their wider community role, the Wardens also have the power to issue £50 fixed penalty notices for littering and £40 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling to those who continue to drop litter or allow their dogs to foul the county’s streets and parks, demonstrating that Clean Renfrewshire means business.

Glasgow Airport is delighted to announce the appointment of Francois Bourienne as Commercial Director.

Francois will take charge of the airport’s Commercial Team, and assume responsibility for growing all aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue streams including retail, property and car parking.

He joins from the Nuance Group (TNG), one of the world’s leading airport retail companies, after spending four years at their European headquarters in Zurich. Francois, who is 34, has relocated to the West End of Glasgow with his wife Sheila and is looking forward to the challenges of a new role, city, lifestyle and culture.

He said: “I think the airport and the city have huge potential. There is a large catchment area and a strong tradition of long-haul and leisure flights, however I strongly believe that we must target more European city routes and routes that have inbound potential. We want people to start their journey in Scotland at Glasgow!”

Francois believes moving from an airport retailer to the ‘landlord’ gives him a unique insight and added: “The commercial side of the business also has huge growth potential and I believe that my previous experience will prove important during negotiations.”

Francois hails from Normandy and graduated from Lyon EM Business School where he specialised in finance and law. Thereafter he worked with strategy consulting firms Ormis and Accenture before studying for an MBA at INSEAD. He then worked for Bain and Company in Paris and joined TNG in Zurich in 2006.

Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, is delighted to have Francois on board. She said: “This is a fantastic appointment for Glasgow Airport as Francois has a very impressive track record with experience of both strategic and operational roles.

“I am convinced he has the drive and energy to succeed as Commercial Director by not only expanding our route network, but also by freshening up the other commercial areas of the business with some new ideas.”

Francois is currently holding a series of meetings with his new team and other senior operational managers at the airport so that he gains a detailed understanding of the opportunities and issues surrounding the business at this point in time.

He said: “Glasgow Airport has a reputation for operational excellence and a strong and experienced management team. I have also noticed a lot of positive energy in the commercial team, and hopefully I can add a new dimension to that.”

www.glasgowairport.com
www.twitter.com/GLA_Airport

More details have been revealed on plans for a new multi-million pound secondary school in Renfrewshire.

A planning application has been submitted to Renfrewshire Council for the new Park Mains High School in Erskine.

The £33million school forms a key part of Renfrewshire Council’s ‘Building Better Communities’ programme which will see a £92million investment in education, leisure and community facilities across Renfrewshire.

The school will be built on the site of the existing Park Mains High which has a current school roll of 1350 pupils. Pupils attend not only from Erskine but also the surrounding villages of Bishopton, Inchinnan and Langbank.

Construction work is set to begin early in 2011 with the school expected to open in August 2012.

A three storey main building defined by a strong brickwork grid is joined by a two storey management and administration building clad in Terne coated stainless steel.

The innovative design features a teaching space arranged across 3 levels and a range of enhanced PE facilities. Those include a four court games hall, gymnasium, and dance studio and fitness suite with associated changing areas.

A multi-use assembly hall has a main stage and tiered stadium style seating which has been designed to accommodate local community activities including drama and theatre.

A central atrium, flooded with natural light, which can be used as a dining and social area. This would open on to an outside seating area and playground terraces.

A series of ‘break out’ spaces outside classrooms will help provide different types of learning environments. There is also scope for more flexible use of classroom space.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “The completion of the design stage and the formal submission of the planning application mark an important milestone in the development of the new Park Mains High school.

“The application is currently being considered by planning officials and is likely to be decided on by the council’s Planning and Economic Policy Development Policy Board in the next couple of months.”

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

Teenagers from all over Renfrewshire flocked to the home of St Mirren to play in a street football tournament and back the launch of a national knife crime campaign.
Hundreds of young people attended the Safer and Stronger Street Football Tournament at St Mirren Park to play in the five-a-side tournament and enjoy a host of other activities including, skateboarding, climbing walls, basketball, Renfrewshire youth bus and youth gym bus.
The event was also attended by Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill who joined members of Renfrewshire Youth Voice to launch the local No Knives Better Lives campaign on the day.
No Knives, Better Lives is a national youth engagement initiative which aims to give young people good reasons not to carry a knife, showing them that it’s not worth the risks or consequences, and helping to shape positive attitudes and influencing positive life choices by promoting diversionary activities.

Mr MacAskill said: “We are working in partnership with the council, police, schools and young people in Renfrewshire to create a very local No Knives Better Lives campaign that is tailored to the community and supporting the good work they are already doing.

“Far too many lives are lost and people injured though mindless acts of violence – often because of the knife culture that blights some communities. That is why we are working to change the culture around violence in Scotland.”

The initiative is being rolled out to Renfrewshire after a successful pilot in Inverclyde and launches in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Clackmannanshire this month.

The programme will be championed locally by Renfrewshire Youth Voice (RYV), which provides a platform for young people, aged between 14 and 25, to express their views and opinions on the issues that affect them.

On the day members of RYV ran a No Knives Better Lives stand to give out information to other young people about the campaign and encourage them to sign No Knives Better Lives pledges.
RYV are planning a year of action on No Knives Better Lives and have been raising awareness of the issues associated with knife crime at local Gala days and recently marched at the Sma’ Shot day with a No Knives Better Lives banner.
The Safer and Stronger Street Football Tournament was part of the award-winning Investing in Future diversion activity project.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay said: “Investing in Future has been a massive success with these activities going out to different communities every week to provide young people with fun, healthy activities to get involved in. This was the first time we’ve had an event like this where all those activities, and more, are going to be in one place and it was a massive success.”

Investing in Futures is a partnership project supported by Renfrewshire Council, Paisley Partnership Regeneration Company, St Mirren FC, Strathclyde Police, Arriva, Scottish Football Association and Ferguslie Sports Centre.

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon said: “We were delighted to host the Street Football Tournament at St Mirren Park. Since my arrival at the Club, I have heard a lot about the amount of excellent programmes that are done by St Mirren within the local community. The Street Football programme has already been given a community award and is a fantastic programme and is well known throughout the whole Renfrewshire area.
“Over the years, football skills have been developed through practice and many a quality player has come from playing street football in their youth. St Mirren FC is delighted to be heavily involved within the programme and it is only fitting that St Mirren Park hosted this tournament.

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

Pipe bands from across Scotland will come to Paisley to compete in the town’s first ever pipe band competition.

Bands from Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew, will be up against competition from all over the country at the event in Paisley town centre on Saturday 24 July.

A procession of bands will play as they make their way down Paisley High Street from New Street to the cenotaph. They will then compete before judges in County Square.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Celia Lawson said: “Although Renfrewshire has a number of successful pipe bands this is the first time we have hosted a pipe band competition. The event will rather unusually take place in our historic town centre which will give it a unique atmosphere and give people an opportunity to watch the procession come through the town.

“The competition is less than a month before the World Pipe Band Championships so it’s a great warm up for the competitors and we expect to see some of Scotland’s best pipe bands playing in Paisley town centre.”

The event is supported by Paisley Vision Board and bands will compete for a Paisley Vision trophy.

The Paisley Pipe Band Competition takes place from 12pm – 4pm on Saturday 24 July.