Gavin Barrie: International investors beating path to Edinburgh

THERE'S never been a better time to take up the role of economy convener at Edinburgh City Council, says Gavin Barrie

An artist's impression of the Registers scheme at the east end of Princes St. Picture: supplied

MY new role got off to a flying start as around the same time the council announced the sale of Atria, our award-winning grade A office development to a global real estate investment company based in Germany for £105m.

The sale is a perfect example of successful financial forward planning and demonstrates real innovation. The council identified the need for more Grade A office space in the city centre and developed a funding package that also enabled us to cross-subsidise the cost of an expansion to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).

The fact that we have been able, once more, to attract investment into Edinburgh from a major overseas real estate company is testament to the quality of the building and its occupiers. Our plan was always to sell Atria once the development was completed and the economic conditions were right to achieve the best possible return and I believe we have achieved this.

Edinburgh’s ability to attract major investment is considerable at the moment. The council is also facilitating a new funding model with the Scottish Government, which has unlocked the £850m Edinburgh St James development.

Around £61.4m is required to improve local infrastructure and public space in the area for this major regeneration scheme and this is being funded through the innovative “Growth Accelerator Model” (GAM). This will enable a combination of public and private sector investment in local infrastructure and public space that can then be offset by increased business rate receipts and overall gains to the economy. It will also help deliver training support and employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed.

Edinburgh St James is set to transform the east end of Princes Street and is being delivered by TIAA Henderson Real Estate. Alongside Edinburgh St James, the Registers is being delivered by the Chris Stewart Group, combining more than 15,000sq ft of restaurant and bar space together with 61,000sq ft of grade A office accommodation and serviced apartments.

It was very welcome news when Chancellor George Osborne announced the start of negotiations on a City Region Deal for Edinburgh and South East Scotland. The City Region Deal is a mechanism for accelerating growth through investment in housing, innovation, skills and infrastructure. This will create a step change in economic performance, increase productivity and tackle inequality and deprivation across the city region. The deal will be a game changer for the Capital and the surrounding authorities.

On another note which relates directly to investment in Edinburgh, other evidence to show the strength of our economy is that unemployment remains extremely low and the Jobseeker’s Allowance claimant rate is currently at 1.1 per cent, which is an all-time low.

The technology cluster in the Capital is also maintaining its momentum and the quality of technology start-ups based in the city is genuinely staggering, with a significant number of these firms leading in their field.

I certainly find myself taking up this role in exciting times for Edinburgh and look forward to working with government, investors, potential investors and the business community to ensure that the economy is in an even stronger position this time next year. This is all good news for Scotland – when you add it to the fact that the Capital is the second-most prosperous city in the UK outside London and as the “Gateway to Scotland” attracts almost four million visitors each year.

• Councillor Gavin Barrie is economy convener at Edinburgh City Council.